Frequently Asked Questions

A technician arrives in a marked window, runs a camera the full length of your flue to document condition, then rotary-brushes creosote and debris from the liner, smoke chamber, and firebox. We capture before-and-after footage, test draft and airflow, and provide a written photo report within 24 hours. The process takes 60-90 minutes for a single-flue system. In Atlanta's older neighborhoods like College Park and Clarkston, we often find unlined brick flues that require additional documentation for insurance purposes.

The NFPA recommends annual inspection for all chimneys; sweeping frequency depends on use. Wood-burning fireplaces used regularly need sweeping every 50-70 fires, which for many Atlanta households means annually before burning season. Gas fireplaces still require yearly inspection for vent blockages and moisture damage, though they produce minimal creosote. Homes in East Point and Decatur with mature oak canopy should check for leaf and squirrel nesting debris each fall. We send reminder texts based on your last service date.

Yes, immediately - there's no curing or drying time. We leave the firebox clean, the damper lubricated and functional, and the flue clear. The only exception is if we identify a repair need during inspection and you authorize same-day work; certain refractory repairs or crown sealing require cure time we'll specify on the invoice. Most Atlanta customers in North Atlanta and Brookhaven schedule their sweep in early October so the system is ready when temperatures drop.

Clear the hearth area of decorations and ashes if possible, and ensure we have driveway or street parking for our van. We bring drop cloths, HEPA vacuums, and our own lighting. If your roof is particularly steep or your chimney is behind a locked gate in a Sandy Springs or Dunwoody subdivision, mention it when booking so we bring the right ladder configuration. You don't need to be home for the entire appointment, but we do need interior access to the fireplace and exterior access to the cap.

Most single-flue residential sweeps take 60-90 minutes from arrival to departure. Multi-flue homes, historic properties with altered construction, or systems requiring extensive photo documentation may run closer to two hours. We schedule real windows, not all-day waits, and send a text when the technician is en route. Atlanta traffic patterns affect our routing between Marietta, Roswell, and intown neighborhoods, so we build realistic transit time into every appointment.

We install HeatShield cerfractory flue resurfacing for clay tile flues with minor gaps or spalling, and Olympia Chimney stainless steel liners for full relining jobs where the existing flue is compromised. Both carry manufacturer warranties we register on your behalf. HeatShield is particularly effective for the unlined or partially-lined brick chimneys common in 1920s-1950s Atlanta bungalows in Decatur and East Point. We specify the exact product, warranty term, and installed price in your written quote before work begins.

We source Gelco stainless steel caps for standard single-flue installations and Famco multi-flue covers for larger chimney profiles or custom crown conditions. Both are 304 or 316 stainless depending on exposure - critical in Atlanta's humidity, where galvanized caps rust through in three to five years. We measure on-site and show you cap options with installed pricing before ordering. The cap is photographed during installation and noted in your permanent service record.

We document mortar color, brick dimension, and crown profile during inspection and source matching materials from regional suppliers when repairs are needed. Atlanta's historic districts, particularly in Grant Park and Inman Park, often require custom brick matching that adds lead time. We show you the proposed repair area, the matching sample, and the finished photo in your report. No repair starts without your written approval and a fixed price.

Every pro working under our name is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires, and we verify coverage before any technician represents Level Two Chimney Atlanta. Georgia does not issue a dedicated chimney sweep license, so our team holds appropriate contractor classifications and maintains general liability and workers compensation coverage. License numbers are provided on request and noted in your service documentation. This is Clause 3 of the Haven Standard - verified crews.

The Haven Standard is the five-clause operating code every Level Two 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 built from the documented inspection archive Level Two maintained since 2009.

Most chimney repairs and liner installations require a permit from the City of Atlanta or your municipality - Decatur, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, and others each have their own process. We pull permits as part of any job that requires them and schedule inspections as needed. For standard Level 2 inspections and sweeps, no permit is typically required. We advise on permitting during quoting so you're not surprised by delays or additional fees.

Active chimney fire, carbon monoxide detector alarm with suspected vent failure, sudden structural collapse of the crown or exterior brick, and water actively entering the firebox during rain are all emergencies requiring immediate response. Smoky odor, minor draft issues, or scheduled maintenance are not. If you suspect a chimney fire, evacuate and call 911 first, then call us for post-incident inspection. The phone is answered 24/7 at (470) 435-7984, and our coordinator will connect you with the on-call technician.

Yes, and a Level 2 camera inspection is required by NFPA 211 after any chimney fire before the system is used again. The fire often damages clay tile liners in ways invisible from below - cracks, spalling, or gap separation that create future fire pathways. We document all findings with video, provide the report for your insurance claim, and quote any necessary repairs in writing. In Atlanta, we've performed post-fire inspections in Virginia-Highland, Kirkwood, and throughout the metro area.

Downdraft or negative pressure in your home is pulling chimney odors down the flue, often when HVAC systems run or bathroom exhaust fans create pressure imbalances. It's not usually an emergency, but it signals poor draft or a blocked flue that needs inspection. In tight, energy-efficient homes common in newer Dunwoody and Johns Creek construction, this is increasingly common. A Level 2 inspection identifies whether the issue is pressure-related, cap-related, or indicates liner damage. Call (470) 435-7984 to schedule.

Our sweep and inspection service carries a 90-day guarantee: if you experience a draft or operational issue related to our work, we return at no charge. Repairs and installations carry longer warranties - HeatShield resurfacing is warranted for 20 years, Olympia stainless liners for lifetime (transferable), and Gelco and Famco caps for lifetime against manufacturing defect. All warranty terms are written on your invoice before work begins. That's Clause 1 in action - have it in writing.

We show you the camera footage, explain what we're seeing, and provide a separate written quote for any repair before proceeding. You are never obligated to authorize additional work during the sweep appointment. In fact, many conditions we find - minor crown cracking, early-stage mortar deterioration, surface rust on a damper - can be monitored annually rather than repaired immediately. We tell you what we found, what it means, and what timeline makes sense. No scare tactics, no urgency theatre.

The price we write is the price you pay - guaranteed. If we encounter a condition that genuinely changes scope (a collapsed flue liner we couldn't predict, for example), we stop work, show you the footage, and provide a revised quote before continuing. You approve every dollar. This is rare; in most cases, the written estimate matches the final invoice exactly. Clause 5 of the Haven Standard - no surprises - is how we've operated since 2009.

Olympia Chimney stainless steel liner warranties are transferable to subsequent owners with proper registration; HeatShield warranties transfer with documentation of the original service record. Our workmanship guarantee is tied to the original homeowner and does not transfer. We maintain all service records indefinitely, so any future owner can request documentation of what was found and when. This documentation often satisfies buyer inspection requests in Atlanta's competitive real estate market.

You receive a written invoice with itemized services, before-and-after inspection photos or video stills, any readings taken (draft, temperature, clearance measurements), and notes on conditions found. This becomes your permanent service record, accessible for future reference or insurance claims. In Atlanta, where home sales move quickly, this documentation often streamlines buyer due diligence. We can also provide the report directly to your insurance agent or realtor with your authorization.

Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Level Two Chimney Atlanta, bringing Level Two camera inspections to Atlanta homeowners under the Haven Standard.