A Stillwater, MN chimney sweep for old masonry flues and gas fireplaces
A chimney sweep in Stillwater, MN often works on two things at once: an older masonry flue and the gas fireplace someone wants behind it. We sweep, inspect and repair the flue and service the gas side. Call, describe your chimney, and we will plan the visit around what is up there.
Open 7 days, 8am-8pm
Leak after rain, or an old flue getting a gas insert? Say so when you call.
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- Open 7 days, 8am-8pm
- 10+ years
- Licensed, bonded & insured
- Same-week, evenings & weekends
- On the riverHwys 36, 95 and 96 serve the city, which sits on the west bank of the St. Croix.
- The lift bridgeBuilt in 1931, it carried Hwy 36 until 2017 and is now part of a trail loop.
- Named neighborhoodsNorth Hill, South Hill, Greeley Addition and Dutchtown.
An older Stillwater flue: what has age changed inside it?
Older masonry chimneys were built to carry wood smoke, and years of winter frost and thaw leave marks. Here is what age tends to change, and what we check first.
| Part | What age changes | What we check |
|---|---|---|
| Mortar joints | They soften, crack and let water in | Joints along the stack, from the roof line up |
| Crown | Hairline cracks open into gaps | The slab at the top of the stack |
| Flue liner | Clay tiles crack or shift; some old flues have none | The inside of the flue, by camera when the job calls for it |
| Cap and flashing | Metal rusts and seams open | The cap, and the roof seam around the stack |
A cracked clay tile is not always an emergency, but it is a reason to stop and choose. Heat and smoke that escape through a gap reach the wall behind the flue. That is why we look inside before we say a flue is fine. Where a liner is already in place, we check its joints and where it meets the cap.
A gas insert in an old flue: why the liner comes up
A gas insert vents differently from an open wood fire. If a gas insert is going into an older fireplace, the flue behind it needs a look first, and it is usually lined to suit the appliance. We tell you whether your flue needs a liner, and which kind suits the insert, before any work is booked.
What a visit to an older flue covers
- Drop cloths go down at the fireplace before anything else.
- We brush the flue and clear the soot and creosote.
- We read the crown, cap and mortar joints from the roof edge.
- A camera goes into the flue when the job calls for it. A Level 2 always uses one.
- We walk you through what we found, in plain words, before you decide on any repair.
A chimney fire means everyone outside first and 911 second. The NFPA heating safety page explains the signs.
Repair the brick, repoint it or rebuild it?
We match the repair to the damage. Worn joints on sound brick call for repointing, which is fresh mortar cut into the joint. A cracked crown calls for a new crown or a rebuilt top. Brick that flakes and crumbles in pieces points to rebuilding the upper courses. A stack that leans is a stop sign: keep clear and call.
Waterproofing can help brick that is still sound, and we tell you when it is worth doing. Dryer vent cleaning in Stillwater covers the run from the back of the dryer to the outside cap, and it can be booked on the same trip. Starting prices for each service sit on the services page.
My chimney leaks when it rains: is that the age of the brick?
Often it is old mortar and a worn crown letting water in. Brick drinks water, and the joints are the usual doorway. We find the entry point first. If the brick is sound, sealing it may be enough.
Is a liner a must, or is someone just selling me one?
A liner matters when the flue lining is cracked or when a new appliance needs a different flue size. We check by camera, show you the cracked tile or gap when there is one, and tell you plainly when the flue is sound.
Services in Stillwater
- 01
Chimney sweep
Soot and creosote cleared from masonry flues, with a look at the mortar and crown while we are up there.
- 02
Gas fireplace repair
Service and repair for the gas fireplaces and inserts that sit in older brick houses.
- 03
Chimney repair
Crowns, joints and top courses on the older masonry that gas inserts vent through.
Asked about Stillwater chimneys
Liners, flaking brick and where we work.
I want a gas insert in my old North Hill fireplace. Does the flue need a liner first?
Usually the flue is checked first and lined to suit the insert, because an old masonry flue was built for wood smoke. We inspect it and tell you what we find, and we explain the liner options once we have seen the flue.
The brick at the top of my chimney is flaking. Repair or rebuild?
It depends on how deep the damage goes. Surface flaking on sound brick can often be repaired and sealed. Brick that crumbles away in pieces usually means the upper courses are rebuilt. Once the brick is repaired, a water repellent can help keep it that way.
Do you only work on the Minnesota side of the river?
Yes. We serve Minnesota towns, including Stillwater, Oak Park Heights and Bayport, and we book them the same way: call, or send the form, and we agree a time.
Does a leaking chimney always mean a rebuild?
No. Many leaks trace to a crown, a cap, flashing or worn joints, and those are repairs, not rebuilds. We find the entry point and show you before you decide.
What does a camera look add on an older flue?
A camera shows the inside of the flue, such as cracked tile, open joints or a missing liner, which you cannot judge from the roof. A Level 2 inspection always includes one, and we use a camera on other jobs when they call for it.
More towns we serve
Old flue, new fireplace, one phone call.
Tell us what is in the wall and what you want in front of it. You get a confirming call from us before the day.