Frequently Asked Questions

We lay protective drop cloths, run a rotary brush system from the top down or bottom up depending on your setup, and vacuum all loosened creosote and debris. A standard sweep takes 45 minutes to 90 minutes. Every sweep includes a visual inspection of the firebox, damper, and accessible flue sections. If we spot anything concerning, we'll show you the photo evidence and explain your options plainly.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual inspection, with cleaning as needed. In Lynchburg's climate, where we see heavy use from October through March, most wood-burning fireplaces need sweeping every year. Occasional users might stretch to every two years, but we don't recommend it - creosote builds up faster than people think, especially with softer woods like pine that are common in Central Virginia. We'll be there when we say, every season.

A Level-1 inspection is a visual check of accessible components - what we can see without tools or demolition. A Level-2 inspection includes everything in Level-1 plus camera scanning of the full flue interior, inspection of attics and crawl spaces where the chimney passes through, and documentation with photos you receive. We recommend Level-2 for any home purchase, after a chimney fire, or if you're changing appliance types. The camera doesn't lie, and we show you what it sees.

A standard sweep and Level-1 inspection takes about an hour. A Level-2 inspection with camera documentation runs 90 minutes to two hours depending on roof access and chimney height. Masonry repairs or liner installations are scheduled as separate appointments after we've provided a written scope and you've approved it. We don't rush - done right takes the time it takes.

Clear the hearth area of decorations, furniture, and ashes if possible. Don't use the fireplace for 24 hours before we arrive - we need the system completely cool. Make sure we have clear access to your roof if it's walkable, or let us know if you have a steep pitch or metal roofing so we bring the right ladder setup. We'll handle the rest.

We primarily work with DuraFlex stainless steel liners for their durability and warranty backing, and we also use Copperfield components for custom-fit installations in older Lynchburg homes with non-standard flue dimensions. Both brands meet UL 1777 standards and carry manufacturer warranties we honor through our own Keystone Standard. We don't install bargain liners that won't last - Krafted right means proper materials.

Yes, HeatShield is our go-to for resurfacing clay tile flues that have minor cracking or spalling but don't need full liner replacement. It's a cerfractory sealant system that restores the flue's smooth surface and insulation properties, and it's backed by a 20-year manufacturer warranty. We use it in many of the 1960s and 1970s ranch homes common in Timberlake and Madison Heights where the tile is sound but the surface has degraded. Every time, we match the repair to the actual condition - not every flue needs replacing.

We typically install Famco stainless steel caps with mesh screening for Lynchburg's mix of heavy rain, occasional ice, and active squirrel and bird populations. Stainless holds up better than galvanized in our humidity, and the 3/4-inch mesh keeps out animals while allowing proper draft. For historic homes in downtown Lynchburg or Farmville with specific aesthetic requirements, Copperfield offers copper and black powder-coated options that blend with period architecture. Your home first - we work with your house, not against it.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires, and we require CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certification or equivalent training for anyone performing inspections. Russell Haines personally reviews inspection reports from new team members for their first six months. The standards come from Hearthstone Chimney Co., but the local knowledge comes from twelve years serving this market.

Yes, we carry general liability and workers' compensation coverage as required. Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires, and we verify coverage annually. We'll provide a certificate of insurance on request - no paperwork, no arguing.

Repairs and maintenance like sweeping and cap installation typically don't require permits. Structural modifications, new liner installations, and chimney rebuilding usually do require permits through the City of Lynchburg Department of Buildings and Codes or the relevant county office for homes outside city limits. We handle permit applications as part of our project scope when they're needed - one less thing for you to worry about.

We're open Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. We schedule appointments within these hours and don't promise emergency dispatch outside them. For active chimney fires, call 911 first, then call us for the follow-up inspection once the fire department clears the scene. We'll be there when we say.

Call 911 if flames or heavy smoke are visible, then evacuate. Even a small chimney fire can crack flue tiles or damage liners, creating paths for carbon monoxide or future fires. After the fire department clears you to re-enter, call us at (540) 328-6986 for a Level-2 inspection - we'll camera-scan the full flue and document any damage for your insurance. Don't use the fireplace again until it's been professionally inspected.

Stage-three glazed creosote ignites at approximately 451 degrees Fahrenheit, and chimney fires can reach 2,000 degrees - hot enough to crack masonry, warp metal, and set adjacent framing ablaze. Carbon monoxide is the quieter threat: a blocked or damaged flue can push deadly gas back into your living space. These aren't theoretical risks - we find dangerous conditions in Lynchburg homes every burning season. The fix is straightforward: annual inspection, cleaning when needed, and repairs based on camera evidence you can see for yourself.

The Keystone Standard is our written promise: 90 days, in writing, no arguing. If anything we do isn't right, we come back and fix it at no charge. Standing behind it means exactly that - no paperwork battles, no finger-pointing. This applies to all our sweeps, inspections, and repairs across Lynchburg, Forest, Bedford, and every community we serve.

Most manufacturer warranties like those from DuraFlex and HeatShield are tied to the installation and transfer with the property, not the owner. We provide full documentation of all work and warranties performed, which we recommend including in your disclosure packet. If a buyer's inspector has questions, we're happy to explain our work directly. We plan to be in Lynchburg in thirty years - we'll still be here to stand behind it.

We stop, show you the camera evidence, and explain your options. We don't perform repairs you haven't approved in writing, and we'll tell you plainly when work can safely wait versus when it shouldn't. Some masonry issues are cosmetic and can be scheduled for the off-season; others, like a cracked flue liner, need addressing before the next fire. No surprises on the bill - you'll always know where you stand before we proceed.

You need a new liner when the existing one is cracked, deteriorated, or improperly sized for your appliance - and we won't recommend replacement without camera evidence you can see for yourself. In Lynchburg's older housing stock, particularly the brick homes built before 1940 in downtown and the ranch homes from the 1960s in Madison Heights, we often find clay tile that's cracked from thermal shock or original liners that were never installed. But we also find plenty of liners with decades of life left. The camera tells the truth, and we'll show you exactly what it sees. Call (540) 328-6986 for an exact quote - estimates are free.

Most likely: gradually worsening creosote buildup, increasing fire risk, and eventual draft problems that make your fireplace smoky and inefficient. Worst case: a chimney fire that damages your home or carbon monoxide exposure that harms your family. These outcomes are preventable and not rare - we respond to chimney fires in Lynchburg, Bedford County, and Appomattox County every winter. The cost of annual inspection and cleaning as needed is modest compared to the risk of doing nothing. Call (540) 328-6986 for an exact quote - estimates are free.

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