Level 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.
Gelco Chimney Sweep in Marietta: What to Know First
We provide independent Gelco chimney sweep services in Marietta, typically scheduling within 3-5 business days during peak season and 1-2 weeks in fall rush. A standard Gelco-compatible Level 1 sweep and inspection runs $189-$279; a Level 2 camera inspection with full documentation runs $329-$449, with your written price delivered before any work starts.
This page is for Marietta homeowners who installed a Gelco chimney cap, Gelco top-mount damper, or Gelco chimney liner between 2015 and 2023 and need cleaning, inspection, or sweep service without being pushed into unauthorized “factory” work. We’re an independent Gelco service provider, not affiliated with or authorized by Gelco. Call (470) 288-2763 for a free estimate with written pricing.
How Gelco Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Gelco Model C chimney caps: The 304 stainless mesh on early Model C caps can sag after 6-8 Marietta summers of UV cycling and pollen loading, creating a gap that invites squirrels and starlings. We see this most in East Cobb homes with mature oak canopy. We remove the cap, document mesh deformation with photos, and either reshape the frame or source a replacement through our Haven buying network - never charging cap replacement price for a mesh repair.
- Gelco Lyemance top-mount dampers: The silicone rubber seal on Lyemance units hardens faster in Georgia humidity than in drier climates, losing its airtight seal by year 5-7 instead of the advertised 10. During sweep, we test seal integrity with a smoke pencil and measure the gap. If the seal is compromised but the cast-aluminum frame is sound, we replace just the silicone gasket with a compatible aftermarket part rather than selling you a full damper assembly.
- Gelco stainless flex liners: The .006″ wall thickness on standard Gelco flex liners can develop pinhole corrosion where condensation pools at the flue collar, especially in Marietta’s clay-heavy soil homes with marginal drainage. Our camera inspection catches this at Class II stage before it becomes a liner breach. We document the finding, quote HeatShield or DuraFlex replacement if needed, and never recommend liner work without photo evidence you can see yourself.
- Gelco single-flue caps with integral spark arrestor: The 5/8″ mesh spark arrestor on these caps packs with creosote flakes faster than 3/4″ mesh designs, particularly in homes that burn unseasoned oak from Paulding County suppliers. During sweep service, we remove and hand-clean the arrestor, check for screen fatigue at the weld points, and flag caps where the mesh is separating from the frame - a fire hazard that a basic sweep often misses.
- Gelco chase covers on prefab fireplaces: The pressed-steel construction on older Gelco chase covers rusts through at the corners where Marietta’s wind-driven rain collects, long before the center field shows damage. We see this pattern repeatedly on 1990s builds in the Whitlock Avenue corridor. Our Level 2 inspection includes chase cover underside photos; if we find rust bleed-through, we quote a replacement in Galvalume or copper through our Famco and Copperfield supply lines, with your written price before any metal gets ordered.
Our Gelco Chimney Sweep Process

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Call and schedule. A live person answers 24/7. We ask your Gelco product type, install year if known, and any symptoms - draft issues, odors, animal noise. We give you a ol89-$279 sweep range over the phone, with the exact price set after inspection.
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Tech arrival and verification. Your assigned technician texts when en route, arrives in uniform, and confirms the scope in writing before entering your home. License information is displayed on the work order.
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Camera-first inspection. We run our chimney camera before any brush touches flue. For Gelco liners, we specifically check for wall thinning at collar joints and damper seal deformation. Camera first, quote second, work third - in that order, every time.
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Written price and scope. You receive a printed price, printed scope of work, and printed warranty terms before we start. This is Haven Standard Clause 1: have it in writing. No exceptions.
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Sweep and documentation. We complete the cleaning using brushes and rods matched to your flue diameter, remove and service the Gelco cap or damper if included in scope, and capture after-photos. Every finding is recorded under Haven Standard Clause 4.
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Final walkthrough and record. We review photos with you, explain any recommendations with evidence, and leave you with a documented photo record and our 365-Day Done Right Promise in writing.
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AfterWhat Gelco Chimney Sweep Costs in Marietta
| Service | Typical Range | What Moves the Price |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 sweep + basic inspection | $189-$279 | Flue height, cap removal required, creosote class (I vs. II) |
| Level 2 camera inspection + sweep | $329-$449 | Number of flues, roof access difficulty, documentation archive requested |
| Gelco cap removal, clean, reinstall | $75-$150 | Fastener condition, mesh repair vs. replacement |
| Gelco Lyemance damper seal replacement | $140-$220 | Gasket only vs. full seal kit, frame corrosion status |
| Chase cover replacement (Galvalume) | $680-$1,100 | Dimensions, collar configuration, material grade |
Homes along Whitlock Avenue and in older East Cobb subdivisions often need additional masonry attention where settling has shifted the flue - we quote this separately, with photos, and flag when work can safely wait. Call (470) 288-2763 for your exact written estimate; estimates are free.
Why Marietta Homeowners Call Emberly Chimney Cleaners Marietta for Gelco Work

We’ve cleaned and inspected more than 38,000 chimneys since 2009, and a significant share of those in Marietta ran Gelco caps, dampers, or liners installed by builders or previous owners who are long gone. Corrine Halstead and our techs know the Gelco product line well enough to spot the difference between a failed seal and a failed frame, and we stock compatible parts from DuraFlex, HeatShield, and our Haven network rather than forcing you into a full assembly replacement.
Every job carries the 365-Day Done Right Promise, backed by Haven Standard documentation: written price, written scope, written warranty, and a photo record you can show your insurer or home buyer. If you have a competitor’s written estimate for Gelco work, we’ll give you a free second opinion with our own camera evidence.
FAQs
No - routine chimney sweep and inspection by a qualified professional does not void Gelco product warranties. Warranty coverage applies to manufacturing defects, not maintenance. We document our work under Haven Standard Clause 4 so you have proof of proper care if a defect claim ever arises. Call (470) 288-2763 if you need documentation for a warranty filing.
We source through our Haven buying network, which includes Gelco-compatible parts from Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield. For discontinued Gelco components, we match specifications with quality aftermarket equivalents - often at lower cost with equivalent or longer service life. We always disclose the source and warranty terms in your written quote before ordering.
The camera tells us. We classify liner condition by creosote buildup class, wall integrity, and collar joint status. Spot corrosion or localized damage often qualifies for HeatShield resurfacing rather than full liner replacement. We only recommend replacement when the camera shows wall thinning exceeding 20% or multiple breach points - and we show you the footage before quoting. Call (470) 288-2763 to schedule a Level 2 inspection.
NFPA 211 recommends annual inspection; sweep frequency depends on use. Marietta homeowners burning 2-3 cords of seasoned hardwood per season typically need annual sweep. If you burn unseasoned wood or use your Gelco-equipped fireplace as primary heat, you may need mid-season inspection for Class II creosote buildup. We check creosote class during every visit and tell you honestly if next year can wait.
Class I creosote becomes Class III glaze, which cannot be removed with standard brushes and requires chemical treatment or rotary cleaning at higher cost. On Gelco flex liners, neglected buildup accelerates corrosion at condensation points. The real risk is a chimney fire from ignited creosote or carbon monoxide intrusion through a breached liner - both are documented, preventable, and not worth gambling a season to save $200. Call (470) 288-2763 for a free estimate.
Ready to get your Gelco chimney system inspected, cleaned, and documented the right way? Call (470) 288-2763 to speak with a live person 24/7, or request your free written estimate. We’ll run the camera, show you what we found, and give you a price in writing before any work begins.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner, Emberly Chimney Cleaners Marietta at Emberly Chimney Cleaners Marietta, serving Marietta and nearby areas.



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