Morris County, New Jersey
Chimney Sweep and Creosote Check in Chatham, NJ
Nearly half of Chatham's housing was built before 1950. That is a good reason to understand what is inside the flue before the next fire, and what creosote does and does not tell you.
Chatham Borough, in Morris County, is a borough of mostly detached, owner-occupied houses. The Census finds that about 48% of homes were built before 1950, with a median build year of 1951. Chimneys in houses of that age may have seen several owners and many winters, and their history is not always written down.
This page explains what we look for, so a visit makes sense when you book one.
Our approach in a house like this is to inspect first: look at the flue, the firebox, the damper and the top of the chimney, explain what is there, and recommend only what the findings support.
Learn
What creosote is, and what it is not
Creosote is a by-product of burning wood. As smoke cools in the flue it condenses and leaves deposits on the inside. The Chimney Safety Institute of America describes the deposits as ranging from dry, flaky soot to sticky tar to a hard, shiny glaze, and the hardened kind is the most difficult to remove.
It is a result of how a fire is burned, not of how old the building is. Damp wood, a smoldering fire with the air turned down, and a flue that stays cold all increase it. A chimney used a few times a year may hold very little, and one used daily with poor fuel may need attention within a season. A look inside is the only way to know, which is why our guide on what creosote is and the one on signs a chimney needs cleaning are worth reading together.
Cleaning removes deposits. It does not repair a cracked flue, a failed crown or a leaking roof junction.
Older houses
Questions to ask about an older flue
If a house was built before 1950, it is worth asking whether the flue has a liner, what it is made of and whether anyone has checked it since the last owner. Clay tile is common in older masonry chimneys, and some houses have had a metal liner added later. A deeper inspection level can be appropriate before a fireplace is used heavily, or after changes to the heating system. Our guide to inspection levels explains when each is used.
If you are choosing between repairing a flue and lining it, do you need a chimney liner? sets out the signs.
Housing profile
What the housing mix means in Chatham
Close to half of the houses predate 1950, so some flues may predate modern liners. What is inside the flue is hard to judge from the room, which is why the older-flue questions on this page come first.
What we look at
What an older chimney can hide
Flue condition
Clay tile flues can crack from heat or age. Cracks are not visible from the room and need a proper look up the flue.
Firebox joints
Open or crumbling mortar joints in the firebox let heat reach combustible framing behind it.
Smoke chamber
The sloped area above the damper is often rough or damaged in older fireplaces, and it affects how smoke leaves.
Masonry above the roof
This section takes the most weather. Spalling brick, loose joints and white staining are common signs.
Misconceptions
Three common assumptions
"It was swept last year, so it is fine."
Sweeping removes deposits. It does not show whether the flue is cracked.
"No fires means no problems."
Weather damages masonry whether or not the fireplace is used.
"A chimney that looks fine from the ground is fine."
The parts that fail first, such as flue tile and the crown, are hard to judge from below.
Symptoms
| Symptom | Possible cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Dark, glossy or tar-like coating seen at the flue opening | Heavy deposits from damp wood or low-air fires | Sweep, then review burning habits |
| Smoke smell in the house after a fire | Draft problem, blockage or a smoke chamber fault | Inspection |
| Efflorescence (white powder) on chimney brick | Water moving through masonry | Find the water path, then repair |
| Loose bricks at the top | Failed mortar or damaged crown | Repointing or crown repair |
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Does an older house need a deeper inspection?
Not always. A basic visual check suits a chimney that has been used the same way for years. A deeper look is appropriate when something changes, such as a new appliance or a sale.
Can you tell how much creosote is in the flue without cleaning it?
A visual look at the flue shows the type and amount of deposit, which is why sweeping decisions are made on what is seen rather than on a fixed schedule.
Do you have jobs in Chatham?
See our projects for the work we can show.
How do I schedule a visit?
Call (201) 646-5761 or use Book Now. We contact you to confirm a time.
Chimney Academy
Guides that go with this page
Questions about your chimney in Chatham?
Call us, or send a scheduling request. We will contact you to confirm. Your appointment is not confirmed until we do.