$40 off first sweep
Chimney Safety Experts
Call

Alameda County • California

Chimney Sweep & Repair in Oakland

Craftsman bungalows, hill homes and fire-zone spark arrestors.

(888) 988-0322

Chimney service built around Oakland homes

Oakland splits neatly into two very different chimney problems: flatland Craftsman bungalows with original 1910s fireboxes, and hill homes rebuilt after 1991 where the fire code drives everything we do.

In Rockridge, Temescal and the Dimond District we mostly service clay-tile flues serving open masonry fireplaces, and the recurring issue is a cracked or missing throat damper. Up in Montclair and the Oakland Hills, homes rebuilt after the Tunnel Fire tend to have factory-built metal fireplaces with a 20 to 30 year service life — those need chase-cover and panel inspections rather than traditional sweeping.

Because much of the Oakland Hills sits in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, a compliant spark arrestor with 1/2-inch mesh is not optional. We install and document them, which is also what most insurers now ask for at renewal. Down in the flats, the bigger enemy is winter rain finding a failed crown.

What we do most often in Oakland

  • Fire-zone compliant spark arrestor installation
  • Craftsman firebox rebuild and tuckpointing
  • Prefab metal fireplace and chase cover replacement
  • Insurance documentation inspections

Oakland chimney questions, answered

Does my Oakland Hills home need a special spark arrestor?

Yes. Properties in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone need a listed spark arrestor with mesh no larger than 1/2 inch, in good repair and securely attached. We install code-compliant caps and give you a dated photo record for your insurer or defensible-space inspection.

My insurer wants proof my chimney is safe. What do you provide?

We issue a written inspection report with interior camera images, a description of the flue system, a list of any defects, and photos of the completed spark arrestor and cap. That package satisfies nearly every carrier writing policies in Alameda County.

How old is too old for a prefab fireplace?

Most factory-built units in post-fire Oakland Hills homes are now 25 to 30 years old. If the refractory panels are cracked wider than a credit card edge, or the chase cover is rusted through, replacement of the unit or panels is the safe path — and it is often cheaper than repeated repairs.

Can you fix a chimney that is pulling away from the house?

Often, yes. Hillside soil movement in Oakland separates masonry from framing. We assess whether it is a cosmetic flashing gap or genuine structural rotation, then either re-flash and tuckpoint or rebuild the stack above the roofline with proper anchoring.