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 Northridge, CA
Chimney repair in Northridge runs into a specific problem: most of these homes were built in the 1950s and 60s, when a fireplace was decorative, not a heating system. The clay tile liners that went in then are now cracked, spalled, or missing sections entirely, and the first cool night in November is when homeowners find out. We inspect with cameras, show you the footage, and repair with specification-grade parts from brands like DuraFlex and HeatShield. Call (833) 589-9223 for a free estimate.
Why Northridge Homes Are Different
Northridge is mostly single-story ranch and tract construction from the 1950s through the 1970s, with original masonry fireplaces that were framed as selling features, not workhorses. The chimneys on these homes often have clay tile liners that have cracked from decades of thermal cycling, and many sit on low-pitch roofs where flashing details get sloppy and leak during winter rains. The San Fernando Valley’s hot, dry summers mean fireplaces sit unused for six or seven months at a stretch, which lets creosote harden into a glassy layer that a standard brush struggles to remove. Birds and squirrels move into uncapped flues during that idle stretch, and the first cold evening in November is when blocked flues announce themselves with smoke rolling back into the living room. After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, a lot of chimneys in the older tracts east of Reseda Boulevard and around Northridge Park were patched or rebuilt quickly, often without permits, and we still find mismatched flue tiles and missing spark arrestors from that era. Those repairs are now thirty years old and failing.
Styles & brands we work with
- Sweep & inspection
- Caps & crowns
- Flue relining
- Masonry repair
- Gas fireplace service
Our Main Northridge Services
Most Northridge homeowners call us for one of two reasons: the chimney hasn’t been swept in years and the fireplace won’t draw properly, or the dryer vent has never been cleaned and the dryer takes two cycles to finish a load. Both are maintenance issues that turn into fire hazards when ignored, and both are covered by one team.
Chimney Sweep in Northridge
A proper sweep in Northridge is more than running a brush up the flue. We remove the hardened creosote that Valley summers bake into place, clear out bird and squirrel nests, inspect the liner with a camera, and check the cap and crown. In older Northridge ranch homes we pay close attention to the smoke shelf and damper, where debris collects in fireplaces that were built for occasional cosmetic use. See the full breakdown on our Chimney Sweep in Northridge page.
Dryer Vent Cleaning in Northridge
Dryer vents in Northridge homes run through attics and crawl spaces, and when lint builds up, the dryer overheats and the run becomes a fire path. We clean the full run from dryer to exterior termination, check the transition hose, and verify the vent cap opens and closes properly. It’s a standalone service here because it’s a separate fire hazard most chimney companies don’t touch. Dryer Vent Cleaning in Northridge covers the full scope.
Chimney Repair in Northridge
Chimney repair in Northridge usually starts with a failed flue liner or a leaking flashing, and in 1950s and 60s ranch homes, both are common. The original clay tiles spall after decades of hot-cold cycles, and the low-pitch roofs put flashing under constant stress. We inspect, show you the damage on camera, and fix it with Chimney Repair materials built for the long haul, including HeatShield resurfacing when a full liner replacement isn’t necessary yet.
Chimney Cap Installation
Signs you need it
You hear animals in the flue or see nesting debris at the top, you get water down the chimney during rain, or there’s no cap on the flue at all.
What it costs in Northridge
Chimney cap installation in Northridge ranges from $280 to $640 depending on the flue size and cap material.
How we do it
We measure the flue, install a stainless or copper cap from Famco or Copperfield with a proper mechanical connection, seal the base, and verify the cap’s venting capacity matches your appliance.
Chimney Liner Installation
Signs you need it
Pieces of clay tile are falling into the firebox, the flue fails a camera inspection, or you smell smoke in adjacent rooms during use.
What it costs in Northridge
Chimney liner installation in Northridge runs from $2,200 to $4,500 for a typical single-story ranch, depending on flue height and liner type.
How we do it
We size and install a DuraFlex stainless liner to match your appliance, insulate where required, and secure it at the top plate with a proper cap and flashing detail.
Chimney Flashing Repair
Signs you need it
You see water stains on the ceiling near the fireplace, the flashing is lifting or corroded, or you can see daylight through the flashing joint from the roof.
What it costs in Northridge
Chimney flashing repair in Northridge ranges from $350 to $900, which includes new flashing and proper step and counter-flashing integration.
How we do it
We cut back the old flashing, install new copper or galvanized step flashing and counter-flashing, seal all intersections, and verify water doesn’t pool at the chimney base.
What Chimney Repair Costs in Northridge
| Item | Typical range in Northridge |
|---|---|
| Chimney cap installation | $280 – $640 |
| Chimney flashing repair | $350 – $900 |
| Chimney liner installation | $2,200 – $4,500 |
Costs climb when earthquake-era repairs left mismatched tile that must be removed before relining, or when a ranch home’s low-pitch roof makes flashing access awkward. You get a flat quote before we start and a camera report after we finish.
How often should a chimney in Northridge be repaired or inspected after the 1994 earthquake?
Any chimney that was patched or rebuilt after the 1994 Northridge earthquake should be inspected every year. We still find mismatched flue tiles and missing spark arrestors from those repairs, and they fail quietly. Call (833) 589-9223 to schedule an inspection.
Can a cracked flue liner in a Northridge rancher be repaired without full replacement?
Yes, in many cases. HeatShield resurfacing can restore a deteriorated clay liner without the cost and disruption of a full relining. It depends on the extent of the damage. Call (833) 589-9223 and we’ll show you the camera footage before recommending anything.
Brands We Service in Northridge
We stock and install parts from Gelco, Olympia Chimney, and Famco, and for liner work we use DuraFlex stainless and HeatShield resurfacing compound. Common caps and flashing are on the truck most weeks, which means typical Northridge repairs don’t wait on a parts order. See our brands for the full list.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
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AfterPricing for Chimney Company in Northridge, CA
| Service | Typical range in Northridge |
|---|---|
| Chimney sweep | $180 – $340 |
| Dryer vent cleaning | $130 – $260 |
| Chimney cap installation | $280 – $640 |
| Chimney cap replacement | $300 – $700 |
| Chimney flashing repair | $350 – $900 |
| Chimney crown repair | $400 – $1,000 |
| Chimney liner installation | $2,200 – $4,500 |
| Flue liner resurfacing (HeatShield) | $1,600 – $3,200 |
Northridge prices run a little higher on liner work because the earthquake-era repairs often left hidden damage that only shows up once we get a camera inside. The number we quote is the number you pay; no add-ons mid-job, no surprises at the end.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Northridge
We cover all of Northridge, from the ranch tracts around Northridge Park to the newer rebuilds east of Reseda Boulevard. Most homeowners in Northridge can get a sweep or inspection scheduled within a week.
- Northridge Park area
- Dearborn Park
- Sherwood Forest
- Northridge East
- Devonshire Highlands
Service Area – Cities Near Northridge
Our service area covers the communities around Northridge, including Winnetka, CA, North Hills West, CA, North Hills East, CA, and Lake Balboa, CA. If you’re in one of these neighboring areas and need a sweep or liner inspection, same scheduling applies.
Serving Northridge, CA – Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Northridge 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 Northridge
Most Northridge homeowners can get an inspection within a week, and we schedule more tightly in September and October, before the first cold snap. Call (833) 589-9223 and we’ll find a time that works.
Most repair work, like cap installation, flashing, and HeatShield resurfacing, doesn’t need a permit. Full rebuilds after earthquake damage can trigger permit requirements, and we’ll tell you plainly if your project crosses that line before any work starts.
Yes, and it’s common for Northridge homeowners to bundle them, especially before the winter burning season. One visit covers the sweep, the dryer vent, and any repair estimate. Call (833) 589-9223 to schedule both together.
If your Northridge chimney hasn’t been inspected since the 1994 earthquake, or you know the liner is cracked but haven’t seen the camera footage, call Chimney Sweep Northridge at (833) 589-9223. We’ll show you exactly what’s going on and what it costs to fix, with a free estimate before any work begins.
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 Northridge 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."
- Chris Meyer"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."
- Veronica Guzman"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."
- Adam Lawson