Before & After Gallery - Hearthstone Chimney Co.

Chimney Cleaning Before & After in Toms River, NJ

We’ve been cleaning chimneys in Toms River since 1984. Anyone can say they’re thorough. These jobs show what that actually looks like, from the flue to the firebox. Russell Haines and our crew document what we find, fix what needs fixing, and leave the proof where you can see it.

Call (609) 303-9679

Recent Transformations

Stage 3 Creosote Removal, North Dover Section

The homeowner in North Dover burned seasoned oak but never had the chimney swept in eight years. We found stage 3 glazed creosote, the kind that flakes off and ignites. Our crew used mechanical removal with professional-grade chains and whips, then ran a Level-2 camera inspection to confirm the flue tiles were intact. The firebox went from a liability to something they’d actually feel safe lighting.

Fireplace Smoke Stain Restoration, Silverton

This Silverton fireplace had been smoking into the room for two winters. The previous owner said it was “just old.” We found a partially blocked flue and a damper that wouldn’t fully open. After sweeping and mechanical cleaning, we adjusted the damper linkage and verified draft with a smoke pencil. The smoke stains came off the mantel and hearth with professional cleaning. No more smelling like a campfire in your own living room.

Chimney Cap and Crown Rebuild, Ocean Gate Border

The concrete crown on this Toms River chimney was cracked clean through, and water had been running down the flue for years. Russell Haines pointed out the rust stains on the masonry as evidence you didn’t need a ladder to read. We removed the damaged crown, poured a new one with a proper drip edge, and installed a Gelco stainless cap. The flue got swept while we were up there. Done right, and it’ll outlast the next owner.

Insert Fireplace Deep Clean, Downtown Toms River

A downtown Toms River homeowner called because their “efficient” insert was burning through wood faster than their old open fireplace. The secondary combustion channels were packed with ash and half-burned material from three seasons of neglect. We pulled the insert, cleaned every airway, checked the liner connection with our camera, and reseated the baffle correctly. The owner called back after the first fire to say they finally understood what “efficient” meant.

Prefabricated Chimney Chase Top Replacement, Pleasant Plains

The galvanized chase top on this Pleasant Plains home had rusted through at the center seam, which is exactly where water wants to go. By the time we opened the chase, the framing was damp and starting to mold. We fabricated a custom stainless replacement with a proper slope and integrated spark screen, then swept the prefab flue and documented everything with photos. The homeowner had no idea the top wasn’t original equipment, or that it was supposed to keep water out in the first place.

Historic Masonry Fireplace Restoration, Bay Shore Area

This 1920s fireplace in the Bay Shore area had never been properly maintained. The firebox bricks were spalling from decades of moisture and heat cycling, and the soot was half an inch thick in places. We hand-picked the worst bricks, repointed with matching lime mortar, and applied HeatShield refractory coating to restore the firebox to code-compliant condition. The owner wanted to keep the original look. We kept it, and made it safe to actually use.

Want Results Like These?

Every job here followed the same process: camera inspection, photo documentation, work done with professional-grade materials, and a plain-English explanation of what we found and what we did. No surprises on the bill. The 90-Day Done Right Promise covers it in writing.

Call (609) 303-9679 to schedule. A live person answers, 24 hours a day. Most sweeps and inspections are completed in a single visit. Ask about our $89 Seasonal Tune-Up or $50 off any repair over $250. Senior and veteran discounts are always available.

Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Toms River since 1984.