Frequently Asked Questions

We arrive in a scheduled window, lay protective floor coverings, and run a rotary sweep system from the firebox up or the roof down depending on your flue configuration. Then we camera-scan the entire flue length, recording footage of every joint, liner section, and smoke chamber condition. You receive the video, still images, and a written condition assessment. In Boulder, we regularly see thermal expansion cracks in flue tiles from our wide temperature swings - freeze-thaw cycles stress masonry that coastal climates never test. The appointment typically takes 90 minutes for a single flue.

Annually if you burn regularly, and before the first fire each season even if you don't. Boulder sits at 5,430 feet with dry winters and sudden spring warm-ups; this climate accelerates creosote glazing when homeowners burn damp wood during shoulder-season cold snaps. The NFPA 211 standard recommends annual Level 2 inspection for all solid-fuel systems regardless of apparent condition. We've found dangerous creosote buildup in chimneys that "looked fine" from the firebox. Call (970) 598-0453 to schedule before burning season.

Yes, and most homeowners do. Our rotary sweep systems are contained within the flue and sealed at the firebox with a HEPA-filtered vacuum attachment. Some dust is normal, but we isolate the work area. If you have respiratory sensitivities common at Boulder's altitude, we can schedule the sweep when you're out - just mention it when booking. We text when the technician is en route so you can plan accordingly.

A standard Level 2 inspection and sweep takes 60-90 minutes for one flue. Homes in older Boulder neighborhoods like Whittier or Goss-Grove sometimes have unlined masonry flues or multiple wythes of brick, which extend the inspection time. We don't rush the camera work - Clause 4 of the Haven Standard requires documented footage of the full flue length. If we find damage requiring discussion, we'll show you the video on-site and explain options before any additional work.

Remove ashes from the firebox if they're more than a few inches deep, and clear the mantel and hearth area of decorative items. Don't burn a fire for 24 hours before we arrive - the flue must be cool for safe sweeping and accurate camera inspection. In Boulder, where many homeowners use their fireplaces as decorative features, we also ask that you remove any candles or flammable hearth decor. We bring our own drop cloths, tools, and vacuum. No special preparation is needed beyond these basics.

We primarily work with DuraFlex and Copperfield stainless steel liners for their track record in Colorado's freeze-thaw climate. DuraFlex's corrugated design accommodates offset flues common in 1960s-1980s Boulder construction, while Copperfield's smooth-wall options improve draft efficiency in taller foothill chimneys. For relining projects where full replacement isn't necessary, we also use HeatShield cerfractory sealant to restore cracked clay flue tiles. Every liner installation includes camera verification and a written warranty. We quote the specific product and scope in writing before starting, per Clause 1.

Yes, Gelco is among the cap brands we install when a flue needs protection from Boulder's frequent wind-driven rain and snow. A properly sized cap with mesh screening prevents animal intrusion - we've removed squirrel and raccoon nests from uncapped chimneys in Martin Acres and North Boulder - while allowing adequate draft. Gelco's stainless construction resists the corrosion we see in homes near irrigated open space where humidity lingers. Cap installation is quoted separately and documented with photos.

We carry common DuraFlex and Copperfield fitting sizes on our trucks, and we source HeatShield materials for in-situ repairs. For aesthetic components like decorative shrouds or custom caps on Boulder historic homes, we photograph your existing installation and source matching materials. We don't proceed with any component replacement without showing you the camera evidence of why it's needed and quoting the exact part in writing. Clause 1: Have it in writing.

Every professional working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance Colorado requires for chimney and hearth work. We verify this annually, and license numbers are available on request. Boulder County has specific mechanical permit requirements for liner replacement and new appliance connections; we pull these permits as part of our standard process when the scope requires it. You receive copies of all documentation in your job packet. This is part of the "Verified crews" commitment in our H.A.V.E.N. values code.

Permits are required for liner replacement, new appliance installation, and structural modifications to the chimney or chase. Routine Level 2 inspection and sweeping do not require permitting. When we quote liner or repair work, we include permit costs and handle submittal to Boulder County Building Division or the appropriate municipal authority. We never start permit-required work without the approved permit on-site - it's part of our written scope documentation under Clause 1.

The Haven Standard is the five-clause code every Emberly Chimney Cleaners branch works to: Clause 1, Have it in writing - flat price, written scope, written warranty before anyone starts; Clause 2, Arrive on schedule - a real window, a named tech, a text when they are on the way; Clause 3, Verified crews - licensed, insured, background-checked; Clause 4, Evidence on every job - photos and readings of what we actually found; Clause 5, No surprises - no door upsell, no scope creep, no "while we are in here." It was developed from Emberly's practice, dating back to 2009, of archiving camera footage before anyone required it.

Call 911 first, then call us after the fire department clears the scene. Chimney fires often announce themselves with a roaring sound, dense smoke, or visible flames at the chimney top - but slow-burning fires can go undetected and crack flue liners, creating carbon monoxide pathways. Do not use the fireplace again until a Level 2 camera inspection confirms flue integrity. In Boulder, where many homes have steep rooflines and masonry chimneys, the structural aftermath isn't always visible from the ground. We prioritize fire-follow-up inspections and document everything for your insurance. Call (970) 598-0453.

Yes, and this is common in Boulder where open space corridors bring wildlife into residential areas. Raccoons, squirrels, and occasionally owls enter uncapped flues. We can humanely remove accessible animals and install a proper cap to prevent recurrence. If the animal is trapped in a narrow flue or above the smoke shelf, we coordinate with local wildlife handlers and then inspect for nest material that could ignite. Never attempt to smoke out an animal - it can kill the creature and ignite nesting debris. Call (970) 598-0453.

Our phone is answered 24 hours a day, every day of the week. After hours, a live coordinator takes your information and connects you with the on-call technician for urgent situations like suspected chimney fires or carbon monoxide concerns. For routine scheduling and non-urgent questions, we return calls promptly during standard booking hours. The coordinator system ensures you reach someone who can dispatch help, not just take a message. Call (970) 598-0453 anytime.

Every job leaves with a written warranty specific to the work performed. Sweeps carry a satisfaction guarantee: if we missed something visible on camera, we return at no charge. Liner installations carry manufacturer warranties - DuraFlex and Copperfield stainless liners typically carry lifetime residential warranties when properly installed - plus our workmanship guarantee on the installation itself. HeatShield applications carry their own material warranty. All terms are spelled out in your written quote before work begins, per Clause 1. We don't ask you to trust a verbal promise.

We stop, show you the camera footage, and explain what we're seeing before proposing any additional work. No surprise charges, no "while we're in here" pressure - that's Clause 5 of the Haven Standard. In Boulder, we commonly find cracked flue tiles, deteriorated mortar joints, or missing chimney caps that weren't visible from the firebox. Sometimes the finding means work can safely wait a season; sometimes it means the chimney is unsafe to use until repaired. You see what we see, and you decide with a written quote in hand. Call (970) 598-0453 for an exact quote - estimates are free.

We carry general liability and workers compensation coverage for the protection of your property and our crew. Our rotary sweep equipment is designed to contact flue walls without damaging sound masonry or liners. In the rare event of an issue, we document pre-existing condition with our initial camera run so there's a clear record. Every technician working under our name is required to carry the insurance their state requires. Specific coverage details are available on request with your written quote.

You receive the complete camera video, timestamped still images, and a written condition report before we leave. If the flue passes inspection, we state that explicitly. If we find defects, we classify them by severity and explain which affect immediate safety versus long-term maintenance planning. In Boulder's climate, where thermal cycling is severe, we pay particular attention to thermal expansion cracks in flue tiles and spalling brick at the chimney top. You don't have to take our word for anything - the evidence is in your inbox. This is Clause 4: Evidence on every job.

Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Emberly Chimney Cleaners Boulder, serving Boulder, Niwot, Louisville, Lafayette, Erie, Broomfield, Longmont, Westminster, Frederick, Arvada, Thornton, and Wheat Ridge since 2009.