Before & After Gallery - Flint Chimney Co Hempstead

Chimney Cleaning Before & After in Hempstead, NY

Photos tell the truth faster than any sales pitch. Below are real transformations from chimney cleaning jobs around Hempstead, Uniondale, and West Hempstead. The before shots show what we found. The after shots show what a proper sweep with the right brushes and vacuum setup leaves behind. No filters, no staging. If you’ve got a fireplace that hasn’t been looked at in a few seasons, this is what you’re dealing with.

Call (516) 559-6922

Recent Transformations

Stage 3 Creosote Removal in a Hempstead Colonial

BeforeAfter

The flue in this 1970s colonial off Peninsula Boulevard hadn’t been swept in at least four years. What we found was Stage 3 creosote: a hard, shiny glaze that sticks like tar and burns hot if it ever ignites. We ran rotary cleaning loops with specialized creosote remover, then followed with a full vacuum pass to pull the loosened debris out. After the sweep, our camera inspection confirmed the flue walls were back to solid surface. The homeowner got a photo report for their records.

Animal Nesting Debris Blocking a Chimney off Front Street

BeforeAfter

A homeowner near Front Street called because smoke was backing into the living room every time they lit a fire. The chimney cap was missing, and squirrels had built a nest on the smoke shelf. We pulled out two contractor bags of twigs, leaves, and insulation. Then we swept the full flue, installed a new chimney cap, and verified the draft with a smoke test. No more backups, no more squirrel noises.

Soot and Ash Clearout Before Winter in West Hempstead

BeforeAfter

This West Hempstead family burned a lot of unseasoned wood the previous winter. The result was a flue lined with soft soot, with a visible drop in draft. Our standard sweep took about an hour: brushes from top down, vacuum running the whole time, drop cloths protecting the hearth. The after photo shows a clean, open flue. More important, the homeowner noticed the fireplace drew better immediately.

Rusted Damper Replacement Paired with a Full Sweep

The damper on this Hempstead fireplace was rusted solid, barely opening a quarter inch. That meant every fire sent smoke curling back into the room. We did a full sweep first to clear the years of soot, then replaced the damper with a properly sized cast-iron unit. The homeowner could feel the difference the first night: full range of motion, no smoke, and the fire actually heated the room.

Flue Deterioration Caught During a Routine Cleaning

Sometimes the sweep itself is what uncovers the bigger problem. During a standard cleaning at a house near Hofstra, our camera inspection revealed cracked flue tile joints about 12 feet up. The before shot shows the gaps; the after shows the flue cleaned and the damage marked for repair. We gave the homeowner a written quote for flue relining (replacing the inner liner that channels smoke safely out of the house) using DuraFlex or HeatShield, depending on their preference. Nothing was urgent, but they now have the evidence and a plan.

Chimney Cap and Screen Replacement After Water Damage

Rain had been getting into this chimney off Hempstead Turnpike through a damaged cap. The water sat in the smoke chamber, causing rust streaks and damp-lining smell in the firebox. We removed the old cap, swept the full flue to clear the accumulated debris, and installed a new cap with proper screening to keep out animals and weather. The homeowner saw the rust stain disappear from their firebox after one good rainstorm.

Want Results Like These?

Every chimney cleaning job with us starts with a written price and ends with photographic proof of what we found and what we left behind. If you’re in Hempstead or nearby, call (516) 559-6922. A live person answers, we’ll talk through your fireplace, and we’ll get you on the schedule before the burn season fills it up.

Written by Hank Delano, Owner at Flint Chimney Co Hempstead, serving Hempstead, NY since 2002.