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.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterChimney Cleaning Before & After in Milford, PA
We’ve been clearing flues and restoring fireplaces across Pike County since 1984. Photos don’t lie. Below you’ll see what creosote buildup, animal nesting, and neglected maintenance actually look like, and what a proper chimney cleaning from Hearthstone Chimney Co. leaves behind. Every project here was completed by our background-checked, uniformed technicians in a single visit.
Recent Transformations
Stage-3 Creosote Removal, Milford Borough
The homeowner smelled something acrid every time they ran their wood stove in the Matamoras Street rental. We found stage-3 glazed creosote, a shiny, tar-like coating that standard brushes won’t touch. Our technician applied a professional-grade creosote modifier, let it work, then ran mechanical whips and poly brushes until the terracotta flue tiles were bare. Level-2 camera inspection confirmed zero remaining deposits. The tenant got photos, a plain-English verdict, and a clean bill of health for the flue.
Bird’s Nest Eviction, Dingmans Ferry Area
A family near Dingmans called in late March with smoke backing up into their living room. We found an active chimney swift nest packed tight against the flue liner, plus three years of accumulated twigs and droppings below it. We removed the nesting material per federal guidelines, swept the entire flue, and installed a Gelco stainless steel cap with 5/8-inch mesh. No more visitors, no more smoke, and the flue draws properly even in the damp Milford spring air that hangs in the valley before the leaves fully open.
Flue Fire Recovery, Shohola Township
The homeowner heard a roaring sound in their chimney on a February night, then found cracked tile shards in their firebox the next morning. Thermal shock from a flue fire had destroyed the original clay liner. We swept the debris, ran a camera to map every fracture, and installed a DuraFlex stainless steel liner with an insulation blanket rated for Milford’s freeze-thaw cycles. The system now meets NFPA 211 standards. We documented everything with photos the insurance adjuster could read as easily as the homeowner could.
Prefabricated Fireplace Deep Clean, Milford Township
A couple on Log Tavern Road bought a 2004 home with a prefabricated wood-burning fireplace they’d never used. The baffle system was packed with compacted ash, the combustion air inlets were sealed shut, and the chase cover was rusted through. We disassembled the firebox per the manufacturer’s manual, cleared every airway, swept the metal flue, and replaced the chase cover with a custom-fabricated steel unit. The fireplace now drafts correctly and puts out heat instead of smoke. Most jobs like this we finish in a single visit. This one took two because we don’t leave until it’s done right, and we stand behind it.
Historic Masonry Restoration, Westfall Township
An 1890s farmhouse near the Delaware had a chimney that looked picturesque from the road and dangerous up close. Spalled bricks, mortar turned to sand, and a smoke chamber so rough it acted like a creosote magnet. We swept the flue, applied HeatShield cerfractory foam to smooth the smoke chamber, and repointed the exterior with Type N mortar matched to the original hardness. The homeowner got photos of every stage, a written report for their historic registry file, and a system that won’t turn their heritage into a liability. Done right, and we stand behind it with our 90-Day Done Right Promise in writing.
Gas Conversion Inspection & Cleaning, Lords Valley
A Lords Valley homeowner switched to gas logs five years ago but never had the chimney evaluated for the change. We found the original wood-burning flue oversized for the gas appliance, with fallen debris and old soot reducing draft further. Carbon monoxide risk in a tight modern home isn’t theoretical. We swept the flue, ran draft and spillage tests, and documented gas pressure readings. The logs now vent properly, and the homeowner has photos and data to show any future buyer that the conversion was checked by someone who knew what to look for.
Want Results Like These?
Every project above started with a phone call to (610) 991-8179. A live person answers, 24 hours a day, every day. We’ll schedule your Level-2 camera inspection, show you exactly what we find, and give you no-hassle upfront pricing. The number on the estimate is the number on the invoice. A square deal: no surprises on the bill. We’ll be there when we say. Call (610) 991-8179 or book your Milford chimney cleaning today.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Milford since 1984.