Chimney Sweep, Inspection & Repair in Kirkland, WA

Local Conditions

Chimney problems we see in Kirkland

Kirkland's heavy tree cover is the first thing we notice on chimneys here. Fir and maple canopy over a roof means needles, leaves and seeds landing on the cap and washing down into the flue with every storm. Caps and spark screens clog, moss takes hold on the crown and the shaded side of the masonry, and a blocked cap can push smoke or carbon monoxide back into the house. For many Kirkland homes, a cap inspection and cleaning is as important as the sweep itself.

• Older lakeside masonry: Homes in older lakeside neighborhoods often have original brick chimneys with clay tile flues. Decades of Puget Sound rain soak into brick and mortar, and our occasional freeze-thaw cycles widen small cracks. Common findings are spalling brick, a cracked crown, failed flashing and cracked or shifted flue tiles.
• 1980s to 2000s prefab: Many newer Kirkland homes have a metal factory-built fireplace inside a wood-framed chase. The weak points are the chase cover rusting through, a missing or deteriorated cap, and water running into the firebox.

What that means for you: a masonry chimney here usually benefits from a camera inspection of the flue and a close look at the crown and flashing, with waterproofing and crown repair as the most common fixes. A prefab system needs its chase cover and cap checked and, if the unit is damaged, often a replacement rather than a repair.

Kirkland splits fairly evenly between traditional masonry fireplaces and prefab (zero-clearance) units. Masonry chimneys in the older lakeside neighborhoods frequently have unlined or deteriorating clay flues that call for a camera inspection and sometimes a stainless liner. Prefab fireplaces have a rated metal pipe and a chase that must be checked for water damage. A large share of both types have been converted to gas logs or inserts, which still need the venting and cap inspected, just with less soot to remove.

Scheduling

Scheduling & arrival in Kirkland

We schedule Kirkland appointments Sunday through Friday, 7am to 8pm. After you call or text 206-207-3974, we confirm the time by phone or text, and your technician calls ahead on the day of the visit. Plan on about an hour for a sweep and inspection. Any repairs we recommend are quoted in writing after the inspection, so you can decide at your own pace.