Chimney Cleaning Before & After in Jacksonville, FL
We’ve swept chimneys in Jacksonville since 2014. After four decades, we’ve learned that showing beats telling. The photos below are the honest record of what creosote buildup, storm damage, and deferred maintenance actually look like, and what a proper chimney cleaning and repair job leaves behind. No staging, no filters. Just the work, before and after.
Recent Transformations
Heavy Stage-3 Creosote Removal, Chimney Sweep in Ortega
The homeowner in Ortega had burned unseasoned oak for three winters without a sweep. We found stage-3 glazed creosote, a genuine fire hazard, using our level-2 camera inspection. Our technician ran a rotary cleaning system with mechanical whips and poly brushes, then finished with a HEPA vacuum. The flue was clear, and the photos showed the homeowner exactly what had been lurking out of sight. Done right, and we stand behind it.
Chimney Cap Failure and Water Damage Repair, Chimney Cap & Crown in San Marco
San Marco’s older homes sit under heavy oak canopy, and when a crown cracks, water gets in fast. This flue had standing water at the smoke shelf and spalling brick at the top course. We rebuilt the crown with proper slope and drainage, installed a Gelco cap sized to the flue, and ran the camera to confirm no hidden liner damage. Most of the job was done in a single visit. The homeowner got photos, a plain-English verdict, and a dry chimney before the next storm.
Fireplace Smoke Stain Restoration, Fireplace Services in Riverside
A 1920s Riverside bungalow with a throat damper that never fully opened. Smoke rolled into the room every cold snap, staining the original brick. We cleaned the firebox with pH-neutral masonry cleaner, adjusted and lubricated the damper mechanism, and diagnosed the real culprit: an undersized flue for the fireplace opening. We installed a smoke guard to reduce the opening ratio, then tested draft with a manometer. No more stains. No more living room haze.
Clay Flue Liner Collapse, Chimney Liner & Rebuild in Mandarin
Mandarin gets more lightning strikes than most Jacksonville neighborhoods, and this chimney took a direct hit. The clay liner shattered in three places, dropping shards into the smoke chamber. We removed the debris, ran a level-2 inspection to assess structural integrity, then installed a DuraFlex 316Ti stainless steel liner with proper insulation and a new top plate. The camera run at completion showed smooth walls from firebox to cap. In writing, no arguing: the 90-Day Done Right Promise covers it.
Chimney Swift Nest Removal and Cap Installation, Chimney Cap & Crown in Avondale
Avondale’s mature tree canopy draws chimney swifts every spring. This flue had an active nest, which we could not disturb during breeding season per federal protections. We scheduled the cleaning for late August, after the swifts migrated, then removed the nest, sanitized the flue with a HEPA vacuum and antimicrobial treatment, and installed a screened Gelco cap with proper mesh sizing. The swifts found a new roost in a nearby dead oak. The homeowner got a clean flue and no more 5 a.m. chirping echoing down the fireplace.
HeatShield Flue Resurfacing, Chimney Liner & Rebuild in Springfield
Springfield’s historic homes often have flues that are structurally sound but pitted and gapped from a century of use. Full liner replacement would have been overkill here. We used HeatShield’s cerfractory resurfacing system, applied with a custom-forming plug to ensure even coverage, then verified with our camera. The result is a smooth, sealed flue surface rated to 2900°F, with none of the demolition a full rebuild would have required. A square deal: no surprises on the bill, and the job was finished before noon.
What These Jobs Have in Common
Every one started with a level-2 camera inspection. Every one ended with photos the homeowner could see and a plain-English verdict. Every technician was background-checked, uniformed, and working with professional-grade materials from DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield. No builder-grade substitutes. No hidden charges.
We’ve been sweeping chimneys in Jacksonville for over 42 years. We’ll be here in thirty more. That changes how you do the work.
Want Results Like These?
Call (833) 974-6113 and a live person will answer, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’ll schedule your level-2 inspection, show you what we find, and give you no-hassle upfront pricing. The number on the estimate is the number on the invoice. Ask about our $89 Seasonal Tune-Up, $50 off any repair over $250, or our permanent 5% Senior and Veteran discount. We’ll be there when we say.
Written by Dale Brinson, Owner & Master Sweep at Hearthstone Chimney Co. of Jacksonville, serving Jacksonville since 2014.