East FoothillsCA · neighbourhood
Before the next project,
understand what is there.
Gather the fireplace details and any previous inspection records. Compare cleaning, inspection and repair scopes around the existing chimney rather than a guessed diagnosis.
(669) 201-9919Find your service ↓
THE DETAILS MATTER.LET’S MAKE THIS SIMPLE
What brought you to the hearth?
One choice gets you to the relevant service.
No long form between you and a conversation.
A PLACE TO START
Chimney Sweeping
Maintenance is due or an inspection recommends cleaning before use.
Describe the issue first. Confirm the work and price before authorizing it.
A PLACE TO START
Level 2 Chimney Inspection
A sale, damage event, equipment change, or operating concern needs a detailed review.
Describe the issue first. Confirm the work and price before authorizing it.
A PLACE TO START
Chimney Flashing Repair
Water marks or roof leakage appear where the chimney meets the roof.
Describe the issue first. Confirm the work and price before authorizing it.
A PLACE TO START
Firebox Repair
Brick, mortar, or interior firebox surfaces are cracked, loose, or visibly deteriorating.
Describe the issue first. Confirm the work and price before authorizing it.
Care from the
firebox to the crown.
A fireplace is only one part of the system. Find the service that addresses what you can see, smell or hear.
Explore all services
↗8 SERVICES
Inspection & Cleaning
Inspection, sweeping, and cleaning work that starts by documenting condition before recommending a repair.
↗9 SERVICES
Chimney Repair & Weatherproofing
Masonry, metal, crown, cap, flashing, and moisture-control repairs for exposed chimney work.
↗7 SERVICES
Venting & Safety
Flue, liner, damper, draft, obstruction, and post-fire work focused on the path smoke and combustion gases take.
↗7 SERVICES
Fireplace, Insert & Stove Work
Firebox, hearth, insert, stove, and factory-built fireplace service after an inspection of the existing system.
THE WORK, UP CLOSE
See the details.
Find your service.
SEE HOW IT WORKS
The moving parts.
A closer look.
Explore the illustrated system and the components behind the service.
Illustrative photographyA MORE CONSIDERED APPROACH
The work you see.
The care you don’t.
A sweep and an inspection answer different questions. One addresses deposits; the other examines condition. Understanding both is the beginning of looking after the whole chimney.
Understand inspectionsFROM FIRST QUESTION TO NEXT STEP
Know what
happens next.
If smoke is entering the room, stop using the fireplace and arrange an assessment.
- 01
Listen to the signs
Tell us about smoke, moisture, visible damage or the last inspection.
- 02
Look at the whole system
The appropriate inspection scope depends on use, access and what has changed.
- 03
Make a considered plan
Review the findings and proposed work before proceeding with repairs.
East Foothills
Start with your address.
Find the service you need, then confirm the work and availability for your property.
LOCAL RESEARCH / East Foothills
Local exposure
Santa Clara County sits inside the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, whose Regulation 6 Rule 3 governs wood burning. The District’s own FAQ describes winter months starting 1 November through the end of February, and says Winter Spare the Air Alerts are issued when pollution reaches unhealthy levels — roughly 20 days each winter, when burning is not allowed. It also states that excessive smoke is not allowed beyond a 20-minute start-up period, and describes a Sole Source of Heat exemption for households whose only heat is a registered EPA-certified device. Check the alert status before you light a fire. This District FAQ was last updated in October 2017; confirm the current rule and alert status with the District.
Source ↗Local context
The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Burn Wise pages say fire officials recommend getting a wood-burning appliance, chimney and vent professionally inspected each year to keep them in safe working order, and the US Fire Administration likewise says to have chimneys and vents cleaned and inspected at least once a year. Ask what an inspection will actually look at and what you receive in writing afterwards. Annual guidance is not a finding about the condition of your own chimney.
Source ↗Planning your work
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District publishes what may be installed when hearth work is done. It states that no wood-burning devices of any kind may be installed in new homes or buildings being constructed in the Bay Area, and describes a chimney or fireplace remodelling project costing over $15,000 that requires a building permit as limited to a gas-fuelled, electric or EPA-certified device. The District also says wood burning is banned throughout the year when a Spare the Air Alert is called. Discuss the proposed appliance and the permit path with both your local building department and the District before ordering anything. This is an air-district reference; it does not decide what your property needs.
Source ↗Area-wide context does not establish the condition of your property or equipment.
CLOSE TO HOME
East Foothills.
And your corner of it.
Find the service information for your area. Confirm your address and appointment availability when you call.
Explore all areasA LITTLE CLARITY
Good questions.
Straight answers.
Is sweeping the same as an inspection?
No. Sweeping removes deposits within the agreed cleaning scope. An inspection examines condition. Ask which inspection level is appropriate and whether it is included in the visit.
Why can a chimney leak when the fireplace is unused?
Water can enter through caps, crowns, flashing, masonry or other roof details. The source needs to be identified before a repair is selected; a stain alone does not establish which part failed.
What if smoke comes back into the room?
Stop using the appliance and arrange an assessment. Smoke can relate to draft, an obstruction or the wider venting system. If there is an active fire or an alarm, leave the area and contact emergency services.