Before & After Gallery - Hearthstone Chimney Co.

Chimney Cleaning Before & After in Jersey City, NJ

We’ve been sweeping, inspecting, and rebuilding chimneys across Jersey City since 1984. Photos don’t lie. Below you’ll find real jobs we’ve completed in neighborhoods from The Heights to Bergen-Lafayette. Each shows what we found, what we did, and how it looked when we finished. If your chimney looks anything like the “before” shots here, call us at (732) 507-9649. We’ll give you an honest assessment and a price that won’t change.

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Recent Transformations

Heavy Creosote Buildup, Historic Downtown Row House

The homeowner on Mercer Street smelled smoke in the upstairs bedroom whenever the fireplace was running. We found Stage 3 glazed creosote, a hard, shiny layer that standard brushes won’t touch. Our technician used a rotary cleaning system with mechanical whips to break the glaze, then ran a Level-2 camera inspection to confirm the flue was clean to bare tile. The draft improved immediately, and the smoke smell disappeared.

Blocked Flue from Bird Nesting, The Heights

A family on Ogden Avenue couldn’t get their gas insert to vent properly. We discovered a fully blocked flue, packed with nesting material from multiple seasons. We removed the debris by hand, swept the flue, and installed a Gelco stainless steel chimney cap with proper screening. No more birds, no more venting issues, and the insert runs at full efficiency now.

Cracked Flue Tiles with Soot Intrusion, Bergen-Lafayette

The homeowner on Pacific Avenue found black dust on their mantelpiece every winter. Our camera inspection revealed vertical cracks in three flue tiles, letting combustion byproducts leak into the smoke chamber. Rather than a full liner replacement, we applied HeatShield cerfractory resurfacing, a ceramic coating that seals cracks and creates a new flue surface rated to 2900°F. The mantel stays clean, and the repair cost about half what a stainless liner would have run.

Water-Damaged Smoke Chamber, Journal Square Area

Water had been entering this Summit Avenue chimney for years through a cracked crown, slowly destroying the smoke chamber. The corbelled brick was eroded to gravel in places, creating turbulence that pushed smoke back into the room. We rebuilt the crown, sealed it with proper waterproofing, and parge-coated the smoke chamber with a refractory mix to restore smooth airflow. The fireplace draws cleanly now, even on windy days.

Failed Clay Liner in Pre-War Building, Paulus Hook

This Essex Street building dates to 1927, and the original clay liner had simply reached end of life. Pieces were falling into the cleanout, and the landlord faced a failed fire inspection. We installed a DuraFlex stainless steel liner, sized precisely for the boiler’s BTU output, with proper insulation to maintain flue temperature and prevent condensation. The installation passed city inspection on the first visit, and the building’s insurance carrier accepted our documentation without issue.

Neglected Fireplace with Animal Debris, Greenville

The new owner on Ocean Avenue didn’t know if their fireplace was functional. It wasn’t. The firebox was packed with leaves, raccoon droppings, and loose brick from a deteriorating back wall. We removed all debris, repointed the firebox with refractory mortar, and swept the flue. A new damper replaced the rusted original. The fireplace is now wood-burning ready, and we documented everything with photos for the homeowner’s records.

Want Results Like These?

Every job above started with a phone call to (732) 507-9649. A live person answers, 24 hours a day. We’ll schedule a Level-2 camera inspection, show you exactly what we find, and give you upfront pricing before any work begins. Most jobs finish in a single visit. Our 90-Day Done Right Promise means if something isn’t right, we come back. No paperwork, no arguing. Call today for a free estimate in Jersey City.

Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Jersey City since 1984.