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 Northlake, IL
Chimney repair in Northlake usually means addressing the original clay tile flues and brick exteriors on homes built between 1945 and 1970. We’re Sandstone Chimney Sweep, and we’ve served Northlake since 2017, working on the post-war capes and ranches that line streets off North Avenue and Wolf Road. Most of the repairs we do here come down to freeze-thaw damage, cracked flue tiles, and dampers that stopped closing years ago. Call (833) 589-7835 if you suspect any of those problems.
Why Northlake Homes Are Different
Northlake is a tight grid of post-war housing. The homes sit close together, and most still carry the original exterior brick chimneys from the 1950s and 60s. Those chimneys were built with clay tile liners, which worked fine for open fireplaces but don’t always hold up against decades of Chicago winters. We see the same pattern again and again: water gets into the brick, freezes, and pushes the mortar joints apart. By spring, homeowners notice spalling, which is the flaking or popping of brick faces, and cracked flue tiles that show up on a camera inspection.
The heating season here is long, so creosote accumulates quickly in wood-burning fireplaces. Spring becomes the busiest inspection window, when people finally look up and notice what winter did to the crown and the mortar. And because lots are narrow, roof access is often awkward. Chimneys sit close to the property line, sometimes within a few feet of a neighbor’s dormer or gutter line. It’s routine work for us, but it means our technicians treat every roof carefully.
Many Northlake fireplaces were converted to gas at some point over the years. That’s a detail that matters. A gas conversion often leaves the original clay flue in place, and the flue may be oversized or deteriorated for the new appliance. We frequently find ourselves recommending liner work on houses where the chimney was never updated for the changeover.
Styles & brands we work with
Our Main Northlake Services
Most calls we get from Northlake homeowners involve one of two things: a chimney that hasn’t been cleaned in years, or a dryer vent that’s quietly packed with lint behind the wall. We handle both, and we can do them in the same visit.
Chimney Sweep in Northlake
A chimney sweep in Northlake often starts with a roof inspection because so many of these homes have steep pitches and tight access. We remove creosote and soot from the flue, check the damper, and put a camera up the chimney to look for cracked tiles or separation. On post-war homes, it’s common to find Stage 2 creosote buildup from regular use during long winters. If you haven’t had your flue looked at in a few years, start here. Chimney Sweep in Northlake
Dryer Vent Cleaning in Northlake
Dryer vent cleaning in Northlake is a quiet but important job in older homes, where the vent run often terminates through the roof or a side wall. Lint accumulates over years, and because these houses are close together, vent exhaust can be restricted by screens, bird guards, or sagging flex pipe behind the laundry room wall. We clean the full run from dryer to termination point and verify airflow at the exhaust. Dryer Vent Cleaning in Northlake
We also bring the same chimney tools to nearby communities like Franklin Park, IL and Stone Park, IL.
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 Northlake
Chimney repair in Northlake is almost always about the brick and the flue liner. The original chimneys on these post-war homes are plain exterior masonry structures with clay tile liners. Fifty or sixty years of freeze-thaw cycles have done the damage. We see cracked crown mortar, spalling brick, rusted dampers, and flue tiles that have separated enough to be a real fire and carbon monoxide concern. When we recommend work, it’s because we put a camera in the flue and saw it ourselves. You’ll see the photos, too, before any work is approved. This is the core of what we do at Chimney Repair.
Chimney Cap Installation
Signs you need it
You have no cap at all, or the old cap is rusted through and sitting loose on the crown.
What it costs in Northlake
A standard cap installation in Northlake typically runs $265 to $465, depending on the flue size and whether the old cap needs to be removed first.
How we do it
We measure the flue opening, set a stainless steel or copper cap over the tile, and secure it to the crown with fasteners rated for masonry.
Chimney Liner Installation
Signs you need it
Your clay tile flue is cracked, separated, or missing pieces, or your furnace or water heater has been updated but not the flue it vents into.
What it costs in Northlake
Chimney liner installation in Northlake is a significant repair, typically $3,225 to $6,450, depending on flue height, access, and whether the old tiles must be broken out first.
How we do it
We run a camera to confirm the flue condition, size the liner to the appliance, drop a DuraFlex liner down the chimney, and connect it at the top and bottom with proper terminations.
Chimney Flashing Repair
Signs you need it
You see water staining on the ceiling near the chimney, or the flashing has pulled away from the brick and roof line.
What it costs in Northlake
Flashing repair in Northlake is typically $435 to $965, depending on whether we’re resetting the existing metal or cutting in new step flashing and counter flashing.
How we do it
We remove the old flashing, inspect the roof deck underneath, install new step flashing against the chimney, and seal it with a high-grade chimney sealant.
Chimney Crown Repair
Signs you need it
The concrete crown at the top of the chimney is cracked, spalling, or pulling away from the flue tile.
What it costs in Northlake
Crown repair in Northlake usually falls between $735 and $1,285, depending on whether we’re sealing cracks or rebuilding the whole crown with new concrete.
How we do it
We clean the crown surface, repair damaged areas, pour or trowel a new crown with the proper slope, and add a flexible crown sealer to prevent future water penetration.
What Chimney Repair Costs in Northlake
| Item | Typical range in Northlake |
|---|---|
| Chimney cap installation | $265 – $465 |
| Chimney flashing repair | $435 – $965 |
| Chimney liner installation | $3,225 – $6,450 |
How do I know if my Northlake chimney actually needs a new liner?
You won’t know for sure without a camera inspection. In Northlake, where clay tile liners from the 1950s and 60s are common, we regularly find cracked or missing tiles. If the flue is compromised, a new liner is necessary, not optional. Call (833) 589-7835 and we’ll show you the video before recommending any work.
Can I keep using my fireplace if the crown is cracked?
A cracked crown lets water into the chimney structure, which accelerates freeze-thaw damage. You can still burn, but each winter makes the problem worse. In Northlake’s climate, crown repair is a job we recommend doing before the next hard freeze. Call (833) 589-7835 for a free estimate.
Brands We Service in Northlake
We stock and work with professional-grade chimney products from the lines used by restoration contractors: HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, and Famco. That means we’re not substituting big-box parts. If we need a specific liner component or crown material, we can usually get it within a few days. Learn more about our brands.
See the difference
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AfterPricing for Chimney Company in Northlake, IL
| Service | Typical range in Northlake |
|---|---|
| Chimney sweep (standard, one flue) | $228 – $385 |
| Chimney cap installation | $265 – $465 |
| Chimney cap replacement | $315 – $555 |
| Chimney flashing repair | $435 – $965 |
| Chimney crown repair | $735 – $1,285 |
| Chimney liner installation | $3,225 – $6,450 |
| Mortar joint repair (per 10 sq ft) | $485 – $890 |
| Damper replacement | $425 – $875 |
In Northlake, two things push a repair price up: roof steepness and access to the chimney, and the condition of the flue once we get a camera inside. We give you an upfront price before we start, so there are no surprises.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Northlake
We work across the whole 60164 ZIP code, which covers all of Northlake’s residential streets, from the blocks around North Avenue up to the neighborhoods near the Metra line. Most jobs are on post-war ranches and capes with original exterior chimneys. We’re in the area regularly, and scheduling a visit is usually easy within a week.
- Northlake Village center
- The blocks along Wolf Road
- Homes off North Avenue
- Neighborhoods near the West Leyden High School area
- Streets near the Northlake Metra station
Service Area – Cities Near Northlake
Beyond Northlake, our crews work throughout the near-west suburbs. We regularly serve Franklin Park, IL, Stone Park, IL, Melrose Park, IL, and Berkeley, IL. If you’re just over the village line, call (833) 589-7835 and we’ll tell you honestly whether we can get to you.
Serving Northlake, IL — Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Northlake 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 Northlake
We’re in Northlake regularly and can usually schedule an inspection or sweep within a week. If you have an active leak or a visible chimney problem, let us know when you call (833) 589-7835 and we’ll work to get there sooner.
For most chimney repairs, like crowns, flashing, caps, and liner work, no village permit is required. If a full teardown and rebuild is ever needed, that’s different, and we’d help you work through the village’s process. We know the expectations for Northlake’s older homes.
Yes. A pre-purchase chimney inspection is one of the smartest things you can do on these post-war homes. We camera the flue and give you a written report with photos. Call (833) 589-7835 to book an appointment around your closing timeline.
If you’ve got an older Northlake chimney that hasn’t been looked at in a while, the best time to call is now, before the next freeze-thaw cycle starts. Reach Sandstone Chimney Sweep at (833) 589-7835 for a free estimate. We’ll show you what we find and tell you honestly what needs work and what can wait.
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 Northlake Customers Say
"Creosote buildup was worse than I realized. He measured it, showed me the glazing on the flue with the camera, and was honest that we were closer to a chimney fire than I wanted to hear."
— Shannon Miller"Fireplace had never drawn properly since we moved in. He found the damper was only opening halfway due to a bent linkage and fixed it in ten minutes."
— Marisol Martinez"Liner was cracked in two places. He walked me through the repair options honestly, including the one that was cheaper for him and better for me."
— Amanda Hayes