Family-owned chimney sweep serving Galesville since 2001. We specialize in pre-1950s brickwork, cracked liners, and the quirks of older homes. No shortcuts, just honest work and a chimney that performs.
Galesville’s older brick homes have charm, but their chimneys often act like stubborn mules. Cracked brick, rusted liners, and creosote buildup hide behind that cozy fireplace, waiting to cause real trouble. We’ve been fixing these exact problems in Galesville for years, and we know the warning signs most homeowners miss. Whether it’s a drafty flue, soot on your ceiling, or a liner that’s seen better days, we diagnose it fast and fix it right. No upselling, no guesswork, just a chimney that works like it should.
Comprehensive chimney sweep for Galesville homes and businesses.
Deep-cleaning for creosote, soot, and debris, especially critical in older brick chimneys where buildup hides in tight joints.
Spotting rust, cracks, or separation in clay or metal liners before they fail, and fixing them with the right material for your home.
Rebuilding cracked mortar, sealing leaks, and reinforcing weak brickwork to extend your chimney’s life.
Tuning up stoves, checking gaskets, and ensuring your fireplace drafts right, no more smoke in the room.
Removing soot, tar, and fire damage from flues, fireboxes, and surrounding areas after a chimney fire.
Sealing leaks at the crown, flashing, and base to keep Galesville’s rain and snow out of your chimney.
We hold ourselves to the highest standards so you can hire with total confidence.
Matthew and Steven Chimney Co has been serving Galesville and the surrounding areas for decades, specializing in the kind of brickwork and masonry that older homes demand. Unlike newer homes with straightforward chimney designs, the older homes in this part of Maryland often have quirks, hand-laid brick, custom liners, or even historic fireplaces that need a pro who understands their nuances. We don’t just sweep chimneys; we diagnose the hidden issues that come with aging masonry, from cracked flues to deteriorating mortar joints, before they turn into costly repairs. Our team knows the local climate’s toll on chimneys, too, freeze-thaw cycles, high humidity, and the occasional storm that can loosen bricks or damage caps. That’s why we inspect every inch, not just the obvious parts.
Most chimney sweeps treat every job the same. We don’t. The brick chimneys in Galesville’s historic neighborhoods have different quirks than newer homes, thinner mortar, older liners, and sometimes even hidden masonry repairs from decades ago. We’ve seen it all, and we know which problems to watch for that others miss. If your chimney’s acting up, we’ll figure out why before we touch a tool.
You won’t get sold on a liner replacement when a sweep will fix it, or talked into a full rebuild when a few bricks need tuckpointing. We’ll give you the straight facts about what’s wrong, what it’ll cost, and whether it’s worth fixing. If the answer’s ‘no,’ we’ll tell you. If it’s ‘yes,’ we’ll do the job right the first time. That’s how we’ve earned trust in Galesville for years.
We’re fully licensed to work in Maryland, carry million-dollar liability insurance, and stand by our work with a 30-day warranty on repairs. If we miss something, we’ll come back and make it right, no arguments. That’s not just policy; it’s how we’ve built our reputation in Galesville. You won’t find that kind of guarantee from every chimney sweep.
Chimney problems don’t wait for business hours. If your flue’s blocked, your liner’s rusting, or you’ve got smoke in the house, call us. We’ll get there fast, same-day service when we can, and give you a no-pressure estimate on the spot. No sitting on hold for weeks, no runaround. Just a local crew that shows up ready to work.
Give us a call or book online. We’ll ask a few quick questions to gauge the urgency, like whether you’re seeing smoke, soot, or drafts, and schedule a time that works for you. No sales pitch, no pressure. Just a straightforward chat about what you’re dealing with. If it’s an emergency, we’ll fit you in fast.
We climb up with a camera, flashlight, and years of experience. No guessing. We check for creosote buildup, liner damage, cracks in the masonry, and draft issues. If your chimney’s acting up, we’ll tell you exactly why, whether it’s a blocked flue, a rusted liner, or mortar that’s crumbling. Some sweeps just clean and leave. We diagnose.
We’ll give you a flat price upfront for the work needed, with no hidden fees. If we find something unexpected, like a collapsed liner, we’ll explain why it matters and what your options are. No upselling, no fine print. Just a fair quote for the job we’re doing. If you’re not sure, we’ll walk you through it.
We do the work, clean up thoroughly, and show you what we found and how we fixed it. If there’s anything you should watch for, like how to tell if the liner’s rusting again, we’ll let you know. Then we leave your chimney working better than it did before. No paperwork, no follow-up calls unless you need them. Just a job done.
"Our chimney’s been giving us trouble for years, smoke in the room, soot on the ceiling, and a draft that made the house feel like a freezer. Matthew and Steven didn’t just clean it; they found a cracked liner and rusted flashing we’d never noticed. Fixed it all in one day, and now the fireplace works like new. No runaround, no upselling. Just honest work. We’ll call them again when the time comes."
"I’ve had chimney sweeps come through before, but none of them checked the masonry like these guys did. Found a few loose bricks and a spot where water was getting in near the crown. They sealed it up and told me to keep an eye on it. No big sales pitch, just good advice. That’s the kind of service you don’t find everywhere."
"After a chimney fire last winter, I was scared to light the fireplace again. Matthew came out, cleaned up the soot, and inspected the liner. Turns out the damage wasn’t as bad as I thought, but he fixed what needed fixing and gave me tips on how to spot trouble next time. Prices were fair, and they were upfront about everything. I finally feel safe using the fireplace again."
"My old brick chimney was leaking like crazy after last year’s storms. Called these guys, and they didn’t just patch the crown, they checked the flashing, the mortar, and even the roof where the chimney meets the house. Fixed it all in one go, and I haven’t had a single leak since. They’re the only chimney sweep I’ll call in Galesville."
"I was hesitant to get a chimney sweep because of the mess, but Steven and his crew were in and out in under two hours. They found a buildup of creosote I didn’t even know was there and cleaned it out thoroughly. The best part? They explained exactly what they were doing and why it mattered. No jargon, no confusion. Just good work."
"Our wood stove was pulling poorly, and we were getting smoke in the house. Turns out the liner was rusted through in spots, and the chimney wasn’t drawing right. Matthew replaced the liner and adjusted the flue to fix the draft. Now the stove burns clean, and we’re not coughing every time we light it. They even checked the stove’s gaskets for free. Can’t ask for better service."
Expert local advice for Galesville homeowners.
Proudly serving Galesville and these nearby communities.
That’s a sign of a cracked heat exchanger or a failing chimney liner, both of which let dangerous gases like carbon monoxide into your home. In older homes around Galesville, liners can degrade over time, especially if they’re made of clay or metal that’s corroded. That stink isn’t normal, it’s a fire waiting to happen and a health risk. We’ll inspect your chimney to find the source and recommend repairs before it gets worse.
If your chimney is filling up with soot faster than usual, it’s likely burning wet or unseasoned wood, or your fireplace isn’t drawing properly. Galesville’s humidity can also slow down combustion, leaving more creosote behind. A blocked flue or damaged damper can trap smoke inside, forcing it to settle as soot. We’ll check your setup, adjust the airflow, and show you how to burn wood efficiently to cut down on buildup.
Those white stains are usually efflorescence, mineral deposits pushed to the surface by moisture. In older brick chimneys, this happens when water seeps through cracks or deteriorating mortar, then evaporates, leaving behind salt and lime. If left unchecked, it can weaken the bricks and lead to bigger structural issues. We’ll assess the damage, repoint the mortar, and seal the bricks to keep it from happening again.
That roaring sound usually means wind is getting into your chimney through gaps in the flue or a damaged cap. In Galesville’s windy areas, this can also happen if the chimney isn’t properly sealed at the roof line. Over time, wind pressure can push debris or even small animals into your flue, causing blockages. We’ll inspect the chimney, reinforce weak points, and install a wind-resistant cap to stop the noise, and the potential damage.
A liner should last 15–20 years, but in older homes, metal liners can rust and clay liners can crack from heat stress or shifting masonry. Signs it’s failing include rust stains on the fireplace, a musty smell when the chimney is cold, or visible cracks in the liner during an inspection. If your liner is damaged, we’ll recommend the right replacement, whether it’s stainless steel for durability or a custom-fit liner for your chimney’s exact dimensions.
No, a leaking chimney is never normal. In older homes, leaks often start at the crown (the top cap), where mortar has eroded, or at the flashing where the chimney meets the roof. Water can then seep down the flue, damaging the liner and causing rust or mold inside your home. We’ll waterproof the crown, reseal the flashing, and check for cracks in the masonry to stop the leaks before they cause bigger problems.
Slow lighting and smoke backup usually mean poor draft or a blocked flue. In Galesville’s older homes, this can happen if the chimney is too narrow, the damper isn’t opening fully, or there’s a creosote buildup restricting airflow. We’ll check the chimney’s draw, clean out obstructions, and adjust the damper to ensure a strong, steady draft, so your fire lights quickly and stays contained.
Never try to remove wildlife from your chimney yourself, it’s dangerous for you and the animals. We use humane trapping methods to relocate them, then inspect the chimney for damage from nests, droppings, or chewed liners. After removal, we’ll clean the flue thoroughly and install a stainless steel mesh cap to keep pests out for good. This is especially important in Galesville, where wildlife activity spikes in spring and fall.
Fast response, upfront pricing, and workmanship guaranteed. Get your free estimate today.