If your chimney has black creosote crusts thicker than a dime, a cracked brick liner, or smoke rolling into your Glenolden living room, you need a professional chimney sweep now. Swarthmore’s older brick homes, especially those built before 1980, often mask these issues until they’re critical. A licensed sweep will find them before they cause a chimney fire or force a $3,000+ repair. Call before winter hits: contact for a free inspection.
A chimney inspection is a hands-on check of your flue, liner, and masonry, not just a quick look down the pipe.
In Glenolden and Sharon Hill, where many homes have original brick chimneys from the 1920s or earlier, a true inspection means climbing onto your roof (if needed) to check for cracked mortar, rusted flashing, or deteriorated bricks. A chimney sweep who skips this step might miss the early signs of a failing liner or water damage, both common in Swarthmore’s humid summers and freeze-thaw cycles. At Midnight Blue Chimney, we use a borescope camera to see inside your flue without tearing into your masonry. This is especially critical if your chimney has never been inspected since the house was built. Swarthmore’s older homes often hide problems behind solid brick, problems that can turn into $5,000+ repairs if ignored.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America CSIA recommends an annual inspection for homes that burn wood, and a bi-annual inspection for those with gas fireplaces. But in Swarthmore, where many chimneys are over a century old, we often see homeowners go 5–10 years without one. That’s a gamble. If your chimney’s never been inspected, schedule one before your next fire season, especially if you’ve noticed drafts or soot stains on your ceiling.
Creosote buildup isn’t just dirt, it’s a flammable tar that turns into a chimney fire waiting to happen.
Creosote forms when wood smoke condenses on cold flue walls. In Glenolden’s older homes, where many chimneys lack modern liners, this buildup can reach dangerous levels faster. There are three stages: Stage 1 looks like soot (easy to sweep), Stage 2 forms glossy black crusts (harder to remove), and Stage 3 is a thick, tar-like goo that can ignite at 1,100°F. If you see black streaks on your fireplace glass or a shiny, tarry residue in your flue, your chimney sweep should be on the phone. We’ve pulled out chunks of Stage 3 creosote from Sharon Hill chimneys that looked fine from the outside, only to find a foot-long plug of flammable gunk inside.
The National Fire Protection Association NFPA reports that creosote is the leading cause of chimney fires. In Swarthmore’s climate, where winters are damp and summers humid, creosote builds up faster than in drier regions. Burning only seasoned hardwoods (oak, maple, or ash) and keeping your fire hot can slow buildup, but it won’t replace a professional sweep. If your last sweep was more than a year ago, or if you’ve switched to burning more wood, schedule one now, before creosote turns into a fire hazard. Learn how Swarthmore’s humidity affects your chimney.
Smoke pouring into your room instead of up the chimney means your draft is failing, and that’s a fire risk.
A proper chimney draft pulls smoke up and out. If smoke rolls into your Glenolden living room or lingers in the fireplace, your chimney’s draft is weak or reversed. This usually happens because of: - A blocked or collapsed flue (common in older brick chimneys with deteriorated mortar). - A damaged or missing chimney cap (letting rain or debris clog the top). - A cracked or rusted damper (which can also let cold air in, making your fireplace inefficient).
In Sharon Hill, we’ve seen homes with perfectly good fireplaces lose their draft because the chimney cap rusted through, or because birds nested inside the flue. A weak draft doesn’t just make your fireplace useless, it means unburned gases (like carbon monoxide) can seep into your home. If you’re lighting fires and getting smoke in the room, don’t wait until winter to fix it. A chimney sweep can diagnose the problem in minutes and often resolve it with a cap repair or damper adjustment. Here’s how to tell if your Swarthmore chimney has a draft problem.
Rust stains on your fireplace hearth or ceiling mean water is getting into your chimney, and that’s how brickwork fails.
Water is the silent destroyer of chimneys. In Swarthmore’s freeze-thaw cycles, water seeps into cracks in your brick or mortar, then expands when it freezes, widening those cracks over time. If you see rust stains on your hearth, white mineral deposits on the firebox, or damp spots on your ceiling, water is leaking into your chimney. This can lead to: - Crumbling mortar joints (which weaken your chimney’s structure). - Rusting metal components (like dampers or caps). - Mold growth inside the flue (which can spread into your home).
Older brick chimneys in Glenolden often have hairline cracks that let in rain. A chimney sweep can spot these during an inspection and recommend repointing (filling the cracks with fresh mortar) before they turn into a full-blown leak. We’ve repaired chimneys in Sharon Hill where homeowners ignored rust stains for years, only to find the brickwork was so deteriorated that the chimney needed a full relining. Learn how to spot water damage in your Swarthmore chimney early.
A chimney sweep who doesn’t ask about your liner type is missing half the job.
Not all chimneys have liners, and in Swarthmore’s older homes, many don’t. If your chimney was built before the 1980s, it likely relies on the original brick flue. Without a liner, your chimney is exposed to: - Creosote buildup directly on the brick (which can erode the masonry over time). - Acidic wood smoke (which corrodes brick and mortar). - Temperature fluctuations (which cause cracks).
If your chimney sweep doesn’t ask whether you have a liner (or if they assume you do), walk away. A proper inspection includes checking for cracks in the flue, measuring the liner’s thickness, and testing for gaps. In Glenolden, we’ve seen homes where the brick flue was so eroded that the chimney needed a stainless steel liner installed, at a cost of $2,500–$4,000. The good news? A liner can extend the life of your chimney by decades. If your sweep doesn’t mention liners, ask why. Swarthmore’s older brick homes often need liners, but many homeowners don’t realize it.
Animal nests or debris at the top of your chimney aren’t just a mess, they’re a fire and health hazard.
Birds, squirrels, and even raccoons love nesting in chimneys. In Sharon Hill, we’ve pulled out nests made of twigs, leaves, and, worst of all, animal droppings. These nests block your flue, trap moisture, and create a fire hazard. If you see feathers, chewed wood, or animal sounds coming from your chimney, call a sweep immediately. Even if you don’t see signs of animals, debris like leaves or pine needles can build up and restrict airflow. A chimney cap (which we install during sweeps) prevents this, but if your cap is missing or damaged, animals will move in.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA warns that animal nests can also introduce mold spores and bacteria into your home. We’ve had to clean chimneys in Glenolden where nests had been sitting for years, causing mold to spread into the living space. A professional sweep will remove nests safely and recommend a cap to keep them out. Learn how to animal-proof your Swarthmore chimney.
Your chimney sweep should leave you with a written report, not just a verbal summary.
A real chimney inspection report includes: - Photos of any damage (creosote, cracks, rust). - Measurements of creosote buildup (and whether it’s Stage 1, 2, or 3). - Notes on your liner (if you have one) and its condition. - Recommendations for repairs or maintenance.
Too many sweeps in Glenolden and Sharon Hill give homeowners a quick verbal summary and a handshake. But without a written report, you won’t have proof of what was done, or what needs fixing later. At Midnight Blue Chimney, we provide a detailed report after every inspection, including before-and-after photos. This is especially important if you’re selling your home: buyers or inspectors may ask for records of chimney maintenance. Here’s what a proper Swarthmore chimney inspection report should include.
| Service | Typical Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Sweep (no inspection) | $120–$180 | For homes with no visible issues and a clean flue. |
| Sweep + Inspection (with report) | $180–$250 | Includes borescope camera check and written findings. |
| Sweep + Minor Repairs (cap, damper) | $250–$400 | Adds labor for small fixes spotted during inspection. |
| Sweep + Liner Repair/Installation | $1,500–$4,000+ | Older brick chimneys often need relining after years of creosote buildup. |
| Emergency Fire Damage Cleanup | $500–$1,200 | For homes with active creosote fires or severe soot damage. |
| Annual Maintenance Plan (2 sweeps/year) | $300–$450 total | Discounted rate for regular customers in Swarthmore. |
Frequently Asked Questions
My chimney in Glenolden hasn’t been swept since I moved in 5 years ago. Is that okay?
No, especially if you’ve been burning wood. The Chimney Safety Institute of America CSIA recommends annual sweeps for wood-burning fireplaces. In Swarthmore’s humid climate, creosote builds up faster, and older brick chimneys (like yours) are more prone to hidden damage. Schedule a sweep now before winter, or you risk a chimney fire or costly repairs. Learn how often Swarthmore homeowners should sweep.
Why does my Sharon Hill fireplace smell like gas even when it’s not lit?
That’s carbon monoxide seeping in from a cracked flue or rusted damper. Older brick chimneys often develop micro-fractures over time, letting unburned gases into your home. Never ignore this, carbon monoxide poisoning is silent and deadly. Call a chimney sweep immediately for an inspection. Here’s how to spot gas leaks in your Swarthmore chimney.
My chimney sweep in Glenolden said my liner is ‘fine,’ but I see rust stains on the hearth. Should I be worried?
Yes. Rust stains mean water is leaking into your chimney, which can corrode your liner over time. A ‘fine’ liner today might fail next winter if moisture keeps seeping in. Ask your sweep to check for cracks in the flue or mortar. If they don’t inspect the masonry, get a second opinion. Water damage is the #1 enemy of Swarthmore chimneys.
I found a small crack in the brickwork of my chimney in Sharon Hill. Is that normal?
Not if it’s letting in rain. Hairline cracks in older brick chimneys can expand with Swarthmore’s freeze-thaw cycles, leading to bigger problems. A chimney sweep can seal minor cracks with repointing, but if the crack’s wider than a pencil, you may need a full masonry repair. Ignoring it risks water damage, rust, or even a collapsed section. Learn how to fix small chimney cracks before they worsen.