Frequently Asked Questions

We set up floor protection, run a rotary brush and vacuum system up your flue to remove creosote and debris, then lower a high-resolution camera to inspect every inch of the liner, smoke shelf, and firebox. In Denton's clay-heavy soils, we often see moisture intrusion at the base of older masonry chimneys - the camera catches it. The whole process takes 60-90 minutes for a standard fireplace. You receive a photo report and written findings before we leave.

The NFPA 211 standard says annual inspection for all solid-fuel systems, and sweeping whenever creosote buildup reaches 1/8 inch. For Denton homeowners who burn oak or pecan - our most common local fuels - that usually means a sweep every year if you're a regular user, every other year if you light occasional fires. The 2021 freeze-thaw cycles and our hot, dry summers stress masonry more than milder climates, so we don't recommend stretching past the annual mark.

Most residential sweeps in Denton take 60 to 90 minutes from setup to cleanup. Historic homes in the Original Town District or properties with steep metal roofs in Lantana may add 15-20 minutes for safe ladder positioning. We text you when the technician is en route and give you a real arrival window, not an all-day wait - that's Clause 2 of the Haven Standard.

No. We use HEPA vacuums, floor tarps, and sealed rotary systems that contain soot inside the equipment. The only thing that leaves with us is the creosote. We've swept chimneys in carpeted living rooms across Corinth and Lake Dallas without leaving a trace. If we ever did, we'd come back and fix it - but in 17 years, that hasn't been necessary.

Level 1 is a visual check with a flashlight from the top and bottom of the flue - what most companies call an "inspection." Level 2 puts a camera inside the flue and is required by NFPA 211 for every real estate transaction, chimney fire, or new appliance installation. Our name comes from this distinction: we don't do Level 1 and call it done. The camera is standard on every job because it's the only way to verify the condition of a liner you can't see from the outside.

We work with Gelco and Olympia Chimney for stainless steel liners and components, and Famco for caps and dampers when the job calls for them. These aren't the only quality brands on the market, but they're what we stock on Denton-area trucks because they've held up in our local climate - the temperature swings from 105°F summers to hard freezes test lesser materials. If your system needs a liner replacement, we'll show you the exact spec and explain why we're recommending it.

Yes, for select rebuilds and custom cap work, particularly on historic homes in Denton's Original Town District where the homeowner wants a period-appropriate look. Copperfield's copper and stainless offerings weather well in North Texas. We don't default to the most expensive option - we default to the one the camera evidence supports.

Usually, yes. If your current system was installed with a major brand like Gelco or Olympia Chimney, we can source matching components and often extend the warranty by keeping everything in the same product family. Mixed-brand repairs can create compatibility issues with expansion rates and seal designs, so we flag that when we see it on camera.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance Texas requires for chimney work. We verify it before they ever carry our logo. Their license numbers are on file and available on request - that's Clause 3 of the Haven Standard. We're also insured and bonded for the protection of your Denton home.

Texas doesn't have a dedicated chimney sweep license, but the work falls under general contractor and home improvement regulations. We hold the appropriate state registrations and carry general liability and workers' compensation coverage. More importantly, we follow NFPA 211, the national standard that real estate inspectors and insurance adjusters actually reference when there's a claim.

Structural rebuilds and liner replacements typically require a permit from the City of Denton Building Inspections Division. We handle the permit application as part of the quoted scope when it's needed - we don't surprise you with it later. Minor repairs like cap replacement or crown sealing usually don't trigger permitting, but we'll tell you upfront if yours does.

Stop using the fireplace immediately and call us at (940) 373-6912. Chimney fires often sound like a low freight train or produce dense, oily smoke. Even a small fire can crack clay tile liners or warp metal ones, creating paths for carbon monoxide or future ignition. We prioritize post-fire inspections because the damage isn't always visible from the outside - the camera finds what a flashlight misses. Don't light another fire until a Level 2 inspection clears you.

Yes, and you should. Most home inspectors in Denton, Krum, and Corinth do a Level 1 visual check at best. We perform full Level 2 camera inspections for real estate transactions, with a written report formatted for your agent and lender. We can usually schedule within a few days of your call, and we coordinate directly with sellers or their agents if you prefer not to be present.

We won't tell you it's safe without looking. Heavy creosote buildup, bird nests, or cracked liners in an unswept chimney are genuine fire and CO hazards. That said, we're not going to invent danger where none exists - the camera shows us what's actually there. If your system is clean and sound, we'll document that too. The only way to know is the inspection.

Every job leaves with a written warranty, and the terms are spelled out before we start - that's Clause 1 again. Liner installations carry manufacturer warranties from brands like Gelco and Olympia Chimney, typically 10 years to lifetime depending on the product tier. Our labor warranty covers installation workmanship, and the specifics are in your written agreement. No verbal promises, no hand-waving.

Call us. The Haven Standard requires that every job leaves a documented record, so we can review exactly what was done and what the camera showed. If we missed something or didn't explain it clearly, we'll make it right. We're independently owned and operated here in Denton - our reputation in this market is built on homeowners who trust us enough to refer their neighbors in Lantana, Highland Village, and Flower Mound.

We guarantee we'll use the containment procedures that have kept homes clean across 17 years of sweeps. The rotary system, HEPA vacuum, and floor protection are standard on every job. If we somehow left debris, we'd return immediately to remedy it. But the stronger guarantee is this: we photograph the work area before and after, so there's no dispute about condition.

You get the photos. Every Level 2 inspection produces timestamped, geotagged images of your flue interior, smoke chamber, firebox, and exterior crown. We archive them, and you receive a copy. This practice - camera-scan inspections as standard, with archived footage - is why Haven acquired Emberly back in 2009. It's now Clause 4 of the Haven Standard: Evidence on every job. If there's ever a question about what we found, the record exists.

We don't publish customer photos without permission, but we can show you anonymized examples of common local conditions: creosote glazing from pecan wood, freeze-thaw spalling on 1920s brick in the Original Town District, liner gaps we found in Sanger farmhouses. The photo report from your own inspection becomes your reference for what normal and abnormal look like in your specific system.

Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Emberly Chimney Cleaners Denton, serving Denton, Krum, Corinth, Lantana, Lake Dallas, Highland Village, Sanger, Flower Mound, Little Elm, Lewisville, Roanoke, and Trophy Club since 2009.