Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Chimney Company in Evanston, IL
Chimney repair in Evanston usually starts with a masonry crown or clay tile liner that has failed after decades of Lake Michigan weather. We see it constantly in the older homes here: freeze-thaw cycles crack the crown, moisture gets in, and the liner starts spalling. Sandstone Chimney Sweep has served Evanston since 2017, and our repair work uses DuraFlex and HeatShield systems built for exactly these conditions. Call (833) 589-7835 when you need a diagnosis you can trust.
Why Evanston Homes Are Different
Evanston’s housing stock spans more than a century, and that changes how we approach every chimney. Turn-of-the-century Victorians and tutor mansions near the lake often still have their original 1920s-era brick chimneys with clay tile liners. Those liners absorb moisture from Lake Michigan’s humid air, and after enough freeze-thaw cycles they begin to flake and crack. We regularly pull out pieces of spalled clay tile during inspections in the Ridge Historic District.
Mid-century ranches and bungalows in northwest Evanston present a different problem. Their flues are shorter, which means smoke cools faster and creosote condenses more readily. When homeowners add modern fireplace inserts to those shorter flues, the buildup accelerates. A flue that was marginal with an open hearth becomes a real hazard with a high-efficiency insert.
Then there’s the lake effect. Cold, humid winters and frequent freeze-thaw cycles crack masonry crowns faster here than inland. Spring inspections are critical after heavy snow years, because a crown that froze and cracked in February is quietly letting water into the chimney all summer. By fall, that water has done its damage.
In neighborhoods like the Ridge Historic District, we also find abandoned oil flues behind old fireplaces, leftover from coal-to-oil conversions in the 1940s. Those need capping and sealing to stop downdrafts and keep pests out.
Styles & brands we work with
Our Main Evanston Services
Evanston homeowners call us most about two things: getting their chimney swept before burning season and clearing dryer vents that have become fire hazards. Both are covered below.
Chimney Sweep in Evanston
A chimney sweep in Evanston is more than running a brush up the flue. Older chimneys with clay tile liners need careful cleaning to avoid damaging already-fragile tiles, and glazed creosote from shorter mid-century flues requires more than a standard sweep. We inspect as we clean, documenting everything. For the full breakdown of our sweeping process in Evanston, see Chimney Sweep in Evanston.
Dryer Vent Cleaning in Evanston
Lint-clogged dryer vents are one of the most common household fire risks, and in older Evanston homes the vent runs are often long and convoluted. We clean the full run from dryer to exterior termination, checking for kinks, sagging, and improper materials along the way. You can address two fire hazards in one visit. Details are on our Dryer Vent Cleaning in Evanston page.
What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees — you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
- 3
A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
- 4
You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Chimney Repair in Evanston
Chimney repair in Evanston is driven by two forces: masonry that has survived a century of lake moisture and liners that were never designed for modern heating appliances. We regularly rebuild crowns on 1920s-era chimneys in the lakefront neighborhoods, and we replace clay tile liners that have spalled and cracked beyond safe use. When we recommend a repair, we show you the camera evidence first. If it can safely wait, we tell you that too. Our repair work uses specification-grade materials from DuraFlex and HeatShield, and our full repair scope is covered on our Chimney Repair hub page.
Chimney Crown Repair
Signs you need it
You see cracks in the concrete cap on top of the chimney, or water staining on the ceiling near the fireplace.
What it costs in Evanston
Chimney crown repair in Evanston typically runs $600 to $1,200 depending on crown condition and whether we need to remove and re-pour it.
How we do it
We remove the damaged crown, form and pour a new concrete crown with a proper drip edge, and seal it against Lake Michigan moisture.
Chimney Flashing Repair
Signs you need it
Water is leaking where the chimney meets the roofline, or you see rusted, lifted, or missing metal flashing around the chimney base.
What it costs in Evanston
Chimney flashing repair in Evanston typically costs $400 to $1,000 depending on access and how much flashing needs replacement.
How we do it
We remove the old flashing, install new step and counter flashing cut to fit your roofline, and seal the transition so water cannot get behind it.
Chimney Liner Installation
Signs you need it
Your clay tile liner is cracked, spalled, or missing sections, or you are installing a new furnace or insert that requires a properly sized liner.
What it costs in Evanston
Chimney liner installation in Evanston typically runs $2,500 to $5,000 depending on flue height and the liner system required.
How we do it
We size the liner to the appliance, run a DuraFlex stainless liner down the existing flue, insulate where the code requires it, and connect the appliance properly.
Chimney Cap Installation
Signs you need it
Rainwater enters the flue, or you are finding birds, squirrels, or debris inside the chimney.
What it costs in Evanston
Chimney cap installation in Evanston typically costs $300 to $650 including the cap itself and installation.
How we do it
We install a stainless cap sized to your flue with proper screening to keep out rain and animals while allowing adequate draft.
What Chimney Repair Costs in Evanston
| Item | Typical range in Evanston |
|---|---|
| Chimney cap installation | $300 – $650 |
| Chimney crown repair | $600 – $1,200 |
| Chimney flashing repair | $400 – $1,000 |
| Chimney liner installation | $2,500 – $5,000 |
These are typical ranges for Evanston homes, not fixed quotes. Your final price depends on flue height, roof access, and what we find during inspection.
How long does chimney repair take in Evanston?
Most chimney repairs in Evanston are completed in one day. Crown repair and flashing work are typically same-day jobs. Liner installation can run a second day if insulation and appliance reconnection are involved.
Do I really need a new liner, or can it be repaired?
If the clay tiles are cracked in a few spots, a HeatShield resurfacing may restore the liner. But if tiles are missing or the flue is too large for a modern insert, a DuraFlex stainless liner is the durable fix. We show you the camera footage before recommending either path.
Brands We Service in Evanston
We stock parts from DuraFlex, HeatShield, and Copperfield locally, so most repairs in Evanston do not wait on shipping. If your existing chimney has a Famco cap or Olympia Chimney component, we service those too. See our brands for the full list.
See the difference
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After
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AfterPricing for Chimney Company in Evanston, IL
| Service | Typical range in Evanston |
|---|---|
| Chimney sweep | $180 – $340 |
| Chimney cap installation | $300 – $650 |
| Chimney crown repair | $600 – $1,200 |
| Chimney flashing repair | $400 – $1,000 |
| Chimney liner installation | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Dryer vent cleaning | $130 – $250 |
What pushes price up in Evanston is usually roof access on taller Victorians and lakefront homes, plus the condition of the existing masonry. We give a flat price before work starts, and the estimate is always free. Call (833) 589-7835 to schedule.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Evanston
We work throughout Evanston, from the lakefront to the northwest neighborhoods. Our typical response time for the Evanston area is same week, and we batch our schedule so we can often get to you within a few days.
- Ridge Historic District
- Lakeshore
- Northwest Evanston
- Central Street
- Main-Dempster
Service Area – Cities Near Evanston
If you live just outside Evanston, we serve the surrounding North Shore and Chicago neighborhoods too. That includes Wilmette, IL, West Ridge, IL, Skokie, IL, and Rogers Park, IL. Same team, same flat-price promise.
Serving Evanston, IL — Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Evanston area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage — if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About Chimney Company in Evanston
Most Evanston inspections are scheduled within the same week. During fall rush, it can stretch to ten days, so we recommend booking a sweep in late spring or early summer after the freeze-thaw season has done its damage. Call (833) 589-7835 and we will get you on the calendar.
Evanston requires permits for structural repairs and liner installations, but not for routine cleaning. We handle the permit paperwork when it is needed. For simple sweeps and cap replacements, no permit is required.
Yes. Many Evanston homes have masonry chimneys, but mid-century ranches often have prefab systems. We work on both, and we service the chimney rather than the firebox itself, so whether your fireplace is masonry or factory-built, the flue and crown are our responsibility.
What happens when you call
- 1A real person answersNo phone trees — talk to a local chimney cleaning pro.
- 2You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched. No surprises.
- 3We come out and measureLicensed & insured, at a time that suits you — the visit and the quote are both free.
- 4You get the price in writingLine-itemed, yours to keep, and nothing starts until you say go.
What Evanston Customers Say
"Thorough sweep and a clear report. He was running late from the job before and arrived near the end of the window, though he did call to warn me."
— Steve Mercer"Drop cloths everywhere, HEPA vac, and not a speck of soot on the carpet. I'd been dreading the mess for nothing."
— Luis Delgado"Level two inspection before we bought the house. The report was detailed enough to use as a negotiating point and he explained every photo in it."
— Angela Wong