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 Bangor, PA
We’ve been cleaning chimneys in Bangor and the Slate Belt since 1984. After 42 years, we’ve learned that showing a homeowner what came out of their flue, or what a liner actually looks like from the inside, does more than any sales pitch ever could. The photos below are the work we do, plain and simple.
Recent Transformations
Stage-3 Glazed Creosote Removal, Upper Mount Bethel
The homeowner in Upper Mount Bethel had been burning seasoned hardwood for fifteen years without a sweep. Our level-2 camera inspection showed stage-3 glazed creosote, a hard, tar-like coating that standard brushing won’t touch. We applied a professional-grade creosote modifier, let it work, then used mechanical chain flailing to break the glaze before a full power sweep. The flue was clean enough to inspect properly, and the photos showed the homeowner exactly why their fireplace had been smoking into the room on cold starts.
Chimney Fire Recovery & Flue Restoration, Plainfield Township
A family in Plainfield Township called after a chimney fire that had self-extinguished, though they didn’t realize that’s what happened until we showed them the evidence. The flue tiles were cracked and spalled, with heavy thermal shock staining visible on the camera. We performed a full post-fire assessment sweep, removed all loose debris, and documented every crack with photos the homeowner could see. Because we could show them the damage, they understood why we recommended a stainless steel liner from Olympia Chimney rather than just another cleaning next year.
Neglected Oil-to-Gas Conversion Flue, Bangor Borough
This Bangor Borough row home had its oil furnace swapped for gas in the early 2000s, but nobody told the chimney it needed attention. The sulfur compounds from forty years of oil burning had left a corrosive, powdery residue that gas exhaust alone couldn’t clear. We swept the entire flue, removed the acidic deposits, and ran our camera to check for mortar joint deterioration. The homeowner got photos of what we found, a plain-English verdict on whether the flue could handle modern gas appliances, and a clear answer on whether work could wait or needed doing now.
Exterior Stain & Efflorescence Cleaning, Wind Gap
A Wind Gap homeowner called worried about white powder blooming on their chimney breast inside the attic and black streaks running down the exterior brick. The efflorescence meant water was moving through the masonry, carrying salts with it. We cleaned the exterior to expose the actual brick and mortar condition, then swept the flue and inspected with the camera to rule out an internal leak source. The cleaning itself was diagnostic, not cosmetic. Once the stains were gone, the real problem, a cracked crown we could now see clearly, was obvious in the photos.
Prefabricated Fireplace Factory Build-Up Removal, Lower Mount Bethel
Prefabricated fireplaces in Lower Mount Bethel and across Northampton County don’t have the thermal mass of masonry, so they run hotter and foul faster when neglected. This unit hadn’t been opened in eight years. The firebox was packed with ash past the grate level, and the combustion air intake was choked with dust and animal debris. We disassembled the accessible components, swept the metal flue with brushes sized for the smaller diameter, and cleaned the firebox to bare metal. The homeowner watched as we ran the camera up the chase, showing them the difference between a clean metal flue and the corroded sections that would need monitoring.
Seasonal Tune-Up & Safety Inspection, Roseto
A Roseto couple booked our $89 Seasonal Tune-Up before their first fire of the year, which is the timing we recommend for every wood-burning household in Bangor and the surrounding Slate Belt. The flue had standard seasonal soot, plus a bird nest partial obstruction we found two feet down from the top. We swept the flue, removed the nest, checked the damper operation, and ran the camera to confirm no hidden issues. They got their photos, their plain-English verdict, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what shape their chimney was in before the first cold snap.
What Every Project Has in Common
Whether we’re dealing with forty years of neglect or a routine seasonal sweep, our process doesn’t change. Russell Haines started Hearthstone Chimney Co. in 1984 with the idea that a homeowner deserves to see what we see. Every job gets a level-2 camera inspection. Every customer gets photos they can understand and a verdict they can act on. Every estimate is the final number on the invoice, no surprises. And every piece of work is backed by our 90-Day Done Right Promise, in writing, no arguing.
We use professional-grade materials from DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield because builder-grade substitutes fail faster and cost more in the long run. Our technicians are background-checked and uniformed, and most jobs finish in a single visit. When you call (610) 609-7634, a live person answers, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Want Results Like These?
If your chimney hasn’t been swept in the last twelve months, or if you’re seeing smoke where it shouldn’t be, call (610) 609-7634. We’ll book a time that works, show up when we say, and leave you with photos you can see and a verdict you can trust. Estimates are free, and the number we quote is the number on the bill. Done right, and we stand behind it.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Bangor and the Slate Belt since 1984.