Frequently Asked Questions

The National Fire Protection Association recommends a chimney inspection at least once a year, and a cleaning whenever creosote reaches 1/8 inch thick. For most Ontario homeowners who burn wood regularly from November through March, that means an annual sweep. If you burn unseasoned wood, use the fireplace more than three times a week, or have an older masonry chimney, you may need twice-yearly cleanings. Gas fireplaces need less frequent sweeping but still benefit from an annual inspection of the venting and connections.

A proper sweep is more than running a brush up the flue. We start by laying drop cloths and protecting your flooring and furniture, then run specialized rotary brushes through the full length of the flue to remove creosote, soot, and any debris. We clean the smoke chamber and damper assembly, remove accumulated ash from the firebox, and inspect the chimney cap and crown from the roof. The job ends with a visual inspection of the entire system and a photo report so you can see the condition for yourself.

Most cleanings in Ontario take between 45 and 90 minutes from setup to final walkthrough. Factors that push toward the longer end include heavy creosote buildup, difficult roof access on steep pitches, or a chimney that hasn't been cleaned in several years. If we're doing a Level 2 camera inspection, that adds another 30 to 45 minutes. We'll give you a realistic time window when you book, and we'll call if anything changes on the day of your appointment.

It shouldn't be, and we work hard to keep it that way. Our technicians use drop cloths, sealed vacuum systems, and containment methods designed to keep soot and dust out of your living space. The rotary brushes we use are enclosed, which dramatically reduces the amount of dust that escapes into the room. When the job is done, we vacuum the firebox and surrounding hearth area. You shouldn't have to clean your house after we clean your chimney.

Most of our cleanings are done from inside the house using an enclosed rotary system, which keeps ladders off your roof and your yard. There are times when roof access is necessary, such as when a chimney cap needs replacement or the crown requires inspection and repair. In those cases, our technicians use proper roof safety equipment and will protect your roof surface while they work. If we can do the job from inside, we will; it's faster and safer for everyone.

A Level 1 inspection is a visual check of the accessible parts of the chimney, done during a routine sweep when nothing about the system has changed. A Level 2 inspection is more thorough and includes a video camera scan of the flue interior. You'll generally need a Level 2 when you're buying or selling a home in Ontario, after a chimney fire or lightning strike, after an earthquake, or when you're changing fuel types. The camera scan shows liner cracks, hidden blockages, and separation that a visual inspection can't see.

We do both. Cleaning is our core service, but many of our Ontario customers call us because their sweep turned up a problem that needs attention. We repair chimney crowns, replace damaged caps, repair mortar joints, install and repair dampers, and handle liner work. We also do dryer vent cleaning and some related services. The advantage of using one company is that if your sweep reveals a problem, we can usually diagnose it on the spot, show you the camera evidence, and schedule the repair without another company getting involved.

We work with the major manufacturers in the industry, including DuraFlex liners, which are widely used in Ontario homes because of their flexibility and long lifespan, and Copperfield components, which are known for their quality chimney caps and dampers. We also install and service HeatShield liner repair systems, which can restore a damaged flue without a full liner replacement. If your chimney has parts from another manufacturer, we can typically source and install those as well.

Yes, we install stainless steel liners, and DuraFlex is one of the most common brands we use because of its proven track record in masonry chimneys. A stainless liner is the right solution when the original clay flue has cracked or deteriorated, when you're converting from wood to gas, or when a chimney was built without a proper flue liner. Installation requires a Level 2 camera inspection first so we can size the liner correctly and document the condition of the existing flue.

In many cases, yes. HeatShield is a cerfractory sealant system that repairs cracked and spalled flue tiles by coating the inside of the existing liner, restoring structural integrity and sealing gaps without tearing out the old flue. It's less expensive than a full liner replacement and works well for chimneys in Ontario where the masonry is still sound but the flue tiles have small cracks or gaps. We'll always show you the camera footage first so you can see the damage, and we'll tell you honestly whether HeatShield is appropriate or a full liner is the better long-term answer.

Yes, we replace both. A damaged or missing chimney cap lets rain, birds, and debris into the flue, and in Inland Empire wind conditions, you'll also get downdrafts on windy days. We install stainless steel caps sized to your flue, including models from Copperfield. Damper replacement is also common on older Ontario homes where the original throat damper has warped or seized. A top-mount damper is often a better choice than replacing the original, because it seals more tightly and reduces heat loss in summer.

Every technician working under our name is required to hold the licensing and insurance their state requires for chimney work. We operate as part of a national network of home service providers, which means you get the accountability of a larger organization with the local knowledge of technicians who work in Ontario and the surrounding cities every day. Before any work begins, you're welcome to ask about the specific credentials of the technician assigned to your job.

Our technicians are trained in industry-standard chimney sweeping and inspection practices, and we require the licensing and insurance that California expects of professionals doing this work. We don't publish individual certification numbers online, but your technician can tell you about their background and training when they arrive. What we can tell you is that our team has been serving Ontario and the nearby cities since 2014, and in that time we've built a reputation for careful, honest work.

Look for documented insurance, experience with your type of chimney, clear flat pricing, and a willingness to show photo evidence of any problem they claim to find. Avoid anyone who quotes over the phone without seeing the chimney, pressures you into immediate repairs, or can't explain what they're doing in plain language. In Ontario, you also want someone familiar with the older masonry chimneys common in neighborhoods near downtown and the newer construction in the Chino and Eastvale areas, since the issues differ.

Two things should send you to the phone immediately: smoke backing up into your living space, which suggests a blockage or drafting problem, and any sign of a chimney fire, like loud cracking sounds, dense smoke, or flames shooting from the chimney top. If you have an active chimney fire, call 911 first and leave the house. Once the fire department clears the scene, call us at (833) 467-7685 for a Level 2 inspection before you use the fireplace again. Carbon monoxide detector activation is also urgent; ventilate and call your gas company or fire department, then have the chimney inspected.

Same-day service depends on our schedule and what's happening that week, so we won't promise it blindly. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and we'll always do our best to prioritize genuine emergencies like active smoke backup or storm damage. When you call, a live coordinator will take your information and connect you with the local team to figure out the fastest path forward. For true active hazards, always call 911 first.

First, place a bucket or container under the leak and move anything valuable away from the hearth. Water in a fireplace usually means a chimney cap is missing or damaged, the crown has cracked, or the flashing around the chimney has failed. Our Inland Empire rainstorms aren't frequent, but when they arrive, small crown cracks become active leaks fast. Call (833) 467-7685 to schedule an inspection. We'll identify the entry point with photos so you can see the problem, then quote the repair. Water damage to masonry gets worse with every storm, so don't wait long.

You're hearing scratching, chirping, or rustling from the flue. In Ontario that's usually a bird, squirrel, or raccoon. Don't try to smoke the animal out by lighting a fire; that kills wildlife and creates a blockage that can force smoke into your home. Don't reach up into the flue. Call us at (833) 467-7685 and we'll assess the situation, help with humane removal options, and then install a proper chimney cap with a screen to prevent it from happening again. Animal nests also need full removal and a cleaning before you burn again.

Yes. We stand behind the work we do, and if something isn't right after a cleaning or repair, we'll come back and make it right. Our sweeps are done to industry standards, and our repairs carry workmanship coverage. The specific warranty on a repair depends on what was done; liner installations, for example, carry different coverage than a cap replacement. We'll spell out the warranty terms in writing on your invoice so there's no guessing later. That's been our practice since 2014 and it hasn't changed.

Call us and tell us what's bothering you. If we missed something, we'll return and address it. We don't consider a job done until you're satisfied that your chimney is clean and safe to use, and our flat-price model means you won't pay anything extra for a return visit that corrects our oversight. The team at Ontario Chimney has been working in this community for over a decade, and our reputation matters more to us than closing a ticket.

You'll always get a clear price before we begin, and for repairs, we provide a written estimate after the inspection is complete. That estimate includes the scope of work, the materials involved, and the total price. We don't start repair work until you've reviewed and approved the estimate. The one exception is a standard cleaning, where the flat price is quoted and confirmed during booking. If anything changes once we're on site and we find additional work is needed, we stop and discuss it with you before proceeding.

Written by the team at Ontario Chimney, serving Ontario, Upland, Montclair, Chino, Rancho Cucamonga, Claremont, Pomona, San Antonio Heights, Los Serranos, La Verne, Eastvale, and Jurupa Valley since 2014.