Frequently Asked Questions

We inspect the firebox and flue, run a brush sized to your flue diameter from top to bottom or bottom to top depending on access, remove creosote and soot, vacuum the firebox and smoke shelf, and do a visual check of the cap, crown, and flashing. Then we run a camera through the flue and send you before and after photos. You see the finished result. The whole visit typically runs 45 to 90 minutes in a West Covina home.

Once a year if you burn wood regularly during the cooler months. West Covina winters are mild, but many homes in Hacienda Heights and Diamond Bar still use fireplaces from November through February. If you burn unseasoned wood or use the fireplace more than twice a week, sweep every six months. Gas log sets need an annual inspection but less frequent cleaning. The National Fire Protection Association recommends an annual inspection regardless of use.

Yes. Gas fireplaces produce less creosote but still collect dust, pet hair, spider webs, and occasional debris from the cap. More importantly, gas units need a check for proper venting and carbon monoxide clearance. We clean the log set area, inspect the vent pipe, and verify the damper functions correctly. Many West Covina homes with older gas inserts haven't had the venting checked since installation.

Most single-fireplace homes in West Covina are done in 45 to 90 minutes. A two-story chimney with a steep roof pitch pushes closer to two hours. If we're also removing an animal nest or treating glazed creosote, the visit runs longer. You'll get a live arrival time when you book, not a four-hour window, so you know exactly when to expect us.

You shouldn't have to. We lay drop cloths around the hearth, run a HEPA-filtered vacuum during the entire brushing process, and clean the firebox before packing up. Most homeowners in Covina and West Covina tell us the room looks the same as when we arrived, minus the soot in the chimney. If we're working on a windy day with the door open, we'll wipe down surfaces before leaving.

Sometimes, but not always. In West Covina homes with a straight flue and easy rooftop access, a top-down clean gets better results and is safer for the tech. Some setups, like a chimney with a tight chase or a cathedral ceiling, work better from the bottom up. We assess on arrival and tell you which method we'll use. The written quote covers both approaches.

Move furniture and decor at least six feet away from the hearth, clear the mantel, and make sure the fire is fully out at least 24 hours before we arrive. If you have pets, keep them in another room. If your roof access requires a gate code or the chimney is in a fenced yard, have that info ready. We handle everything else, from roof tarps to floor protection.

You don't have to be inside while we work, but we do need roof access and a way to reach the fireplace. Most homeowners in La Habra and Whittier just stay home and go about their day. If you need to run out, that's fine. We'll text you the before and after photos and leave the space clean. Payment happens through a digital invoice link, so no cash or check exchange is needed at the door.

We regularly install caps from Olympia Chimney and Famco because both hold up well to the dry heat and occasional heavy rain we see in the San Gabriel Valley. A stainless steel cap with a spark arrestor screen is the standard we recommend for most West Covina roofs. It blocks rain, keeps embers from escaping, and stops birds and squirrels from nesting in the flue. We carry multiple sizes and can match your flue diameter on site.

Both. HeatShield is a ceramic sealant system we use to repair cracked or deteriorated flue tiles without a full rebuild. It's a faster, more affordable option for many West Covina fireplaces showing age. Gelco products come into play for waterproofing the exterior masonry and crown. We'll show you the camera footage first, explain which product fits your situation, and give you a written quote before any repair work begins.

Usually, yes. We keep common cap sizes from Olympia Chimney and Famco stocked in the truck, so a rusted or missing cap can often be replaced during the same visit. If your flue has an unusual dimension or you want a custom copper cap, we'll order it and schedule a short return visit. The cap replacement price is always in writing before you approve it.

We focus on the interior flue, cap, crown, flashing, and damper. Full brick rebuilds or major structural masonry work goes to a specialist mason, and we're happy to recommend one we've worked with in the San Gabriel Valley. What we do handle in-house is the stuff that affects your chimney's function and safety: flue resurfacing with HeatShield, crown sealing with Gelco, cap replacement, and damper repair or replacement.

Every pro working under the Hadley name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires. The West Covina branch operates under the standards set by the Hadley Chimney Sweep brand, which includes a written price before work begins and photo documentation of every job. When you book, you'll know who's coming, when they'll arrive, and what the work will cost.

Yes. West Covina has a lot of mid-century homes built from the 1950s through the 1970s, and many still have their original masonry chimneys. Those flues often show mortar joint deterioration and cracked clay tiles by now. The team, led by Cory Mitchell, works on these older systems regularly and will show you exactly what the camera sees before making any repair suggestion.

Smoke backing up into the house, a chimney fire, a strong gas odor from a gas fireplace, or a fallen tree limb that damaged the cap or crown. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your utility company first, then call us at (661) 402-9036. For smoke backup, stop using the fireplace and call us. We're open Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, closed Saturdays.

Most weeks, yes. Real estate transactions in West Covina, Pomona, and Whittier move fast, and a Level 2 camera inspection is a typical contingency. Call (661) 402-9036 early in the week and we can usually get you on the schedule before your inspection deadline. We'll send the written report and photos the same day the inspection is done.

Don't light a fire. The smoke and heat will trap or kill whatever is up there, and a nest is a fire hazard either way. Call us and we'll remove the nest material, check the flue for damage, and install or repair a cap with a spark arrestor screen. Squirrels, birds, and raccoons are all common in West Covina's residential areas, especially near the South Hills and along the Walnut Creek corridor.

Every job is covered by the Relay Visibility Guarantee. You get a live arrival time you can track to your door, photo updates of the work before and after, a written price before anything starts, and a digital invoice you can pay from the link. If the work doesn't meet that standard, we make it right. That's the promise the Hadley brand has stood behind since 2003.

Cap and repair warranties depend on the product and scope. Olympia Chimney and Famco caps carry manufacturer warranties on materials, and our installation workmanship is covered under our standard service guarantee. For HeatShield flue resurfacing and Gelco waterproofing, we'll give you the specific coverage terms in writing before any work is approved. No verbal warranty claims, ever. You get it on paper.

Call us. You'll reach a live coordinator who can connect you with the local team. If the firebox wasn't cleaned to standard or you have concerns about the camera report, we'll send someone back to address it. The Relay Visibility Guarantee means you should never be left wondering what happened or whether the job was done right. You'll have photos of the work, and we stand behind what those photos show.

Yes. The estimate for a standard chimney sweep is given before booking and confirmed in writing when we arrive, based on the actual condition of your chimney. Repair quotes are always written and sent after the camera inspection shows what's actually needed. Call (661) 402-9036 for yours. You'll get a straight price, not a vague range that changes when the team shows up.

Written by Cory Mitchell, Owner at Hadley Chimney West Covina, serving West Covina since 2003.