Frequently Asked Questions

We arrive in a scheduled window, lay protective coverings, and run a closed-circuit camera up your flue before touching a brush. This baseline documentation - Clause 4 of the Haven Standard - shows you exactly what we found before we disturb it. Then we sweep with rotary poly or wire brushes matched to your flue liner material, vacuum with HEPA filtration, and camera again to confirm the flue is clear and intact. The whole process takes 60-90 minutes for a standard fireplace. You'll receive a written report with photos before we leave.

NFPA 211 recommends annual inspection for all solid-fuel systems, and sweeping when creosote buildup exceeds 1/8 inch. In Joliet's climate - heavy freeze-thaw cycles, humid summers, and wood-burning season running roughly October through April - most active fireplaces need sweeping every year. Occasional users might stretch to every two years if the annual camera inspection shows minimal buildup. We never recommend work the footage doesn't support. Call (815) 620-5234 to schedule.

Skipped maintenance leads to three measurable risks: creosote accumulation that ignites at 451°F (chimney fires in Joliet spike in January after holiday burning), blocked flues from bird nests or collapsed liner tiles that force carbon monoxide back into living spaces, and moisture intrusion that destroys masonry from the inside. The camera inspection reveals which risk applies to your system. Many homeowners are surprised to learn their flue is sound for another season - we tell you that too. Call (815) 620-5234 to schedule.

A standard Level 2 inspection with sweep takes 60-90 minutes. Complex systems - multiple flues, unlined masonry requiring video documentation of every surface, or pellet inserts with venting runs through exterior walls - can run 2 hours. We don't rush the camera work; Clause 4 requires archived footage of what we found. We'll give you a time estimate when we confirm your appointment. Call (815) 620-5234 to book.

Yes, and here's why: the camera inspection is real-time, and we want you to see what we see. When we pull back a liner joint that's separated or show you glazed creosote (Stage 3, the dangerous kind), the footage is more convincing than any report. We also need access to the fireplace and roof, and we'll need you to sign off on the scope before we start and the findings before we leave. If you can't be present, we can reschedule - we don't perform unsupervised work.

We primarily specify DuraFlex and Copperfield stainless steel liners for relining jobs in Joliet, with material selection based on your fuel type and appliance. DuraFlex's corrugated construction handles the thermal expansion common in our freeze-thaw climate, while Copperfield's smooth-wall design improves draft in marginal installations. For heat-resistant resurfacing of sound but pitted clay flues, we use HeatShield cerfractory sealant. Every product spec is noted in your written quote with the manufacturer's warranty term. Call (815) 620-5234 to discuss your system.

HeatShield is a cerfractory (ceramic-refractory) resurfacing compound applied to the interior of an existing clay flue that's structurally sound but has minor spalling, pitting, or small gaps at tile joints. It's not a liner replacement - it's a restoration. We use it when the camera shows intact tiles with surface degradation, not shifting, missing, or fractured tiles. A full stainless liner from DuraFlex or Copperfield is required when the clay is compromised or the flue is unlined. We show you the footage and quote both options when either could apply. Call (815) 620-5234 for an evaluation.

We specify Gelco chimney caps and top-sealing dampers for certain Joliet installations, particularly where wind-driven rain off the Des Plaines River valley is accelerating crown deterioration. Their stainless construction holds up to our salt-laden winter air better than galvanized alternatives. Caps and dampers are quoted separately from sweep and inspection services, with size and material noted in writing. Call (815) 620-5234 to discuss protection for your system.

We don't install customer-supplied liner kits, caps, or dampers. The Haven Standard requires us to warranty both material and workmanship, and we can't verify the specification, condition, or origin of third-party parts. What we can do is quote you the installed price using our specified products - DuraFlex, Copperfield, HeatShield, or Gelco - and show you the comparable retail pricing so you see the markup, if any. Call (815) 620-5234 for a written quote.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires, and we verify it before they arrive at your home. Illinois doesn't issue a dedicated chimney sweep license, so we require Illinois Home Repair Contractor registration and general liability coverage. We put the active license number on your written quote and the technician's name in your confirmation text. This is Clause 3 of the Haven Standard: verified crews, documented on every job.

Yes, we maintain workers' compensation coverage for anyone performing work on your property. This protects you from liability if a technician is injured on your roof or ladder. We don't send uninsured labor to Joliet homes, and we don't ask you to sign waivers that shift risk to you. Coverage verification is available on request before we book. Call (815) 620-5234 with any questions.

Relining, rebuilding, or modifying a chimney in Joliet requires a permit from the City of Joliet Building Department. We pull permits for all work that triggers the requirement and schedule the inspection. For standard Level 2 inspection and sweep - no structural modification, no liner installation - no permit is needed. We'll tell you explicitly in your quote whether permit costs are included. Call (815) 620-5234 for clarification on your specific project.

We're open Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM, Saturday 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM, and Sunday 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Evening and weekend slots fill first, especially September through November in Joliet, so we recommend booking 2-3 weeks ahead during peak season. We don't offer 24/7 dispatch, but if you suspect a chimney fire or CO issue, evacuate and call 911 first - then call us for the follow-up inspection once the immediate danger is addressed. Call (815) 620-5234 to schedule.

Evacuate the home and call 911 if flames or heavy smoke are visible. After the fire department clears the scene, call us for a Level 2 inspection - this is exactly what NFPA 211 defines Level 2 for: evaluation after a chimney fire, building fire, or seismic event. We'll camera the entire flue, document thermal damage to clay tiles or metal liner, and tell you whether the system can be repaired or must be relined. Do not use the fireplace until we've inspected; hidden cracks can allow fire or gases into wall cavities. Call (815) 620-5234 to schedule.

Shorewood and Crest Hill are within our standard service area, so no extended scheduling delay applies. During peak season (October-December), we're typically booking 2-3 weeks out across all our cities, including Lockport, Romeoville, and Plainfield. January through March, we often have availability within a week. We don't promise same-day or next-day response, but we do keep a cancellation list for earlier openings. Call (815) 620-5234 for current availability.

We inspect gas fireplace venting as part of our Level 2 service - checking for blockages, proper termination, and signs of condensation damage in the flue. For gas valve, burner, or ignition repairs, we refer to licensed HVAC or gas-fit contractors in Joliet. We don't perform work outside our competency, and we don't bill for services we aren't qualified to warranty. Call (815) 620-5234 and we'll tell you honestly whether we handle your specific system.

Our sweep and inspection carries a 30-day warranty on workmanship: if you experience draft issues, odor, or visible debris after our service, we return at no charge. Liner installations carry the manufacturer's warranty - typically lifetime for DuraFlex and Copperfield stainless products - plus our installation warranty. HeatShield restorations carry a 20-year material warranty. Every warranty term is written on your invoice before work begins, per Clause 1 of the Haven Standard. Call (815) 620-5234 for details.

The Haven Standard is five clauses that govern every job we perform: Clause 1 - flat price, written scope, written warranty before anyone starts; Clause 2 - arrive on schedule with a named tech and text notification; Clause 3 - verified, licensed, insured crews; Clause 4 - evidence on every job, photos and readings archived; Clause 5 - no surprises, no door upsell, no scope creep. It was built from Level Two Chimney Co.'s practice of camera archiving, started back in 2009. Every branch, including ours in Joliet, works to this standard. Call (815) 620-5234 to experience it.

We stop, show you the camera footage, and quote the additional work separately. Nothing is added to your bill without your written approval - that's Clause 5, no surprises. In seventeen years of operation since 2009, the Haven Standard has meant no homeowner faces an invoice they didn't agree to in advance. If the additional work can safely wait, we tell you that plainly and schedule it for later. Your call, every time. Call (815) 620-5234 to schedule.

No sweep can guarantee zero fire risk - burning wood produces creosote, and creosote ignites under certain conditions. What we guarantee is that we'll measure and document the flue condition honestly, remove all accessible deposits to NFPA standards, and tell you if your burning habits or appliance choice are producing hazardous buildup faster than normal. If you follow our recommendations and a fire occurs due to our documented oversight, our warranty and insurance respond. Call (815) 620-5234 to discuss your specific situation.

Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Level Two Chimney Joliet, serving Joliet, Shorewood, Crest Hill, Lockport, Romeoville, Plainfield, New Lenox, Homer Glen, Bolingbrook, Lemont, Mokena, and Oswego since 2009.