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.
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AfterOlympia Chimney Chimney Cleaning & Sweep in Allentown: What to Know First
We provide independent Olympia Chimney chimney cleaning and sweep services across Allentown, with most Level 1 and Level 2 inspections completed in a single visit and upfront pricing agreed before we start. A standard Olympia Chimney sweep and inspection runs between $189 and $279, depending on creosote buildup depth and whether a camera inspection is needed. We’re not affiliated with Olympia Chimney - we work on their products because homeowners in Allentown ask us to, and we’ve learned their quirks over years in the field. If you own an Olympia Chimney liner, cap, or venting component and need it swept, inspected, or cleared of creosote, call (610) 632-1394. A live person answers, 24 hours a day.
How Olympia Chimney Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Olympia Chimney stainless steel liner tubes (316Ti and 304 series) develop creosote adhesion patterns that differ from heavier-gauge competitors. The thinner wall stock heats faster and cools quicker, which means creosote doesn’t always bake to the glassy third-degree stage - it stays tacky and builds in layers near the top third of the flue. We use rotary polypropylene whips sized to the liner’s exact diameter, not standard flat brushes that can scar the interior finish and void any remaining warranty coverage.
- Olympia Chimney Gelco-compatible caps with mesh spark arrestors clog with Allentown’s cottonwood seed fluff in late May and June, then trap moisture against the flue collar through our humid summers. The mesh corrodes from the outside in. During a sweep, we remove the cap, photograph the mesh condition, and either clean and reseat the original or source a Gelco replacement with stainless mesh if the frame is still sound.
- Olympia Chimney’s oval-to-round adapter collars on older installations (pre-2010) were stamped from lighter-gauge metal that flexes during freeze-thaw cycling. The seam opens microscopically, soot works into the gap, and the next heating season you smell smoke in the attic. We find this on Allentown’s West End homes with original 1980s chimneys. Our fix: remove the adapter, clean the mating surfaces with a wire wheel, and reinstall with a high-temp sealant rated to the collar’s spec - or replace with a heavier aftermarket unit if the original is too far gone.
- Olympia Chimney flexible liner kits in exterior chase installations sag at the mid-point when creosote weight accumulates unevenly. The sag creates a low spot where condensation pools, accelerating corrosion from the inside. During a Level 2 inspection, we run the camera specifically looking for this belly - it’s visible at the 15-foot mark on most two-story Allentown colonials. If caught early, we can brush and re-tension the liner. If the wall has thinned, we document it and quote a DuraFlex replacement with proper support spacing.
- Olympia Chimney’s twist-lock storm collars lose their seal after repeated thermal cycling, especially where the flue passes through a cricket or saddle on a steep roof. Water follows the pipe down and dilutes creosote into an acidic sludge that eats the liner from the outside. We see this most on homes near Cedar Creek where wind-driven rain is constant. Our sweep includes a collar integrity check - if the twist-lock is loose, we reseat it with a proper storm collar and sealant, not silicone that’ll cook off in two fires.
Our Olympia Chimney Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Process
- 1
Call and schedule. A live person answers, asks what you’re burning, how often, and whether you’ve noticed any smoke, odor, or draft issues. We quote a range right then - no dispatch fee just to show up.
- 2
Arrival and protection. Our technician lays drop cloths from the door to the hearth, inspects the appliance and flue exterior for obvious damage, and confirms the work scope before starting. The price doesn’t change unless we find something unexpected, and we stop to show you first.
- 3
Level 1 or Level 2 inspection. Level 1 covers accessible portions of the flue and appliance - adequate for annual sweeps on systems with no changes. Level 2 adds a camera run up the flue, required for real estate transactions, after a chimney fire, or when you’re new to the home. For Olympia Chimney liners, we use a camera head sized to their diameter to avoid wall contact.
- 4
Creosote and soot removal. We select brushes or whips based on liner material and buildup stage. First-degree (sooty) comes out with polypropylene. Second-degree (flakey) needs a harder bristle. Third-degree (glazed) requires a chemical pretreatment and mechanical removal - we don’t skip this step, as glazed creosote is what burns.
- 5
Parts check and documentation. Cap, crown, damper, firebox, liner collar - we photograph what we found, explain it in plain English, and mark what’s urgent versus what can wait. Nothing is recommended without evidence you can see.
- 6
Cleanup, test fire, and guarantee. We HEPA-vacuum the firebox and hearth, run a draft test with a manometer, and leave you with a written condition report and our 90-Day Done Right Promise. If it’s not right, we come back. In writing, no arguing.
What Olympia Chimney Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Costs in Allentown
These are real ranges for Olympia Chimney systems we see in Allentown homes. Your exact price depends on liner length, roof access, and what the camera finds.
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Level 1 sweep and inspection (standard fireplace) | $189 - $229 |
| Level 2 sweep with camera inspection | $249 - $329 |
| Third-degree creosote removal (chemical + mechanical) | $320 - $450 |
| Cap removal, cleaning, and reseat | $85 - $140 |
| Liner adapter collar reseal or replacement | $160 - $280 |
| Full liner re-tension and support install | $400 - $650 |
What moves the price: two-story height with steep pitch adds setup time; exterior chase access versus interior; and whether the cap or adapter parts are still available from Olympia Chimney’s current catalog or need a compatible Gelco or Famco substitute. We tell you before we start. Call (610) 632-1394 for an exact quote - estimates are free.
Why Allentown Homeowners Call Hearthstone Chimney Co. for Olympia Chimney Work
We’ve been sweeping chimneys in Allentown since 1984. Russell Haines and our crew know the regional brick, the freeze-thaw cycles that open mortar joints, and how Olympia Chimney’s lighter-gauge components behave in this climate. We don’t sell - we document, explain, and let you decide. The 90-Day Done Right Promise means if we miss something, we make it right without paperwork or argument. Our trucks carry DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, and Famco parts so we’re not ordering and rescheduling. Background-checked, uniformed technicians. Most jobs done in one visit. The number on the estimate is the number on the invoice. Done right - and we stand behind it.
FAQs
No. As an independent Olympia Chimney service provider, we follow NFPA 211 standards and manufacturer-specified cleaning methods that preserve any remaining warranty coverage. Using non-standard brushes or aggressive mechanical methods can void it - we don’t do that. We document our process with photos in case you ever need to demonstrate proper maintenance. Call (610) 632-1394 if you’d like us to review your warranty status before scheduling.
Yes, for most lines, though some pre-2005 adapters and collars are discontinued. We stock compatible professional-grade replacements from Gelco and Famco that mate correctly with Olympia Chimney liner diameters and meet the same temperature and corrosion specs. We never install a part without confirming the fit - the camera inspection verifies it before we leave. If your model is obsolete, we’ll tell you plainly and show you the alternatives.
The camera doesn’t lie. During a Level 2 inspection, we show you the flue wall condition, any corrosion spots, and the creosote buildup stage. A cleaning fixes accumulation. Repair addresses structural issues - wall thinning, seam separation, or collar failure. We’ll mark each finding urgent, monitor, or acceptable, and explain what happens if you wait. No upselling. The chimney doesn’t care what it looks like from the street. We check what’s inside.
Annually if you burn regularly through the heating season, per NFPA 211. Allentown’s mixed hardwoods - oak and maple common in the Lehigh Valley - burn cleaner than softwoods but still produce creosote, especially in slow-burning inserts. If you burn more than three cords a year, or run the stove 24/7 during cold snaps, consider a mid-season inspection. Olympia Chimney’s thinner liner walls don’t tolerate neglect as well as some heavier brands. Call (610) 632-1394 to set a schedule that matches your burning habits.
Creosote accumulates, restricts draft, and can ignite. A chimney fire in a stainless liner reaches temperatures that warp or split the metal, and Olympia Chimney’s lighter gauge is less forgiving than heavier competitors. Carbon monoxide risk rises as draft efficiency drops. The repair cost after a fire - liner replacement, possible surround damage - runs into thousands. A sweep every fall is cheap insurance. We offer an $89 Seasonal Tune-Up that catches problems before they become emergencies.
Ready to schedule your Olympia Chimney cleaning and sweep in Allentown? Call (610) 632-1394 any time - day, night, weekend. A live person will answer, ask the right questions, and get you on the schedule. Free estimates. No-hassle upfront pricing. The 90-Day Done Right Promise on every job.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner, Hearthstone Chimney Co. at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Allentown and nearby areas.