Chimney Services
Inspections, Cleaning & Repairs
Chimney Care
Older brick homes carry decades of use through their chimneys. That history shows up as creosote buildup, cracked mortar, and liners that need attention before heating season starts. At PN Masonry Co., we handle chimney inspections, cleaning, crack repair, cap replacement, and full relining.
We’re available year-round, but most Franklin Park homeowners book in late summer or early fall. As a licensed masonry contractor, we handle both the chimney structure and the flue — you don’t need two separate contractors.
Get in touch!
Creosote Buildup Is the Most Common Chimney Problem Homeowners Face
If you use a wood-burning fireplace or insert, creosote is your biggest risk. Every fire leaves residue behind. Over time, that residue hardens into a black, flammable layer inside your flue. A chimney fire can start with very little warning.
Removing creosote protects your home and keeps your flue drawing correctly. Our sweep takes 45 to 90 minutes. While we’re in there, we also check the flue liner, cap, and damper.
Many homes near Belmont Avenue in Franklin Park have original clay tile liners. These older liners hold glaze-stage creosote more than modern systems do. Dry chemical treatments work on light deposits. Thick, glazed buildup needs hands-on scraping by a certified sweep — that’s us.
Chimneys in Franklin Park Should Be Inspected at Least Once a Year
Annual inspection applies to every flue in your home — wood-burning fireplace, wood stove, gas furnace, or boiler vent. Each one needs a check before you rely on it.
A yearly inspection catches cracks, blockages, and animal nests before they become heating-season problems. We perform Level 1 visual inspections for most homeowners. If your chimney hasn’t been checked in several years, a Level 2 camera scan of the flue interior gives a clearer picture.
Franklin Park’s winters create repeated freeze-thaw cycles. That movement breaks down mortar joints faster than in milder climates. Fall is the right time to inspect — before the cold sets in and before you start lighting fires.
Most Chimneys Last 50–100 Years With Proper Masonry Upkeep
A chimney that’s well-maintained can outlast the rest of the house. One that’s ignored will need major work well before that. The difference comes down to regular tuckpointing, waterproofing, and catching small problems early.
When we evaluate your chimney, we look at the crown, flashing, brick face, and flue liner. Each part tells us something different about remaining life and what needs attention now.
Many homes in the Leyden Township area were built in the 1940s and 1960s. Those chimneys are at or past the point where a first serious service is due. Don’t let the exterior fool you — a chimney can look solid from the ground while the liner inside has already failed. Interior inspection is the only way to know.
Chimney Repairs That Require a Masonry Contractor — Not a DIY Fix
Some chimney work is safe to handle yourself. Most is not. Knowing the difference protects your home and keeps you out of trouble with local code.
You can safely replace a chimney cap, adjust a damper, or apply caulk along the edges of flashing. That’s where DIY stops. Flue relining, crown rebuilds, firebox reconstruction, and full flashing replacement all require a licensed masonry contractor.
In Illinois, flue relining may require a permit depending on your municipality. Franklin Park follows local fire codes that apply to this work. We pull the right permits and do the job correctly the first time. Don’t start a repair that requires a permit without checking first.
The 2-10 Rule Determines Safe Chimney Height Above Your Roofline
If you're adding a wood stove, rebuilding a chimney, or your home inspector flagged a height issue, the 2-10 rule applies to you. It's a straightforward standard that affects draft, smoke control, and safety.
The rule says your chimney must extend at least 2 feet above anything within 10 horizontal feet of it. That includes your roofline, adjacent walls, and nearby structures. When this measurement is off, smoke backs up into your living space and your fireplace won’t draw correctly.
Ranch-style homes in Franklin Park often have flat or low-slope roofs. That roof profile frequently triggers the 10-foot rule and requires a taller flue extension than the homeowner expects. We measure the rise and horizontal clearance and tell you exactly what’s needed before any work starts.
When Homeowners Insurance Covers Chimney Damage — and When It Doesn't
If your chimney was damaged by a storm, lightning, or a falling tree, your homeowners insurance policy may cover the repair. If it deteriorated over time from lack of maintenance, it probably won't. The distinction matters before you file a claim.
Cook County gets its share of hail and wind storms. Cap and crown damage from those events typically falls under dwelling coverage. Our job is to give you a written inspection report with photos that documents exactly what happened and when.
Here’s how the coverage line usually breaks down:
• Covered: Sudden storm damage, lightning strikes, falling trees or limbs
• Not covered: Gradual wear, deferred maintenance, cracks that existed before the event
Get our inspection report before you call your adjuster. An adjuster who sees documentation before they inspect is more likely to process your claim without dispute. We serve Franklin Park homeowners through the whole process — inspection, report, and repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your chimney likely needs cleaning if you smell smoke in the house, notice poor draft, see visible black soot around the firebox, or if it’s been more than 12 months since your last service. Any one of these signs is enough to schedule a sweep.
Yes — as a masonry contractor, we inspect all flue types, including oil, gas, and wood-burning systems. You don’t need a separate contractor for your furnace vent.
Creosote builds to fire-hazard levels, mortar joints crack further, and animals can nest inside the flue. All of these problems get worse the longer they sit — and more expensive to fix.
No. Our certified sweeps use drop cloths and HEPA vacuums. When we leave, there’s no soot or debris left behind in your living space.
We check the crown, cap, flashing, firebox, damper, flue liner, mortar joints, and any signs of water getting in. Each part of the system gets looked at before we give you a report.
No. A blocked flue or cracked liner can push carbon monoxide into your home. Get the inspection done first — then light the fire.
Get a Free Quote
Keep your Franklin Park chimney safe, efficient, and ready for every heating season. Schedule a professional inspection or cleaning with PN Masonry Co. today, and let our licensed masonry contractors handle everything from minor repairs to full relining — ensuring your fireplace and flue work properly and last for decades.