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 Rancho Cucamonga, CA
We’ve cleaned and inspected more than 38,000 chimneys since 2009, and we’ve photographed every one. The photos below show what we actually find in Rancho Cucamonga flues, what we do about it, and what documented clean looks like under the Haven Standard. No staging, no stock imagery - just the work.
Recent Transformations
Class III Glazed Creosote Removal - North Rancho Cucamonga, Near Victoria Gardens
The homeowner burned oak and almond exclusively, but never had the flue swept in six years. We found Class III glazed creosote - hardened, tar-like deposits that standard brushing won’t touch. We ran a rotary chain-flail system at controlled RPM to fracture the glaze without damaging the 8×12 clay flue liner, then switched to polypropylene whips for finish cleaning. The NFPA 211 Level 2 camera scan showed clean terracotta with no spalling or exposed mortar joints. Clause 4 of the Haven Standard required the photo record; the homeowner received 23 images plus the camera footage on a shared drive.
Smoke Chamber Parging - Day Creek Neighborhood
This 1984 tract home in Day Creek had a factory-built fireplace with a corbeled brick smoke chamber - the transition area above the damper. The corbeling created ledges where creosote accumulated, and the gaps between bricks were pulling smoke into the wall cavity. We removed the accumulated material, then applied HeatShield Cerfractory Foam to create a smooth, sloped surface that meets the IRC R1001.12 standard for smoke chamber parging. The result: improved draft, reduced creosote adhesion, and a documented photo record showing before-condition, during-application, and cure verification. Written scope, written price, written warranty - all delivered before we started, per Haven Standard Clause 1.
Stainless Steel Liner Installation - Alta Loma Foothills
The existing terracotta liner in this Alta Loma foothills home had shifted during the 2008 Chino Hills earthquake sequence - common in this area. We found a 2-inch offset at the second joint and hairline cracking in three sections. Rather than patch, we recommended a full stainless steel liner: DuraFlex 316Ti smooth-wall, 6-inch diameter, with full-length insulation wrap to maintain flue gas temperature and reduce condensation. The top plate and Gelco rain cap were fabricated to fit the existing crown profile. Camera verification from top and bottom confirmed full engagement at every joint. The homeowner’s written price included the liner, cap, insulation, and documentation - no add-ons after arrival.
Crown Rebuild with Overhang Correction - Etiwanda School District Area
The original crown was poured flush with the chimney face - a detail we see constantly in Etiwanda-area homes built 1985-1995. Water ran straight down the brick, causing spalling on the south face and efflorescence in the attic. We formed and poured a new crown with 2-inch overhang, ¾-inch drip edge, and positive slope away from the flue tile. The flue tile got a bond break and sealant gap to allow thermal expansion without cracking the crown. We used Olympia Chimney crown mix, procured through Haven’s buying network. The photo record shows formwork, pour, strip, and final seal - 14 images, timestamped, uploaded same day.
Firebox Refractory Panel Replacement - Central Rancho Cucamonga, Near Haven Avenue
This Heatilator firebox had cracked refractory panels - the factory-installed heat shields that protect the metal wrapper from direct flame contact. The homeowner noticed pieces flaking into the ash dump. We sourced replacement panels through Famco’s distribution channel, cut to the exact Heatilator model spec, and installed with ⅛-inch expansion gaps per manufacturer instruction. Seams were buttered with high-temp refractory cement rated to 2,500°F. The job took four hours. Written price before arrival: $847, including panels, labor, disposal, and Clause 4 documentation. No surprises.
Chimney Cap and Spark Arrestor Installation - Grapeland Neighborhood
Grapeland sits under the Pacific Flyway, and open flues here collect nesting material every spring. We removed a completed nest - not active with eggs, so no federal migratory bird issue - and found water staining on the smoke chamber walls from years of unprotected exposure. The solution was a Gelco copper cap with ⅝-inch mesh spark arrestor, band-mounted to the flue tile rather than the crown (the crown was sound, and we don’t drill sound concrete). Copper develops a patina that matches the neighborhood’s established aesthetic. Written price: $340 installed, including nest removal, smoke chamber assessment, and photo documentation. The 365-Day Done Right Promise applies if the cap loosens or mesh deforms.
Want Results Like These?
Every job above started the same way: a phone call to (909) 430-9243, answered by a live person. We book a time, assign a named technician, and send a text when they’re en route. The written price, written scope, and written warranty arrive before anyone enters your home - Haven Standard Clause 1, no exceptions. Camera inspection and photo record included, Clause 4. If you’ve got a written estimate from another contractor, we’ll give you a free second opinion. Call (909) 430-9243 or book now.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Emberly Chimney Cleaners Rancho Cucamonga, serving Rancho Cucamonga since 2009.