Frequently Asked Questions

We seal the fireplace opening with a protective barrier, run rotating brushes up the full length of the flue to remove creosote and soot deposits, and vacuum all debris. The firebox, smoke shelf, and damper get hand-cleaned and inspected. The whole process takes 45 to 90 minutes for a standard system, and we leave your living area as clean as we found it.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual inspection, with cleaning as needed. For Ewing homeowners who burn wood regularly through the winter, that usually means a sweep every year. Occasional users can sometimes stretch to every two years, but an annual inspection still catches deterioration from our freeze-thaw cycles before it becomes a safety issue.

Look for soot falling into the firebox, a strong smoky odor when the damper is closed, or visible black, tar-like creosote buildup thicker than a quarter-inch. If your fires seem to draft poorly or smoke spills into the room, that's another warning sign. When in doubt, schedule an inspection. It's free to find out, and chimney fires from creosote ignition are not worth the gamble.

Spring and early summer are ideal. The rush hits in September and October across Mercer County, and our calendar fills fastest then. Booking in April, May, or June means you'll beat the crowd, and any repairs we find can be completed well before the first cold snap. That said, we sweep year-round for homeowners who need it.

Yes, immediately. There's no curing time or waiting period after a standard cleaning. We only ask that you wait if we've performed masonry repairs or installed a new liner, and we'd tell you clearly if that were the case. Most Ewing homeowners book their sweep, then light their first fire that evening with full confidence.

We work with proven manufacturers including Gelco, Olympia Chimney, and Famco for caps, liners, and repair components. These are brands we've installed across hundreds of Mercer County homes and have found to hold up to our local climate. We match the specific product to your chimney's fuel type, flue size, and venting requirements rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all solution.

Copperfield is another brand we turn to for specific applications, particularly certain damper assemblies and specialty flashing configurations. We source from multiple established manufacturers so we're not locked into a single supplier. The right part for your chimney depends on what we find during inspection, and we explain the choice before ordering anything.

We can source custom and semi-custom caps that respect the character of older homes in areas like the Ewingville historic district. Standard galvanized or stainless caps work fine for many applications, but we also offer copper and powder-coated options when appearance matters. We'll show you samples and pricing during the estimate.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires, and we emphasize ongoing training in proper sweep technique, masonry repair, and safety protocols. Certification through organizations like the Chimney Safety Institute of America is common on our crews. We don't send anyone into your home who hasn't demonstrated competence at a journeyman level or higher.

Yes, we carry full general liability and workers' compensation coverage. This protects your property and our technicians while we're on the job. We're happy to provide a certificate of insurance upon request. It's part of our K.E.Y.S. values - specifically "Your home first" - that we work in your house the way we'd work in our mother's.

Most routine chimney sweeps and inspections require no permit. Liner replacements, structural repairs, or new chimney construction in Ewing typically need a permit from the township building department. We handle permit applications as part of any project that requires them, and we know the local inspectors from years of working in Mercer County. You won't need to navigate that yourself.

Call 911 first, then call us after the fire department has cleared the scene. Signs of a chimney fire include loud cracking or popping noises, dense smoke, and an intense hot smell. Do not attempt to extinguish it yourself. Once the immediate danger has passed, we'll perform a level-2 camera inspection to assess structural damage and document what needs repair for your insurance claim.

We answer the phone during our operating hours, Monday through Sunday, 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. For active water intrusion, we'll get you scheduled as soon as possible, often within a day or two depending on current demand. We don't promise middle-of-the-night dispatch, but we do prioritize water damage calls because we know what moisture does to mortar and flue liners in Ewing's climate.

We're open Monday through Sunday, 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Calls are answered by a live coordinator who connects you with our local team. We don't use automated systems during business hours, and you'll speak with someone who can access our schedule and answer basic questions about your chimney type and location.

We stand behind our work with The Keystone Standard: 90 days, in writing, no arguing. If something we did isn't right, we come back and fix it. No paperwork battles, no runaround. This applies to all sweep, inspection, and repair work we perform. The guarantee is backed by Hearthstone Chimney Co.'s established brand standards, not just a local promise.

Manufacturer warranties vary by product. Gelco and Olympia Chimney liners typically carry 10 to 20-year warranties depending on the model and fuel type. Famco and Copperfield caps generally have shorter warranties against defects. We register all warranties on your behalf and provide you with the documentation. If a manufacturer defect appears, we handle the claim process.

We show you. Every significant finding gets photographed and explained in plain English before we recommend any additional work. Nothing is sold on fear or speculation. If a repair can safely wait a season, we'll tell you. If it can't, we'll explain exactly why and provide a written estimate with no pressure to decide on the spot. That's a square deal.

We offer scheduled annual reminder service for homeowners in Ewing, Lawrence, Mercerville, and surrounding towns. You'll get a call when your chimney is due, priority scheduling before the fall rush, and a documented service history that helps with insurance claims and home sale disclosures. There's no upfront cost to join the reminder list.

We document before and after conditions with photos you can see. The flue should be visibly cleaner, the damper should move freely, and there should be no debris left in your home. If you have any concern about the quality of work, call us within the 90-day guarantee period and we'll return to address it. We built our reputation in Mercer County on coming back when we say we will.

Absolutely. Every level-2 inspection includes a written report with dated photographs, condition ratings, and specific recommendations. Homeowners in Princeton and West Windsor often request these for estate planning or pre-sale documentation. We email the report within 24 hours of service and keep copies on file for our own reference.

We've been serving this area since 2014 with steady, plainspoken service and no shortcuts. Our K.E.Y.S. values mean every job is Krafted right, done right Every time, with Your home first in mind, and we Stand behind it. We're local enough to know the difference between a 1920s Ewingville chimney and a 1990s West Windsor build, and we're backed by the standards of an established national brand. Call (856) 388-5580 and you'll speak with a real person who can get you scheduled.

Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Ewing and Mercer County since 2014.