Frequently Asked Questions

We lay protective coverings, run a rotary brush and vacuum system up the flue to remove creosote and debris, then inspect the firebox, damper, and exterior masonry for damage. In New Rochelle, where many homes were built before 1960, we pay special attention to deteriorated mortar and missing flue tiles. The whole process takes 45 to 90 minutes for a standard sweep. You'll receive a written condition report with photos before we leave.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual inspection, with cleaning as needed. Most New Rochelle homeowners who burn wood two to three times weekly need a sweep every year. If you burn daily in winter, or burn unseasoned softwood, you may need two sweeps per season. Gas fireplaces need annual inspection too - they don't create creosote, but debris and moisture can still block the flue. We'll tell you honestly if yours can wait.

A standard cleaning takes 45 to 90 minutes from arrival to departure. Level-2 camera inspections add 30 to 45 minutes. We don't rush. The 400th job gets the care of the first - that's the Every time in our K.E.Y.S. code. We schedule enough time that we're not watching the clock, and we call ahead so you're not waiting around.

No. We use industrial vacuums with HEPA filtration and lay protective runners from the door to the hearth. In twelve years of serving New Rochelle, Rye, and Mamaroneck, we've learned how to work in homes the way we'd work in our mother's - that's the Your home first in our code. We leave nothing behind but a clean flue and a written report.

Remove ashes from the firebox if there's more than an inch, clear the mantel of fragile items, and make sure we have access to the roof if the exterior needs inspection. Don't light a fire for 24 hours before we arrive - a hot flue can't be safely cleaned. If you have questions about access in a tight lot, like many homes in Greenville or Bronxville, call us and we'll figure it out together.

We install Gelco stainless steel caps and Famco chimney products, along with Olympia Chimney liners when a full relining is needed. These are brands we've trusted for years because they hold up to Westchester's freeze-thaw cycles and salt air near the Sound. We don't install parts we wouldn't use on our own homes. Every installation comes with the manufacturer's warranty plus our 90-day Keystone Standard guarantee.

Yes, we use Copperfield chimney supplies for certain repairs and rebuilds, especially custom flashing and specialty dampers. Their products integrate well with the older masonry we commonly see in Larchmont and Pelham Manor. We select materials based on what your specific chimney needs, not what's cheapest or easiest to stock.

We don't install customer-supplied caps. The fit and gauge need to match your flue exactly, and we've seen too many online purchases that corrode in two seasons or blow off in a nor'easter. We stand behind what we install - that's the Standing behind it in our K.E.Y.S. code. If we supply and install it, we guarantee it. Call (516) 927-2678 for a cap quote.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance New York requires, and we prefer technicians who've completed CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certification. Russell Haines, who leads our New Rochelle branch, personally reviews inspection reports for accuracy and completeness. We document every job with photos because a real professional leaves a paper trail.

Yes, we carry general liability and workers' compensation coverage. Every pro working under our name is required to maintain the insurance their trade demands. We've been in this community since 2014, and we plan to be here in thirty years - a company with that horizon doesn't cut corners on protection. We'll provide proof of insurance on request, no paperwork, no arguing.

Most chimney repairs in New Rochelle require a permit from the City Building Department, located on North Avenue. Structural work, liner replacement, and exterior rebuilding always need permitting. We handle the paperwork as part of our service - we've worked with New Rochelle inspectors for twelve years and know what they expect. We'll tell you upfront if your job requires a permit and what the timeline looks like.

A chimney fire, carbon monoxide alarm activation, or sudden collapse of exterior masonry counts as an emergency. If you suspect a chimney fire - loud cracking, dense smoke, or a hot smell from the walls - evacuate and call the fire department first, then call us at (516) 927-2678. For carbon monoxide concerns, leave the house immediately and call emergency services. Our phone is answered 24/7, and we'll prioritize genuine emergencies.

We don't guarantee same-day dispatch, but we do answer the phone 24/7 and will get you on the schedule as quickly as possible. Smoke backing up into your living space usually means a blocked flue, failed damper, or negative air pressure issue - all of which we can diagnose. In the meantime, don't use the fireplace. Call (516) 927-2678 and we'll assess urgency over the phone.

Document the damage with photos from the ground - don't climb on the roof yourself. Then call us at (516) 927-2678. We've repaired storm damage across New Rochelle, Scarsdale, and Yonkers after nor'easters and summer wind events. We'll tarp the chimney if needed to prevent water intrusion, then provide a written repair estimate with photo documentation for your insurance company.

The Keystone Standard is our trademarked promise: 90 days, in writing, no arguing. If anything we do isn't right, we come back and fix it. No paperwork, no arguing - that's the Standing behind it in our K.E.Y.S. code. The guarantee applies to all sweep, inspection, and repair work we perform in New Rochelle and our full service area. We've honored it since 2014 because a square deal is how you stay in business for decades.

Manufacturer warranties on stainless steel liners typically run 10 years to lifetime, depending on the product. Olympia Chimney liners carry strong coverage for defects in materials and workmanship. Our installation labor is covered by the 90-day Keystone Standard, and we extend that if the manufacturer identifies an installation issue. We register your warranty and keep copies on file so you don't have to track paperwork.

We show you every photo and explain what we're seeing in plain English. If you want a second opinion, we encourage it - a confident company doesn't fear comparison. We've had homeowners in Tuckahoe and Pelham bring in other sweeps, and most return to us because our documentation holds up. We'll be there when we say, we'll do it right, and we'll stand behind it. That's the deal.

We offer annual reminder scheduling for homeowners who want to set it and forget it. You'll get a call each fall before burning season, priority scheduling, and a record of every inspection kept on file. There's no prepaid contract - just a commitment from us to remember so you don't have to. Call (516) 927-2678 to enroll.

We've been here since 2014, led by Russell Haines, with a local team that knows Westchester's housing stock - the pre-war masonry in Wykagyl, the mid-century chimneys in Greenville, the salt-air deterioration near the Sound in City Island. We document every job with photos, price in writing before we start, and back our work with the 90-day Keystone Standard. The hearthstone is the stone the whole home gathered around - we treat your home with that same gravity.

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