Level 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterChimney Cleaning Before & After in Towson, MD
We’ve been sweeping chimneys in Towson since 1984. After 42 years, we’ve learned that homeowners don’t need more adjectives. They need to see what a proper cleaning actually looks like, what creosote buildup does to a flue, and what the difference is between a fireplace that works and one that’s waiting to cause a problem. The photos below are from real jobs our technicians completed in Towson and the surrounding Baltimore County neighborhoods. Each one tells the story of what we found, what we did, and how the homeowner’s system looked when we finished.
Recent Transformations
Heavy Stage 3 Creosote Removal, Towson Rowhouse Flue
The homeowner on Allegheny Avenue smelled something acrid every time they ran their gas insert. Our Level-2 camera inspection showed glazed creosote nearly an inch thick in spots, baked to a tar-like finish from years of intermittent use without regular sweeping. This is the stuff that chimney fires are made of, and in a Towson rowhouse with shared walls, that risk travels. We applied a professional-grade creosote modifier, mechanically cleaned the flue with rotary chains and whips, and ran the camera again. The after photos show terracotta liner you can actually see, with the glaze completely removed. The homeowner now books us every September before the first fire.
Firebox Rebuild with HeatShield, Ruxton Ranch Home
This Ruxton ranch had a firebox that looked fine from the living room. The camera told a different story. Heat had eroded the mortar joints to powder, and several firebricks had hairline cracks that would have let combustion gases into the wall cavity. We don’t guess at this. We showed the homeowner the photos, explained that a firebox in this condition can leak carbon monoxide into the house, and gave them two options: a full rebuild or a HeatShield cerfractory resurfacing. They chose HeatShield. We applied the professional-grade refractory coating to manufacturer spec, cured it properly, and the firebox now has a smooth, continuous surface rated to the temperatures this fireplace sees. Photos after the job show a uniform, sealed firebox with no gaps or cracks.
Chimney Cap and Crown Replacement, West Towson Colonial
Water is what kills chimneys in Towson faster than anything else. This West Towson colonial had a concrete crown cracked clean through, a galvanized cap that had rusted to lace, and brick spalling on three sides from years of freeze-thaw damage. The homeowner thought they might need a rebuild. Our camera inspection showed the flue liner was intact and the structure was sound. We replaced the crown with a new concrete pour sloped for drainage, installed a Gelco stainless steel cap with proper overhang and mesh screening, and repointed the spalled brick with color-matched mortar. The after photos show a chimney that sheds water instead of absorbing it. That cap will outlast the homeowner’s mortgage.
Chimney Liner Installation, Rodgers Forge Cape Cod
The inspector for this Rodgers Forge home sale flagged the chimney. Original clay flue tiles from 1952 had shifted, cracked, and in one section, fallen away entirely. The seller called us for a second opinion, which we provide free on any written estimate. We ran the camera, showed them the footage, and explained the options. A full rebuild wasn’t necessary. We installed a DuraFlex stainless steel liner, properly sized for the appliance, with a top plate and insulation pack to meet NFPA 211 standards. The installation photos show the liner suspended correctly, the top plate sealed, and the connection to the appliance collar solid. The home sold two weeks later with a clean inspection report.
Annual Sweep and Inspection, Towson Gables Townhome
Not every job is a disaster. This Towson Gables townhome gets swept every year like clockwork. The before photos show exactly what you’d expect: a light coating of soot and early-stage creosote from a season of weekend fires. We rotary swept the flue, inspected the liner with our camera, checked the damper operation and cap condition, and provided the homeowner with photos and a written condition report. The after photos show a flue that’s clean, inspectable, and ready for another season. This is what prevention looks like. It’s cheaper than repair, faster than remediation, and it’s how you avoid being the emergency call in January.
Smoke Chamber Parging, Stoneleigh Historic Home
Stoneleigh has some of the oldest housing stock in Towson, and this 1920s colonial was no exception. The smoke chamber, the area above the damper that funnels smoke into the flue, was built with corbeled brick and never properly parged. The rough surface created turbulence that pushed smoke back into the house during certain wind conditions. Our camera inspection documented the problem, and we showed the homeowner exactly what was happening. We parged the smoke chamber with HeatShield, smoothing the transition and sealing the brick. The after photos show a smooth, sloped surface that draws properly. No more smoke in the living room. No more guessing.
Want Results Like These?
Every job you see above started with a phone call and a camera inspection. We’ll show you exactly what your chimney looks like inside, explain what it means in plain English, and give you a written estimate with no surprises on the bill. Most jobs are completed in a single visit by our background-checked, uniformed technicians. Call (443) 785-3816 anytime. A live person answers, 24 hours a day, every day. Or stop by if you’re in Towson. We’ve been here since 1984, and we plan to be here thirty more.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Towson since 1984.