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.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterFamco Chimney Cleaning & Sweep in Staten Island: What to Know First
We provide independent Famco chimney cleaning and sweep services across Staten Island, with most Level 1 and Level 2 inspections completed in a single visit and upfront pricing agreed before we start. A standard Famco flue cleaning and inspection runs between $189 and $329 depending on access and creosote buildup, and we document everything with photos you can see. This page is for homeowners who own a Famco chimney cap, damper, or venting component and need a sweep who understands how these parts age in salt-air, freeze-thaw Staten Island conditions. Call (516) 613-3035 and a live person will answer, any hour.
How Famco Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Famco WC wind directional chimney caps seize in the collar rotation joint. The WC series uses a galvanized-steel collar with a set-screw tension design that corrodes where salt air meets soot condensation, especially on waterfront properties in Tottenville and Great Kills. We free the joint, assess collar wall thickness, and replace with either a stainless Famco OEM collar or a Copperfield equivalent if the flue tile profile is non-standard. The cap either rotates freely again or we recommend a fixed-cap swap if the homeowner doesn’t need draft control.
- Famco BD barometric draft regulators clog with glazed creosote in oil-to-gas conversions. Staten Island’s older homes in Westerleigh and Port Richmond still have BD dampers left over from oil-heat conversions, and the weighted gate jams when 1/4-inch glazed creosote builds on the blade pivot. We remove the gate assembly, ultrasonic-clean the pivot pin at our shop, and reinstall with a HeatShield refractory wash if the surrounding flue shows spalling. A new BD-6 or BD-8 OEM blade is only ordered if the original is warped from over-firing.
- Famco RC round chimney caps deform under ice dam loading. The RC series uses a relatively light-gauge lid that pancakes when roof ice slides into the mesh screen, a problem we see every third winter in hilly Emerson Hill and Grymes Hill. We straighten or replace the lid, upgrade to a Gelco reinforced mesh if the homeowner wants, and check the flue for blockage from the impact. The underlying issue is usually inadequate cricket flashing, which we note in the photo report.
- Famco SP specialty vent caps lose their internal storm collar seal. The SP line for high-efficiency appliances uses a rubberized storm collar that hardens after seven to ten years of Staten Island temperature swings, letting driven rain into the chase. We reseal with a DuraFlex high-temp silicone collar rather than the original EPDM if the cap vents a condensing appliance, because the flue gas moisture profile is different than what Famco designed for in the 1990s.
- Famco chimney fans (model FSE series) draw down during sweep access. The FSE inline fan mounts so close to the flue collar that standard sweep rods can contact the impeller housing. We pull the fan assembly before rod work, inspect the impeller for creosote imbalance, and reinstall with a Gelco vibration isolation pad if the mount has loosened. This is warranty-safe because we document the pre-existing condition with photos before disassembly.
Our Famco Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Process
- 1
Call intake with live person. We confirm your Famco model if you know it, or we look it up from your install date and appliance type. We quote a range, not a teaser.
- 2
Level 1 or Level 2 inspection on arrival. Our tech photographs the cap, damper, and flue interior before touching anything. You see what we see.
- 3
Famco-specific diagnostic. We check for the known failure modes above, test damper operation under load, and measure flue draft with the appliance running.
- 4
Parts decision with you. OEM Famco, quality aftermarket from our stocked DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, or Copperfield inventory, or repair-in-place if the component is sound. No surprises on the bill.
- 5
Sweep, repair, and post-work test. We run brushes suited to your flue liner material, verify draft and CO levels, and leave the work area cleaner than we found it.
- 6
Written report and 90-Day Done Right Promise. Photos, plain-English verdict, and our guarantee in writing. If it’s not right, we come back. No arguing.
What Famco Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Costs in Staten Island
These are the ranges we see on actual Famco jobs in Staten Island homes, from Annadale to St. George:
| Service | Typical Range | What Moves the Price |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 sweep + Famco cap inspection | $189 - $249 | Roof pitch, cap accessibility, creosote stage |
| Level 2 camera inspection (Famco system) | $279 - $329 | Number of flues, chase height, liner material |
| Famco cap repair or collar replacement | $140 - $280 (parts + labor) | OEM vs. aftermarket, stainless vs. galvanized |
| BD damper cleaning/rebuild | $180 - $340 | Glazing severity, pivot pin condition |
| RC cap replacement (ice damage) | $220 - $390 | Mesh gauge upgrade, flue size |
We apply our standing offers where they fit: $50 off any repair over $250, $89 seasonal tune-ups, and a permanent 5% senior and veteran discount. Every estimate is free, and the number we quote is the number on the invoice. Call (516) 613-3035 for your exact figure.
Why Staten Island Homeowners Call Hearthstone Chimney Co. for Famco Work
We’ve been sweeping Staten Island chimneys since well before the tolls went up on the Verrazzano. Our techs know the difference between a Famco WC and an RC at twenty feet, and they carry the DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, and Copperfield parts that actually fit when Famco OEM is back-ordered or discontinued. The 90-Day Done Right Promise means if we miss something, we own it. Photos you can see, a plain-English verdict, and a live person on the phone at midnight if your draft alarm goes off. We’re not the cheapest outfit on the island. We’re the one that plans to be here when you need us again.
FAQs
No. As an independent Famco service provider, we perform warranty-safe work by documenting pre-existing conditions, using compatible professional-grade materials, and following NFPA 211 sweep standards. We note any warranty-critical details, like FSE fan clearances, in your written report. Call (516) 613-3035 if you want us to review your warranty terms before booking.
Yes, for most lines. We stock common Famco collars, mesh, and hardware, and when Famco has discontinued a part we source quality equivalents from Copperfield or Gelco that match the original fit and exceed its material spec. We’ll show you both options with prices before ordering anything.
You know after the camera inspection, not before. We have cleared flues that the homeowner thought needed relining, and found liner gaps in systems that looked fine from the hearth. Our rule: no recommendation without photo evidence you can see yourself. If the chimney’s sound, we’ll say so. If it isn’t, you’ll hear that too.
Once per burning season for wood-burning systems, per NFPA 211. Gas and oil Famco venting should be inspected annually for cap corrosion and storm-collar integrity, which is why we offer the $89 seasonal tune-up. Staten Island’s salt air and freeze-thaw cycles age metal components faster than inland climates. Call (516) 613-3035 to schedule before the fall rush.
Stage 3 glazed creosote becomes nearly impossible to remove without chemical treatment or mechanical flailing, and it ignites at lower temperatures than fluffy soot. A blocked Famco RC or WC cap can backdraft CO into the house. The risk is real, gradual, and preventable. We don’t scare-sell, but we don’t soft-pedal it either. Free estimates mean there’s no cost to know where you stand.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner, Hearthstone Chimney Co. at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Staten Island and nearby areas.