Frequently Asked Questions

We set up drop cloths, run a rotary sweep system from the firebox up (or from the roof down, depending on the chimney), and then send a camera through the flue to inspect every surface. The whole process takes 60 to 90 minutes for a standard fireplace chimney. You'll get photos of the flue interior, the smoke chamber, and the firebox, plus a written report noting any defects, creosote buildup level, and recommendations ranked by urgency.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual inspection, with sweeping as needed. In practice, most Ashburn homeowners who burn regularly - three or more times a week through winter - need a sweep every year. Occasional users can often go two years between sweeps, but the inspection should still happen annually. Ashburn's freeze-thaw cycles are hard on masonry, and we've found cracked crowns and deteriorated mortar in chimneys that were "fine" the year before.

creosote buildup increases fire risk. A chimney fire can reach 2,000 degrees and damage the flue liner, nearby framing, or roofing materials. Blocked or partially obstructed flues can also force carbon monoxide back into the home. In Ashburn's older neighborhoods like Belmont, we've seen squirrels build nests in uncapped flues and moisture damage accelerate through winters. The cost of prevention is modest. The cost of remediation, or worse, is not.

Clear the hearth area of decorations, fireplace tools, and ashes if possible. We'll need access to the roof, so please unlock gates and secure pets. The work is contained - we use HEPA vacuums and drop cloths - but some fine soot is unavoidable. We schedule Ashburn appointments Monday through Saturday during our regular hours, and we'll give you a two-hour window the day before.

Summer is actually ideal. We're less busy, so you'll get your preferred date, and any repairs we find can be scheduled before burning season. Waiting until October means joining the rush. We've had Ashburn homeowners call in November with a cold snap coming, only to learn their liner is compromised and needs work they can't get scheduled for three weeks. Beat the rush. Call (571) 701-8135.

We specify DuraFlex stainless steel liners for most relining jobs in Ashburn - the flex handles offsets well in older chimneys common in Sterling and Herndon. For rigid applications and certain factory-built installations, we'll use Olympia Chimney components. We also source Famco caps and dampers for replacement work. Every part is listed to UL standards and matched to your specific appliance and fuel type. No shortcuts on materials. That's Krafted right.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no, and we'll show you which. Clay tile liners crack from thermal shock or settle with the house. In Ashburn's 1980s and 90s subdivisions, we've seen unlined chimneys that were never up to code for gas appliances later installed. A camera inspection reveals the truth. If the tiles are sound and the joints are tight, you don't need one. If they're cracked, glazed, or missing, we'll explain the risk and give you a written quote. No pressure. Evidence first.

The crown is the concrete or mortar slab at the top of a masonry chimney that sheds water. The chase cover is the metal lid on a factory-built (prefab) chimney chase. The cap sits above the flue opening, screening out rain, animals, and debris while letting smoke escape. In Ashburn, we've replaced dozens of rusted chase covers in Cascades and rusted caps in South Riding that were letting water straight into the flue. Each component has a specific job, and we'll tell you which one is actually failing on yours.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires, and we carry general liability and workers' compensation coverage for the work itself. Russell Haines, who leads our Ashburn branch, ensures ongoing training in NFPA 211 standards and CSIA sweep methods. We document every inspection with photos and a written report because that's how professionals work. You'll get our insurance certificate on request, no hassle.

CSIA stands for Chimney Safety Institute of America, the industry standard for sweep training and certification. It covers chimney physics, building codes, fire safety, and proper inspection methods. Our sweeps either hold current CSIA certification or are working toward it under direct supervision. The certification matters because chimney work involves combustion safety, structural evaluation, and clearances to combustibles - not just brushing out soot.

Most chimney repairs and liner replacements do require a permit from Loudoun County Building Services, and we handle that paperwork as part of the job. Simple sweeps and inspections typically don't. When we recommend work, we'll tell you whether permitting applies and what the timeline looks like. We've worked with Loudoun County inspectors for twelve years, so we know the process and the local amendments to the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code.

Call the fire department first if you suspect an active fire - you'll often hear a roaring or rumbling sound, see dense smoke, or smell intense heat from the chimney structure. After the fire is out and the chimney has cooled, call us at (571) 701-8135 for a level-2 inspection before using the fireplace again. Even a small chimney fire can crack flue tiles or damage the liner, creating hidden hazards for the next burn. We'll inspect, document, and tell you what needs to happen before the hearth is safe again.

No. Extinguish the fire if it's safe to do so, and don't use the fireplace again until it's been inspected. Smoke in the living space means something is wrong with draft, blockage, or flue integrity. In Ashburn's tighter new construction, especially in Brambleton and South Riding, we've seen negative pressure from exhaust fans pull smoke back down the chimney. But it could also be a blocked flue or cracked liner. We'll find out which, and we'll show you the camera footage so you understand.

We're available Saturday from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM, and weekdays from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM. We don't offer after-hours emergency dispatch, but we do prioritize suspected chimney fire follow-ups and carbon monoxide concerns within our operating hours. For true emergencies - active fire, CO detector alarm - call 911 first, then call us to schedule the inspection.

Every job is backed by the Keystone Standard: 90 days, in writing, no arguing. If something we did isn't right, we come back and fix it. No paperwork battle, no runaround. For liner installations and major repairs, specific material warranties from manufacturers like DuraFlex or Olympia Chimney apply as well - typically 10 years to lifetime depending on the product. We'll explain both guarantees before you sign anything.

The Keystone Standard covers our workmanship for 90 days from completion. If a cap we installed leaks, a liner shifts, or mortar we repointed fails, we return and make it right at no charge. It doesn't cover new damage from weather, chimney fires after our work, or issues in areas we didn't service. We spell this out plainly because Standing behind it means no surprises later. You'll get the terms in writing with every invoice.

We guarantee our work meets current code and NFPA standards. If a home inspector flags something we repaired or installed within the 90-day Keystone Standard window, we'll address it. That said, home inspectors sometimes note issues outside the scope of work we were hired for - a roof pitch problem, for instance, or a clearance issue with a wood stove installation done by someone else. We'll review the report with you and tell you what's ours to fix and what isn't.

Get a second opinion. We're confident in our assessments because we show you the camera footage, but we never want a homeowner to feel pressured. We've had Ashburn clients bring another sweep's report back to us, and sometimes we agree with their assessment, sometimes we don't - but we always explain our reasoning with the evidence in front of us. A square deal means you understand what you're paying for and why. If you're not ready to proceed, we'll note the condition and schedule a follow-up inspection when you are.

Call (571) 701-8135 during our regular hours and our live coordinator will find a time that works. We'll confirm your address, ask about the appliance type and any symptoms you've noticed, and give you a flat price before we book. We serve Ashburn, Sterling, Cascades, Herndon, Great Falls, South Riding, Brambleton, Belmont, Reston, Chantilly, Wolf Trap, and Oakton. We'll be there when we say.

Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Ashburn since 2014.