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 Newton, MA
We’ve cleaned chimneys in Newton since 1984. A photo of what came out of the flue tells you more than any paragraph we could write. Below you’ll find real jobs we’ve completed across Newton neighborhoods, from heavy creosote buildup to blockages that were putting families at risk. When the photos go up, you’ll see the difference. For now, here’s what happened.
Recent Transformations
Heavy Creosote Removal, Newton Centre Colonial
The homeowner in Newton Centre smelled something acrid every time they ran their fireplace. We found Stage 3 glazed creosote, a hard, tar-like deposit that brushes won’t touch, coating more than half the flue. Our technician applied a professional-grade creosote modifier, then power-brushed the entire run with a mechanical whip system. The flue went from roughly 60% obstructed to full passage. No more smell. No more risk of a chimney fire.
Chimney Sweep After Years of Neglect, Nonantum Ranch
This Nonantum property hadn’t had a sweep in eleven years. The flue was packed with compacted soot, leaf debris from a missing cap, and what turned out to be a partially collapsed bird nest. We removed the obstruction, swept the entire system with a rotary brush and HEPA vacuum containment, then ran our camera to document the full length. The homeowner got photos they could see and a plain-English verdict: the flue was sound, but the missing cap had to be addressed. We installed a Gelco stainless cap the same visit.
Glazed Creosote Treatment, Oak Hill Victorian
The Oak Hill homeowner burned seasoned hardwood exclusively and assumed they were fine. Glazed creosote doesn’t care about your wood source if the flue runs cool enough. We found a glassy black coating that would have ignited at approximately 1,000 degrees, well within normal operating temperatures. Our technician applied HeatShield’s creosote treatment compound, let it dwell, then mechanically stripped the glaze with a chain whip. The flue tiles underneath were intact and properly sealed. Camera photos went to the homeowner before we packed up.
Blocked Flue From Animal Intrusion, Newton Highlands
The Newton Highlands call came in late October, right before burning season. Smoke was backing up into the living room. We found a squirrel nest built above the smoke shelf, packed with leaves, twigs, and cached acorns from the oak canopy overhead. The animal had accessed through a deteriorated terra cotta flue top. We extracted the nest by hand, swept the system, and documented with our Level-2 camera. The flue was structurally sound, so we installed a DuraFlex stainless steel cap with integrated animal guard. No more squirrels. No more smoke.
Prefabricated Fireplace Deep Clean, Chestnut Hill
This Chestnut Hill home had a prefabricated metal fireplace, the kind built into many homes from the 1980s and 90s. The baffle system above the firebox was choked with soot, causing poor draft and smoke stains on the facing. Prefab units have specific clearance requirements and can’t be cleaned like masonry systems. Our technician disassembled the baffle assembly per manufacturer guidelines, cleaned each component, and reassembled with proper spacing. The unit drafted correctly for the first time in two seasons. We left the photos and a written condition report.
Fireplace Smoke Chamber Parging, Newtonville
The Newtonville homeowner had smoke spillage every time they opened the loading door, even with a supposedly good draft. Our camera inspection revealed a smoke chamber with extreme corbeling, the stepped brick construction common in older Newton homes, creating turbulence that killed upward flow. We applied HeatShield’s smoke chamber parging compound, smoothing the walls to the proper 45-degree transition. The difference was immediate and dramatic. No more smoke in the room. The parging carries our 90-Day Done Right Promise, in writing.
Want Results Like These?
Every job above started with a call to (857) 754-5607. A live person answers, 24 hours a day. We’ll book your inspection, show you what we find with photos you can see, and give you a plain-English verdict. No surprises on the bill. The number on the estimate is the number on the invoice. Russell Haines and our team have served Newton and surrounding communities for over 42 years, and we plan to be here for thirty more. Done right, and we stand behind it.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Newton since 1984.