Frequently Asked Questions

A technician arrives in a marked window, texts when they're on the way, and begins with a visual exterior assessment of the crown, cap, and brickwork. They then run a specialized camera the full length of the flue, recording footage we'll review with you. The sweep itself uses rotary brushes and HEPA vacuums to remove creosote and debris from the flue, smoke chamber, and firebox. The appointment concludes with a written report and archived camera footage - your documented record under the Haven Standard.

Most residential appointments take 60 to 90 minutes. Homes with multiple fireplaces, complex rooflines common in Sandy Springs, or heavy creosote buildup may run closer to two hours. We schedule real arrival windows, not all-day waits, and the technician is named when you book. If we're running behind, you'll get a text - that's Clause 2 of the Haven Standard.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual inspection for all chimneys, with sweeping as needed based on use and fuel type. In Marietta, where many homeowners burn seasoned hardwood from late October through March, that typically means a sweep every year or every cord of wood burned. Gas fireplaces need annual inspection too - they don't produce creosote, but moisture and debris still damage liners and valves. We send reminder texts each fall to our regular customers in Acworth, Woodstock, and across the metro.

Clear a path to the fireplace and remove any fragile items from the mantel. Make sure the appliance hasn't been used for at least 24 hours - a hot flue can't be safely swept. If you have questions about a specific odor, draft issue, or previous repair, jot it down. The technician will ask, and it helps us know where to focus the camera inspection. We don't need you to prep the roof or move furniture; we bring drop cloths and HEPA containment.

Absolutely, and most Marietta homeowners do. The work is contained to the fireplace area with vacuum systems that capture dust at the source. You'll hear the rotary brush and vacuum, but there's no chemical odor or airborne debris. Many customers watch the camera feed in real time - it's the best way to understand what we're finding and why we're recommending what we do.

We specify HeatShield for cerfractory flue resurfacing and Gelco stainless steel liners for full relines - both are UL-listed and carry manufacturer warranties we honor at the local level. For caps and dampers, we often recommend Olympia Chimney or Famco depending on the flue size and local wind exposure. We don't source generic or unlisted products; the documentation we provide includes brand, model, and installation date for your records.

HeatShield is a cerfractory compound - ceramic refractory - applied to the interior of an existing clay flue tile system to seal cracks, gaps, and minor deterioration. It's appropriate when the tile structure is largely intact but the surface has failed. A stainless steel liner from Gelco is a full replacement, dropped down the chimney and connected to the appliance, necessary when tiles are missing, shifted, or the flue is unlined. We determine which you need based on the camera inspection, not guesswork, and we show you the footage that supports the recommendation.

Yes, and we typically specify Famco or Olympia Chimney caps depending on your flue configuration and the wind patterns in your part of Marietta. A proper cap prevents water intrusion - the leading cause of chimney damage in Georgia - and keeps animals from nesting. We measure on-site and quote in writing before ordering. The cap is photographed during installation and noted in your archived service record.

Every professional working under our name in Marietta is required to hold the license and insurance their state requires, and we verify it before they ever enter a home - that's Clause 3 of the Haven Standard. Georgia does not issue a dedicated chimney sweep license, so our technicians hold appropriate state contractor credentials and carry general liability and workers compensation coverage. Their license numbers are available on request, and we background-check every hire.

The Haven Standard is the five-clause operating code every Emberly Chimney Cleaners branch agrees to: written price before work begins, scheduled arrival with named technician and text notification, verified licensed and insured crews, photo and camera evidence on every job, and no surprise charges or upsells. It originated from a practice we adopted in 2009 - archiving camera footage of every inspection - which later proved critical in insurance claims. The standard is what distinguishes a Emberly inspection from the flashlight-only Level 1 that most companies provide.

This branch is independently owned and operated, led by Corrine Halstead, and serves Marietta and the surrounding communities. We're part of the Emberly Chimney Cleaners family of brands, which provides the documentation systems, training standards, and buying power that keep our prices honest. The local team lives here, works here, and knows the specific chimney issues common to Cobb County homes - from the clay soil settlement that affects older masonry near Kennesaw Mountain to the wind-driven rain patterns that hit rooftops in Roswell.

We're open seven days a week: Monday through Sunday, 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM. You can call (470) 288-2763 during those hours to speak with our live coordinator, who'll connect you with the local team and find an appointment window that works. We don't promise after-hours emergency dispatch - chimney issues that present genuine immediate danger (a chimney fire in progress, carbon monoxide alarm) should be handled by calling 911 first, then contacting us for follow-up inspection once the emergency is resolved.

A chimney fire - loud cracking, dense smoke, or flames visible at the top - is an emergency requiring immediate evacuation and 911. Carbon monoxide detector alarms also demand immediate action: leave the home and call the fire department. Most other issues - draft problems, minor leaks, discovered creosote buildup, even cracked flue tiles - can be safely scheduled during regular hours. We'll prioritize your appointment based on severity, and we'll tell you honestly if something can wait until our next available slot. No urgency theatre, no manufactured panic.

Yes, and this is exactly when a Level 2 camera inspection is required by NFPA 211. After a chimney fire, the flue liner may have hidden damage that a flashlight inspection misses - we've documented this repeatedly in Marietta-area homes. After severe storms, especially the wind and hail events common to North Georgia, we check for cap displacement, crown cracks, and water infiltration. We provide the camera footage and written report that insurance adjusters and fireplace shops typically require before approving repairs or appliance reinstallation.

Every job leaves with a written scope, a written price, and a written warranty - Clause 1 of the Haven Standard. Sweeping and inspection work is warranted against defects in workmanship. Liners and major repairs carry manufacturer warranties (Gelco stainless steel liners, for example, come with a limited lifetime warranty) plus our installation guarantee. The specific terms are spelled out in your written agreement, not implied or verbal. We archive every record, so if you have a question two years later, we can pull your exact footage and paperwork.

Contact us directly. Corrine Halstead reviews every service concern personally, and we'll return to address the issue or refund the service fee if we can't make it right. The Haven Standard was built on documentation - photos, footage, written scope - so there's rarely ambiguity about what was agreed to or what was done. In 17 years of operation, the standard has proven itself because the evidence exists on both sides.

This is the question that built our business. Under the Haven Standard, no liner replacement is recommended without camera footage you can see for yourself - Clause 4, evidence on every job. We'll show you the cracked tile, the gaps between flue sections, or the deteriorated mortar joints that justify the recommendation. We'll also tell you plainly when damage is minor and can be monitored annually rather than repaired immediately. The footage is yours to keep, and you're welcome to get a second opinion. We're confident in what the camera shows.

Skipped maintenance leads to creosote accumulation, which is the fuel for chimney fires - over 25,000 occur annually in the U.S., per NFPA data. In Marietta's humid climate, deferred maintenance also allows water infiltration that destroys mortar, rusts dampers, and damages adjacent framing. Carbon monoxide can backdraft through a blocked or damaged flue. The risk is real, but so is the value of an honest assessment: we'll tell you if your chimney is genuinely hazardous, if it needs attention soon, or if it's in good shape for another season. Call (470) 288-2763 for a flat-price estimate - estimates are free.

Call (470) 288-2763 during our open hours - seven days a week, 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM - and our coordinator will find a window that works. You'll receive a written estimate by text or email before we confirm, and a text when your named technician is on the way. We serve Marietta, Kennesaw, Sandy Springs, Acworth, Woodstock, Roswell, Dunwoody, North Atlanta, Atlanta, Holly Springs, Alpharetta, and Dallas. The inspection that actually looks inside starts with a call.

Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Emberly Chimney Cleaners Marietta, serving Cobb County and the North Atlanta metro.