Frequently Asked Questions

A two-person crew arrives in a scheduled window, lays protective sheeting, and inspects the firebox, damper, and exterior crown. We run a rotary sweep system up the flue, followed by a high-resolution camera scan from firebox to cap. The whole process takes 60-90 minutes for a standard wood-burning fireplace. You'll see the footage same-day and get a written report with any recommendations.

NFPA 211 recommends annual inspection for all chimney systems; sweep frequency depends on use and fuel type. Wood-burning fireplaces used regularly during Naperville's heating season (roughly October through April) should be swept annually. Gas fireplaces need inspection every 1-2 years for vent integrity. Even rarely used chimneys need inspection - freeze-thaw cycles in our climate crack crowns and let water in regardless of burn frequency.

Clear the hearth area of decorations, ashes, and furniture within six feet. Don't burn a fire for 24 hours beforehand - the flue needs to be cool enough for safe handling. We bring our own drop cloths, vacuums, and rods. If you have photos of past work or concerns about draft performance, have them ready; they help us target the camera inspection.

Yes. Our rotary sweep systems are HEPA-contained, and we seal the firebox opening during work. Most Naperville homeowners stay in adjacent rooms without issue. If anyone in your household has severe respiratory sensitivity, we can schedule additional ventilation time or discuss scheduling when the house is empty.

We specify DuraFlex and Olympia Chimney stainless steel liners for most wood-burning retrofits in Naperville. DuraFlex handles the thermal cycling of our freeze-thaw climate well, and Olympia Chimney's smooth-wall design improves draft in taller flues common in two-story homes near Downtown Naperville. We don't install anything we can't document with a post-installation camera scan.

HeatShield is a cerfractory flue resurfacing compound we use when the flue tiles are sound structurally but have minor gaps, spalling, or missing mortar joints. It's a repair, not a replacement - suitable for some Naperville homes built in the 1980s and 1990s where the tile is intact but the joints have degraded from thermal shock. We camera-verify the substrate first; HeatShield won't adhere to heavily fractured tile.

We install Gelco stainless steel caps for standard chase covers and flue terminations. Their mesh design keeps out Naperville's squirrel and raccoon populations without restricting draft. In neighborhoods with mature oak canopy - think near Naperville Riverwalk or along Jefferson Avenue - mesh size matters; too fine and it clogs with leaf debris, too open and it's a nesting invitation. Gelco's specification splits that difference.

We don't install customer-supplied liners, caps, or dampers. The Haven Standard requires us to warranty both material and workmanship; we can't verify the specification or origin of third-party parts. Our quoted prices include DuraFlex, Olympia Chimney, HeatShield, or Gelco materials as specified, with full documentation.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires, and we verify it annually. You'll see license numbers on your written quote and the technician's documentation on arrival. That's Verified crews - Clause 3 of the Haven Standard. We're independently owned and operated here in Naperville, working to the standards of Emberly Chimney Cleaners

Most chimney repairs and liner replacements in Naperville require a permit through the city's Development Services department. We pull permits as part of our scope when they're required; the permit number appears on your written quote and final documentation. For standard Level 2 inspections and sweeps with no structural modification, no permit is typically needed. We'll tell you which category your job falls into before we start.

We're insured for property damage and workers compensation. More importantly, our process is designed to prevent problems - camera documentation before, during, and after means we know the flue condition at every stage. If we discover damage we didn't anticipate (a hidden chimney fire crack, for example), we stop, show you the footage, and revise the written scope before continuing. No surprises - Clause 5.

Extinguish any active fire, open windows for ventilation, and call (331) 265-1700. Don't use the fireplace until it's been inspected. Smoke odor without visible fire often means a blocked flue, negative pressure issue, or deteriorated liner - all conditions we camera-diagnose. For gas odor, evacuate and call your utility's emergency line first; we handle the venting inspection after they've cleared the gas supply.

Yes. Chimney fires often leave pyrolyzed creosote deposits and hidden flue tile cracks that aren't visible from the firebox. We run a full Level 2 camera inspection to document thermal damage, then provide a written scope for repair or relining. In neighborhoods with heavy oak and maple burning - common from Wheaton to Glen Ellyn to Naperville - we've seen glazed creosote buildup contribute to rapid-fire events. The inspection determines whether the flue is salvageable or needs DuraFlex or Olympia Chimney liner replacement.

Our phone is answered 24/7. A live coordinator will connect you with the local team. For active hazards - chimney fire, structural damage, or gas leak - we'll prioritize scheduling. For non-urgent questions, we'll book you into the next available appointment window and send confirmation with your technician's name. Arrive on schedule - Clause 2 - means a real window, a named tech, and a text when they're on the way.

Our sweeps and inspections carry a 90-day workmanship guarantee. If you experience draft issues, odor, or visible debris after our service, we return at no charge. Liner installations carry material warranties from DuraFlex or Olympia Chimney (typically lifetime for stainless steel) plus our own installation guarantee. Every warranty term is in writing before work starts - Clause 1.

We show you the camera footage and explain what we're seeing. Nothing is recommended without evidence you can see for yourself. Some conditions need immediate attention - a separated flue liner, for example, creates a real fire and carbon monoxide risk. Others, like minor crown cracking without water intrusion, can be monitored and addressed at the next annual inspection. We'll tell you which category you're in, with the footage to back it up.

No sweep can guarantee zero fire risk - burning behavior, fuel moisture, and appliance operation all matter. What we guarantee is that we removed the creosote and obstructions present at inspection, documented the flue condition, and reported any structural issues that could contribute to future risk. Our 38,000+ chimneys inspected and cleaned since 2009 have all left with a written record of what we found and what we did.

You receive: the written quote (Clause 1), the technician's name and arrival text (Clause 2), license verification (Clause 3), the camera footage and condition report (Clause 4), and a final invoice matching the quoted scope (Clause 5). That's the Haven Standard - Have it in writing, Arrive on schedule, Verified crews, Evidence on every job, No surprises. Corrine Halstead and our Naperville team work to it on every call.

Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Emberly Chimney Cleaners Naperville, serving Naperville, Downers Grove, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Montgomery, Lombard, West Chicago, Hinsdale, Bloomingdale, Elmhurst, Westchester, and Joliet since 2009.