Frequently Asked Questions

We lay drop cloths, set up a HEPA vacuum, and run brushes up the flue to remove creosote and soot deposits. The whole process takes 45 minutes to 90 minutes depending on how dirty the system is and whether we need to address the smoke chamber or firebox. Afterward, we walk you through what we found, show you the photos, and give you a written condition report. In Attleboro's older neighborhoods like Hebronville and South Attleboro, we often find pre-1980s clay flue tiles that need closer camera inspection.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual inspection, with cleaning as needed based on use and fuel type. If you're burning seasoned hardwood four or more nights per week through a New England winter, plan on a sweep every year. Occasional fireplace users in Attleboro can sometimes stretch to every two years, but we still want eyes on it annually. The freeze-thaw cycles in southeastern Massachusetts are hard on masonry, and a yearly check catches crown cracks before water gets in.

A routine sweep takes about an hour. If we need to run a level-2 camera inspection down the flue, or if we're dealing with a heavily glazed creosote buildup common in older Woonsocket and Valley Falls homes, plan on up to two hours. We don't rush. The 400th job gets the care of the first, and we'd rather take the time to do it right than leave you wondering what we missed.

No. We seal the fireplace opening with a commercial vacuum attachment and lay protective sheeting across the work path. The HEPA system captures particulates before they reach your living space. We've swept chimneys in finished basements in Cumberland Hill and historic parlors in Blackstone, and we treat your home the way we'd work in our mother's - covered, contained, and cleaner than we found it.

We see this regularly in Attleboro, especially in homes that changed hands without disclosure of chimney maintenance. Heavy buildup doesn't scare us, but it does change how we approach the job. Stage-three glazed creosote may require chemical treatment before mechanical removal, and we'll tell you that upfront, not after we've started. In some cases, a neglected flue reveals hidden damage that only a camera inspection can properly assess. We'll show you exactly what we're dealing with before recommending next steps.

We source quality components from established manufacturers including Gelco, Olympia Chimney, and Famco. Gelco's stainless caps hold up well against the salt air that drifts inland from Narragansett Bay toward our Attleboro-area customers. Olympia Chimney supplies liner systems we trust for relining jobs in the tighter flue dimensions common in pre-war homes around Wrentham and Plainville. We don't install whatever's cheapest; we install what we'd put in our own homes.

Yes, Copperfield is among the suppliers we draw from for specialty items like top-sealing dampers and certain custom-fabricated flashing solutions. Their components integrate well with the masonry repair work we do on Attleboro's older colonials and capes. Every part we install is covered under our workmanship guarantee, backed by the manufacturer's warranty where applicable.

We carry a range of brick, mortar tint, and crown repair compounds to blend repairs with your existing chimney. In neighborhoods like Attleboro's historic district, matching century-old mortar color and texture matters. We take photos, source appropriate materials, and don't declare a job finished until the repair disappears into the original construction. Krafted right means it looks like it was always there.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires, and we prioritize CSIA-certified sweeps for inspection and cleaning work. Certification matters because chimney systems involve combustion safety, structural integrity, and proper clearances to combustibles. In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where we serve customers from Attleboro to Cumberland, codes vary by jurisdiction, and our people know the local requirements.

We carry general liability and workers' compensation coverage as required for chimney service work. When we send someone up on your roof in Attleboro's icy Decembers or up a ladder in a tight Woonsocket side yard, that coverage protects you and our crew. We'll provide proof of insurance upon request - no paperwork, no arguing.

Routine cleaning doesn't require a permit. Structural repairs, liner replacements, and certain crown rebuilds may need permitting through the Attleboro Building Department, and we handle that paperwork as part of the job. If you're in North Attleborough, Mansfield, or across the line in Cumberland, the permitting authority changes, and we file accordingly. You won't need to navigate town hall yourself.

Call us at (508) 545-9737 immediately - this can indicate a blocked flue, negative pressure issue, or downdraft pulling chimney odors into your living space. Don't use the fireplace until we've inspected it. In Attleboro's tighter new construction and well-sealed retrofits, modern HVAC systems sometimes create pressure imbalances that reverse normal airflow patterns. We'll diagnose whether it's a mechanical issue, a blockage from debris or animal nesting, or a structural problem with the flue.

Yes, we handle nuisance animal removal and install proper screening to prevent recurrence. Raccoons, squirrels, and chimney swifts are common intruders in Attleboro's tree-lined neighborhoods and rural edges toward Norfolk and Bellingham. We remove the animal humanely, inspect for damage to the flue liner, and fit a cap with the correct mesh size for your fuel type. A capped chimney is a protected chimney.

If you suspect an active chimney fire - roaring noise, dense smoke, hot exterior masonry, or flames visible at the top - call 911 first, then call us. After the fire department clears the scene, we perform a level-2 inspection to assess structural damage and determine whether the flue is safe for continued use. We've inspected post-fire chimneys across the Attleboro area, and the damage isn't always visible from the outside. Camera documentation tells the real story.

The phone is answered 24/7. A live coordinator takes your call and connects you with the local team. For true emergencies, we'll prioritize getting someone to you. For routine scheduling, we'll book you at the next available appointment that works for your calendar. We'll be there when we say.

The Keystone Standard applies to every job we do: 90 days, in writing, no arguing. If something we repaired or installed isn't right, we come back and fix it. No paperwork battles, no runaround. This guarantee comes from Hearthstone Chimney Co., the established brand behind our Attleboro branch, and it's stamped on every page of our site for a reason. Standing behind it is one of our K.E.Y.S. values, and we mean it.

We document everything with photos, explain the issue in plain English, and provide a written estimate for the repair work. Some conditions, like a deteriorated flue liner or significant masonry spalling, require scheduling a return visit with the right materials and crew. We never invent urgency. If a condition can safely wait until next season, we'll tell you that plainly. Your home first means honest counsel, not pressure.

Yes, components from Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and other manufacturers carry their own warranties, which we pass through to you with documentation. Stainless steel liner systems often carry lifetime warranties when properly installed. Our workmanship covers the installation itself under The Keystone Standard. If a part fails and it's a manufacturer issue, we handle the claim; if it's an installation issue, we handle the fix. Either way, you're not caught between two companies pointing at each other.

The Keystone Standard covers the specific work performed at the specific address for the 90-day period. Manufacturer warranties on liners and caps typically transfer to subsequent homeowners with proper documentation, which we provide at installation. If you're preparing an Attleboro home for sale and want a clean inspection report to show buyers, schedule a sweep and level-2 inspection. The documentation we provide often satisfies buyer concerns and can smooth the closing process.

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