Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 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.
Chimney Company in University City, MO
Chimney inspection in University City starts with the house, not the brush. Most of the city’s brick two-stories went up between 1900 and 1930 with masonry chimneys built for coal, and many were converted to gas or wood without a liner upgrade that matches how they’re heated now. That history is why our inspections here lean hard on the flue, the smoke shelf, and the crown. Our technicians have up to 12 years of experience, and we bring the same top-to-bottom assessment to every job. Call (866) 596-7310 to book a visit. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm.
Why University City Homes Are Different
In Wydown and the Parkview blocks around Washington University, the chimneys were built for coal and later switched to gas or wood. The original firebox and smoke shelf are often still there, but the clay tile liner underneath is undersized for the current fuel and corroded from decades of use. We see this pattern house after house in the blocks just north of Delmar.
St. Louis-area winters bring freeze-thaw cycling that spalls the brick and mortar crowns on these older chimneys. The humid summers speed up creosote breakdown and rust out older dampers. Combine that with a dense student rental market, where landlord-owned properties often defer chimney maintenance, and annual inspection matters more here than it does in drier parts of the country. Older Tudor and Colonial homes also hide flue problems behind exterior masonry that looks fine from the curb. Cracked clay tiles and missing caps are common, and neither shows up without a close look.
Styles & brands we work with
- Sweep & inspection
- Caps & crowns
- Flue relining
- Masonry repair
- Gas fireplace service
Our Main University City Services
Two services come up most often when University City homeowners call: chimney sweep and chimney repair, usually after an inspection points to what’s actually wrong.
Chimney Sweep in University City
A sweep here means removing creosote and soot from the firebox, smoke chamber, and flue, then checking the damper and cap before we leave. In University City’s older brick homes, the smoke chamber is often original and rough, which gives creosote more places to collect. We work with professional-grade tools and products from brands like Gelco and Olympia Chimney rather than generic substitutes. For the full breakdown of what a cleaning involves, see chimney sweep.
Chimney Repair in University City
Repair work in University City usually centers on the liner and the crown. Coal-era flues that were never properly relined are the most common find, and freeze-thaw damage to the mortar crown follows close behind. We install DuraFlex flexible liner systems for full relining and use HeatShield resurfacing for cracked or spalling liners that don’t need replacement. Both are structural fixes done by the same company that inspected the chimney. Details are on our chimney repair page.
Chimney Inspection in University City
Chimney inspection in University City has to account for a specific history: most of the housing stock is 1900s to 1930s brick, and the chimneys were built for coal before the houses switched to gas or wood. Many of those flues were never relined for the new fuel, so the tile is undersized, cracked, or corroded even when the chimney looks sound outside. Our Chimney Inspection covers the full flue system, cap to firebox, and it’s the first thing we do before any cleaning or repair is recommended. St. Louis-area freeze-thaw cycling and humid summers add to the wear, which is why an annual look matters more here than in drier climates.
Chimney Flue Inspection
Signs you need it
You need a flue inspection if the fire smokes back into the room, the flue smells of creosote in humid weather, or the chimney has never been checked since the house was converted from coal to gas.
What it costs in University City
A standard chimney inspection in University City typically runs $99 to $250, and the written estimate sets the final price.
How we do it
We run a camera through the flue, check the tile joints and smoke shelf, confirm the cap and damper, and photograph anything that needs attention so you see what we see.
Level 2 Chimney Inspection
Signs you need it
A Level 2 inspection is called for after a chimney fire, a change in fuel type, a property sale, or any time the liner was never upgraded when the house moved off coal.
What it costs in University City
A Level 2 chimney inspection typically runs $150 to $400 in University City, depending on access and how much of the flue needs camera work.
How we do it
We inspect every accessible part of the system, including the attic and crawl spaces where the chimney passes through, and document the condition of the liner, crown, and flashing.
Chimney Fire
Signs you need it
You need a post-fire inspection if you heard a loud roar from the chimney, saw flames or sparks at the top, or found puffy or glazed creosote after a burn.
What it costs in University City
A chimney fire inspection typically runs $150 to $400, and any liner repair or relining that follows is priced separately on the written estimate.
How we do it
We check the liner for heat damage and cracks, look for warped dampers and discolored masonry, and assess whether the flue can safely be used again or needs relining.
What Chimney Inspection Costs in University City
| Item | Typical range in University City |
|---|---|
| Standard chimney inspection | $99 – $250 |
| Level 2 chimney inspection | $150 – $400 |
| Chimney fire inspection | $150 – $400 |
Does a chimney inspection include a camera scan of the flue?
Yes. Our inspections include a camera scan of the flue, plus a check of the cap, crown, damper, and smoke shelf. You get photos of anything we flag, so you can verify the findings yourself before agreeing to any repair.
How often should a University City chimney be inspected?
Once a year, and more often if the fireplace gets heavy use or the house was converted from coal without a liner upgrade. Annual checks catch freeze-thaw damage to the crown early, before it turns into a bigger masonry repair.
Brands We Service in University City
We work with a defined portfolio of professional-grade chimney products, including HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, and Famco. We don’t claim stocked parts or a local warehouse; what we do is specify the right product for the job and order it for the repair. Turnaround is set per job in the written estimate. You can see the full list on our brands page.
See the difference
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After
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AfterPricing for Chimney Company in University City, MO
| Service | Typical range in University City |
|---|---|
| Standard chimney inspection | $99 – $250 |
| Level 2 chimney inspection | $150 – $400 |
| Chimney fire inspection | $150 – $400 |
| Chimney sweep | $129 – $300 |
| Crown repair | $250 – $800 |
| HeatShield liner resurfacing | $1,200 – $3,500 |
| DuraFlex liner installation | $2,500 – $6,000 |
In University City, price is driven mostly by what’s found in the flue: an unlined coal-era chimney that needs relining sits at the top of the range, while a routine sweep on an already-upgraded liner sits at the bottom. Access to the roof and the condition of the crown add to the total on older brick homes. Every job is priced per job by a written estimate before work starts, and the estimate is free.
Neighborhoods We Serve in University City
We work across University City, including the blocks just north of Delmar where coal-era flues are most common, and the Tudor and Colonial homes closer to Washington University. Freeze-thaw damage to crowns shows up citywide, so no neighborhood gets a shortcut on the inspection.
- Wydown
- Parkview
- The blocks north of Delmar
- University City homes near Washington University
Scheduling across University City is handled the same way regardless of neighborhood. Call (866) 596-7310 to book, and we’ll set an arrival window. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday.
Service Area – Cities Near University City
University City sits next to several communities we also cover, and the same older brick housing and coal-era conversion pattern shows up across much of the area. If you’re just outside the city limits, we can still help. See our pages for Clayton, MO, St. Louis, MO, Overland, MO, and Jennings, MO.
Serving University City, MO – Our Local Coverage Area
We serve University City and nearby communities. Use the map below to see the area we cover. If you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About Chimney Company in University City
Relining and masonry repair often require a permit in University City, so ask the city’s building department before work starts. We’ll tell you which parts of the job typically trigger one so you know what to expect when you call.
Scheduling depends on the season and the current queue, and we won’t promise a same-day arrival. Call (866) 596-7310 to book, and we’ll give you the next available window. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm.
You get an inspection first, then a written estimate before any cleaning or repair. Nothing is recommended without camera evidence you can see for yourself, and we’ll say plainly when work can safely wait.
To book an inspection or ask about your flue, call (866) 596-7310 for a free estimate. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday.
What happens when you call
- 1A real person answersNo phone trees. Talk to a local chimney cleaning pro.
- 2You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched. No surprises.
- 3We come out and measureLicensed & insured, at a time that suits you. The visit and the quote are both free.
- 4You get the price in writingLine-itemed, yours to keep, and nothing starts until you say go.
What University City Customers Say
"Swept it, capped it, and installed a proper damper. The downdraft smell in the summer that we'd lived with for years is gone."
- Nathan Schaefer"Work is good and the price was fair. The scheduling was a little loose, the window they gave me was pretty wide and he showed up at the back end of it. Once he was here he was quick and knew what he was doing."
- Jodi Quinn"Good work. The written inspection report took about a week to arrive after I asked for it, which was slower than I expected."
- Danielle Hayes