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.
Famco Chimney Liner & Rebuild in Bangor: What to Know First
We provide independent Famco chimney liner and rebuild service in Bangor, with most liner replacements and partial rebuilds completed in a single visit and priced upfront before any work begins. A typical Famco stainless steel liner replacement runs $2,800-$4,200 in the Bangor market, depending on flue height and condition. We are not affiliated with or authorized by Famco; we are an independent Famco service provider who sources professional-grade parts and stands behind the installation with our 90-Day Done Right Promise in writing.
This page is for Bangor homeowners who already have a Famco liner, cap, or venting component and have been told it needs repair or replacement. Maybe you got a second opinion that felt pushy. Maybe you are trying to figure out whether the liner is actually failed or just dirty. Call (610) 609-7634 and a live person will answer, 24 hours a day.
How Famco Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Famco SL-series flexible liners crack at the flex points after 15-20 years of Bangor freeze-thaw cycling. The SL line uses a lighter-gauge corrugated wall that fatigues where the chimney shifts slightly on century-old Bangor stone foundations. We pull a camera first, map every crack, and replace with a heavier-gauge DuraFlex or Gelco equivalent sized to the appliance, not the old collar.
- Famco rigid stainless elbows in the RFL line corrode from the inside out when oil appliances vent slightly wet. Bangor’s hard water and sulfur-heavy No. 2 heating oil accelerate this. The elbow looks fine from the outside until it pinholes. We cut in a replacement elbow with a condensate drain tee, or switch the run to an all-flexible liner if the offset geometry allows.
- Famco top-mount dampers seize in the open position on chimneys that never got swept. The cast-aluminum frame warps from heat cycling, and the stainless cable frays where it passes through the smoke shelf. We remove the damper, document the flue condition with photos you can see, and either rebuild the frame with a Copperfield replacement or recommend a full liner if the flue is too damaged to seal.
- Famco wind-directional caps on tall Bangor chimneys lose their collar grip and spin freely. The set-screws back out from vibration, and the cap becomes a hood ornament that blocks half the flue. We replace with a Gelco or Olympia Chimney cap with a positive-lock band and stainless hardware, or rebuild the top flue tile if the collar has ground it oval.
- Famco transitional connectors between liner and appliance fail at the crimp joint where DIY installers overtightened the worm clamp. The crimp cracks, and combustion gases leak into the basement. We fabricate a proper tailpiece with an expansion joint, seal it with high-temp silicone rated to 600°F, and test with a smoke pencil while the appliance runs.
Our Famco Chimney Liner & Rebuild Process
- 1
Call and schedule. A live person answers at (610) 609-7634, 24/7. We book a Level-2 camera inspection, not a sales visit.
- 2
Inspect and document. Our technician runs a camera the full length of your Famco liner, takes photos of every defect, and gives you a plain-English verdict. You see what we see. No guessing.
- 3
Parts decision. If Famco OEM is available and makes sense, we quote it. If lead times are long or the part is discontinued, we specify a professional-grade equivalent from DuraFlex, HeatShield, or Gelco that matches or exceeds the original spec. The choice is yours, and the price is fixed before we start.
- 4
Repair or rebuild. Our background-checked, uniformed tech completes most Famco liner replacements and partial rebuilds in a single visit. We protect your floors, work clean, and do not leave until the smoke test passes.
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Test and guarantee. We pressure-test or smoke-test every joint, verify draft with a manometer, and leave you with photos, a written report, and our 90-Day Done Right Promise. If it is not right, we come back. In writing, no arguing.
What Famco Chimney Liner & Rebuild Costs in Bangor
These are real numbers for the Bangor market, based on jobs we have completed in the last two years:
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Famco flexible liner replacement (single flue, standard height) | $2,800 - $4,200 |
| Famco rigid liner replacement with offset elbows | $3,500 - $5,500 |
| Partial chimney rebuild (top 4-6 courses + crown) | $1,800 - $3,200 |
| Full chimney rebuild (above roofline) | $6,500 - $11,000 |
| Famco top-mount damper rebuild or replacement | $650 - $1,400 |
| Liner repair (spot weld, sleeve, or HeatShield resurfacing) | $1,200 - $2,800 |
What moves the price: flue height above roofline, number of offsets or elbows, whether the existing liner is stuck and must be cut out, and condition of the surrounding masonry. We do not recommend work without camera evidence you can see for yourself. Call (610) 609-7634 for an exact quote. Estimates are free.
Why Bangor Homeowners Call Hearthstone Chimney Co. for Famco Work
We have been answering the phone with a live person for over 42 years. Our 90-Day Done Right Promise is backed in writing with no paperwork and no arguing. Russell Haines and our techs know Famco products from hands-on work across Bangor, including the tight flues and odd offsets common in homes near the Bangor Borough Historic District.
We also stock and service DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, and Copperfield. If your Famco part is discontinued or the wait is unreasonable, we have a professional-grade path forward that same day. Most jobs finish in one visit. The number on the estimate is the number on the invoice. A clean flue does not need a sales pitch.
FAQs
Original Famco warranties on liners and components typically expire after 10-15 years and are not transferable to a new owner; repair by an independent service provider does not void an expired warranty, and any remaining coverage would require Famco OEM parts installed to factory spec, which we can source when it makes sense. Call (610) 609-7634 and we will check your install date and advise honestly.
Most Famco flexible liner replacements are completed in four to six hours from arrival to final smoke test, with the technician staying until the job is done. Rigid liner jobs with multiple offsets or a full chimney rebuild may take a full day or require a second day for mortar cure before final testing. We tell you the timeline upfront, not after we are in your living room.
We source Famco OEM when it is available and competitively lead-timed; when a part is discontinued or back-ordered, we specify a professional-grade equivalent from DuraFlex, HeatShield, or Gelco that meets or exceeds the original specification, and we show you the comparison before you decide. You choose. We do not substitute without your knowledge.
A liner needs replacement when camera inspection shows through-wall cracks, separation at joints, or corrosion holes that compromise containment; surface staining or light creosote without structural damage can often be addressed with a HeatShield resurfacing or thorough sweeping. We show you the photos and explain which category you are in, with no pressure to choose the more expensive option.
A failed liner allows combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, to leak into wall cavities and living spaces, and creosote can reach combustible framing if the liner no longer contains it; the risk is real but not an emergency unless the appliance is actively in use with a known breach. We prioritize by hazard level, and if the work can safely wait until after heating season, we say so plainly. Call (610) 609-7634 for a camera inspection and an honest timeline.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner, Hearthstone Chimney Co. at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Bangor and nearby areas.





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