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.
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AfterFamco Fireplace Services in New Rochelle: What to Know First
We provide independent Famco fireplace services in New Rochelle, with most repairs completed in a single visit and upfront pricing agreed before any work begins. A standard Famco gas fireplace service call runs $180-$320, while firebox or damper repairs on wood-burning units typically range $340-$780 depending on parts. We’re not affiliated with or authorized by Famco, but we’ve worked on enough of their units in Westchester County to know which castings crack, which valves stick, and which dampers were never quite right from the factory.
This page is for homeowners in New Rochelle, Beechmont, Wykagyl, and surrounding neighborhoods who own a Famco fireplace, insert, or gas log set and need it serviced, repaired, or evaluated by someone who won’t invent problems to sell solutions. Call (516) 927-2678 anytime, day or night. A live person answers.
What happens when you call
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A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
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You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
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A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
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You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
How Famco Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Famco FV-Series vent-free gas logs: The thermocouple pilot assemblies on early FV-18 and FV-24 units tend to drift out of spec after 6-10 seasons, especially in New Rochelle’s coastal humidity where salt air accelerates corrosion on the junction. We replace with an OEM-spec thermocouple or a Watts-compatible upgrade, test flame rectification with a digital meter, and verify the ODS oxygen depletion sensor is sampling correctly before we leave.
- Famco insert blowers (FBI-36, FBI-42 series): The sleeve bearings dry out and squeal, then seize. Many homeowners replace the entire blower assembly at $280+ when a $40 bearing kit and proper shim alignment solves it. We stock both options and show you the difference before deciding.
- Famco top-sealing dampers (TD- series):strong> The cast-aluminum throat plates warp slightly after repeated thermal cycling, preventing a complete seal. In Beechmont’s older homes with original flue tiles, this draft leak drives up heating bills and lets creosote odor back into the room. We machine-fit a stainless steel retrofit plate or recommend a Gelco cap-mounted damper if the throat is too far gone.
- Famco firebox refractory panels (wood-burning FPW models):strong> The 1-inch refractory panels crack at the rear wall seam, usually from thermal shock when homeowners burn unseasoned oak or run the unit cold. We source Famco-pattern panels from Copperfield or cut custom HeatShield refractory board if the unit is discontinued, which many pre-2010 FPW-36 and FPW-42 models now are.
- Famco direct-vent fireplaces (FDV-32, FDV-36):strong> The coaxial vent termination collars loosen from wind vibration on New Rochelle’s exposed hilltop properties, particularly near Long Island Sound. Exhaust leaks into the intake stream, causing sooting and rollout. We reseat with high-temp silicone and a mechanical lock washer, then perform a combustion analysis to confirm CO levels are back in spec.
Our Famco Fireplace Services Process
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Call and schedule. A live person answers 24/7. We ask the model number if you have it, the symptoms, and whether the unit is gas or wood-burning. We give you a arrival window and a no-surprises price range.
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Level-2 camera inspection and diagnosis. Our technician arrives in uniform, background-checked, with a digital camera scope. For Famco units, we inspect the firebox, damper mechanism, gas valve train or combustion chamber, and venting path. You see the photos. We give you a plain-English verdict.
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Parts decision. If your Famco unit needs components, we explain OEM versus quality aftermarket options. For discontinued lines, we source from Copperfield or fabricate from HeatShield or DuraFlex materials. Nothing is installed without your okay.
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The repair. Most Famco fireplace services are completed in one visit. Gas valve replacements, blower rebuilds, damper adjustments, refractory panel swaps, we do it on the truck.
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Testing and documentation. We pressure-test gas connections, verify draft with a manometer, or run a combustion analysis. You get a written report with photos, the 90-Day Done Right Promise, and our technician’s notes.
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Cleanup and follow-up. We leave the hearth cleaner than we found it. If anything isn’t right within 90 days, we come back. In writing, no arguing.
What Famco Fireplace Services Costs in New Rochelle
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Famco gas fireplace tune-up and safety check | $180 - $260 |
| Famco thermocouple/pilot assembly replacement | $220 - $340 |
| Famco blower motor repair or replacement | $280 - $480 |
| Famco damper repair or top-sealing retrofit | $340 - $620 |
| Famco refractory panel replacement (wood) | $420 - $780 |
| Famco gas valve or control module replacement | $380 - $650 |
What moves the price: accessibility of the firebox, whether the unit is still in production, and whether we find secondary issues like a cracked flue liner or improper venting. We photograph everything and tell you what can wait. Estimates are free. Call (516) 927-2678.
Why New Rochelle Homeowners Call Hearthstone Chimney Co. for Famco Work
We’ve been sweeping and repairing chimneys in New Rochelle for over 42 years. Russell Haines, our owner, has run his brush through flues in Beechmont’s Colonial-era homes and serviced Famco units in Wykagyl’s 1960s splits and Soundview’s newer construction alike. We know which Famco parts cross-reference to HeatShield, Gelco, or DuraFlex when OEM is unavailable.
The 90-Day Done Right Promise covers every job. Our technicians are background-checked, uniformed, and carry the tools to finish in one visit. No-hassle upfront pricing means the estimate number matches the invoice number. And when you call (516) 927-2678, a live person answers, 24 hours a day.
FAQs
No. As an independent Famco service provider, our work does not void manufacturer warranties on the original equipment. We use OEM-spec or equivalent professional-grade parts from Famco, Copperfield, HeatShield, and Gelco, and we document every repair with photos and a written report. If your unit is still under original warranty, we note any factory-covered defects we find so you can pursue that channel. Call (516) 927-2678 if you’re unsure about your warranty status.
Once a year, before the burning season begins. Gas fireplaces burn cleaner than wood, but the pilot assembly, burner ports, and venting still accumulate dust, spider webs, and corrosion that affect performance and safety. In New Rochelle’s coastal environment, we see more frequent thermocouple degradation and vent collar loosening than inland areas. Our $89 Seasonal Tune-Up includes inspection, cleaning, and combustion check. Call (516) 927-2678 to schedule.
Usually yes. For discontinued Famco inserts like the FBI-36 and FBI-42, we source compatible blowers, refractory panels, and gaskets from Copperfield and HeatShield. For venting components, DuraFlex and Olympia Chimney carry adapters that mate to Famco’s original collar dimensions. We show you the parts before installation and explain any fit differences. If a part is truly unavailable, we’ll tell you straight and discuss replacement options. Call for a free evaluation.
Replacement becomes the practical choice when the firebox is structurally compromised, the unit is obsolete with no parts path, or repair costs exceed 60% of a new equivalent. We make that determination with camera evidence you can see, not a sales pitch. Many Famco units from the 1990s and 2000s are still serviceable with the right parts and refractory work. We’ll tell you if yours is one of them. Free estimates: (516) 927-2678.
creosote accumulates in the flue, increasing chimney fire risk. The damper corrodes or jams shut. Cracked refractory panels let heat reach combustible framing. Carbon monoxide can backdraft if the flue is obstructed. These are real hazards, not scare tactics, and they’re preventable. In New Rochelle, where many Famco wood-burning units sit idle all summer, we find wasp nests, deteriorated mortar, and dampers frozen shut every September. A sweep and inspection catches this before you light the first fire. Call (516) 927-2678 for an exact quote, estimates are free.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner, Hearthstone Chimney Co. at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving New Rochelle and nearby areas.