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 Paterson, NJ
Photos tell the truth faster than any claim we could make. Below are real jobs from Paterson homes: what the flue looked like when we arrived, what we did about it, and what the homeowner walked away with. Every project includes the written scope and photo record that Clause 4 of the Haven Standard has required since 2009.
Recent Transformations
Class III Creosote Removal in a Victorian Off East 18th Street
The homeowner burned unseasoned wood for two winters. What we found was Class III creosote, which is the concentrated, tar-like stage that burns hot and fast once it ignites. We mechanically removed the glaze with a rotary chain whip, then brushed the full flue length and vacuumed the smoke chamber and firebox. The photo record showed bare flue tile afterward, and the written report recommended a follow-up sweep in 12 months given how the home burns wood.
Blocked Flue with Squirrel Nest in the Hillcrest Section
This flue was completely blocked with a squirrel nest, twigs, and leaves. The homeowner called because smoke was backing into the living room. We removed the nest material, swept the flue, and installed a chimney cap with a stainless steel mesh screen so it doesn’t happen again. The before photo explains the smoke; the after photo explains the fix.
Heavy Soot and Creosote Buildup in a Split-Level Near Garrett Heights
The flue had a one-eighth-inch creosote layer, which is the threshold where the National Fire Protection Association recommends cleaning. In Paterson’s humid summers, that creosote can draw moisture and accelerate flue tile deterioration. We power-swept the full length, cleaned the smoke shelf, and the after photo shows the condition of the flue tile underneath. No cracks, no spalling; the liner was in good shape.
Rusted Damper Plate and Smoke Chamber Cleanout in a Cape Cod Near Pennington Park
The damper was rusted shut, which at least meant it was doing one job: blocking cold air. But it also meant the fireplace couldn’t be used safely. We removed the rust scale, lubricated the hinge, and swept the smoke chamber, which held about four inches of soot. The after photo shows the damper open and closing smoothly. The homeowner also got the documented record of the smoke chamber, which most companies don’t photograph. We do it every time.
Glazed Creosote and Smoke Backup in a Rowhouse Near South Paterson
This rowhouse had smoke pushing back through the firebox door whenever the fire got going. The upper flue had a hardened creosote glaze narrowing the passage. We removed the glaze, swept the entire flue, and corrected a partially closed damper. The after photo matters because smoke stains don’t lie; the next burning season, the same fire burned clean.
Debris and Leaf Blockage in a Flue with No Cap, Lakeview Area
The flue had no cap, and Paterson’s fall winds had pushed leaves straight down the opening. We cleaned the debris, swept the flue, and installed a cap. The after photo shows the cap in place, and the before photo shows exactly why it was needed. A cap is the cheapest chimney insurance you can buy.
Want Results Like These?
Every job above started with the same thing: a written price before work started, a camera scan of the flue, and a documented photo record when we finished. If your chimney looks like the “before” photos, call (862) 356-5229. One visit, one price, one clean flue.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Level Two Chimney Paterson, serving Paterson since 2009.