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 San Marino, CA
Chimney repair in San Marino usually means working on a 1920s tile-lined flue inside a historically protected home, not a quick patch on newer construction. Most of the chimneys we work on here were built between 1910 and 1940, and the masonry, flashing, and liner materials from that era fail in predictable ways after 80 to 100 years of dry heat and the occasional Santa Ana wind. If you need a chimney repair estimate in San Marino, call (855) 554-2841 and we’ll schedule a camera inspection so you can see exactly what’s going on inside the flue before anyone quotes you a repair.
Why San Marino Homes Are Different
San Marino’s housing stock is unusual for Southern California. Most homes are large estate properties, Tudor, Mediterranean, and Colonial Revival styles, built between the 1910s and 1940s. Many still have their original brick chimneys with multiple flues serving separate fireplaces. Those chimneys were often lined with terra cotta tile, and after decades of heating cycles, that tile cracks and spalls. We regularly see flues in Lacy Estates and Oak Knoll where sections of the original liner have separated at the joints, leaving gaps where heat and combustion gases can reach the surrounding masonry.
The climate plays a role too. San Marino gets warm, dry summers and mild winters, so fireplaces sit unused for months at a time. That’s not a break for the chimney. Creosote from the previous season hardens and gets more difficult to remove when it has all summer to bake in place. And when the Santa Ana winds push through in the fall, the dry air and low humidity make any creosote that is present more vulnerable to ignition. Many San Marino homeowners also face the city’s architectural review process for any exterior chimney modification, which means repair work needs to be done right the first time. Hickory Chimney Sweep has served San Marino since 2013 and we understand what those older flues need.
Styles & brands we work with
Our Main San Marino Services
The two services San Marino homeowners call us about most are chimney sweeping and dryer vent cleaning. One covers the fireplace, the other covers the laundry room, and together they address the two most common appliance-related fire hazards in a home.
Chimney Sweep in San Marino
Chimney sweeping in San Marino is rarely a quick job, because so many of the homes here have older chimneys with multiple flues and accumulated creosote from years of seasonal use. We sweep each flue thoroughly, remove hardened creosote, and inspect the liner, damper, flashing, and crown while we’re there. If your home still has its original tile liner, the sweep is the moment we usually spot early damage, before it becomes a repair that can’t wait. For full details on what the job involves and how we price it, see our Chimney Sweep in San Marino page.
Dryer Vent Cleaning in San Marino
Dryer vent cleaning addresses a fire risk that has nothing to do with the fireplace but lives in the same house. Lint accumulation inside the dryer duct is a leading cause of residential fires in the U.S., and older San Marino homes often have long or convoluted vent runs that make buildup worse. We clean the full run from the dryer to the exterior termination and advise on any vent cap or termination hardware that needs attention. Read more on our Dryer Vent Cleaning in San Marino page.
What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees — you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
- 3
A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
- 4
You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Chimney Repair in San Marino
Most chimney repair work in San Marino comes down to two things: the original terra cotta liners are cracked, or the exterior masonry and flashing have deteriorated to the point where water is getting in. Homes built in the 1920s and 1930s have chimneys that are now approaching a century old, and the materials simply weren’t designed to last this long without attention. When we find a problem during a sweep, we can often repair it on the spot using HeatShield resurfacing or DuraFlex flexible liner systems, rather than sending the homeowner to a subcontractor. Our full Chimney Repair service covers everything from minor crown work to complete relining.
Chimney Cap Installation
Signs you need it
You see debris, bird droppings, or nesting material at the base of the fireplace, or rainwater has been getting down the flue and staining the firebox.
What it costs in San Marino
Chimney cap installation in San Marino typically runs $300 – $650 depending on the flue count and the cap material spec.
How we do it
We measure the flue opening, supply a properly sized cap from brands like Gelco or Famco, and anchor it to the crown or flue tile so it stays put through Santa Ana winds.
Chimney Cap Replacement
Signs you need it
The existing cap is rusted through, missing mesh panels, or has blown off entirely during a wind event.
What it costs in San Marino
Replacement in San Marino is usually $350 – $700, because we remove the old cap and often need to address the mounting surface underneath.
How we do it
We pull the old cap, inspect the crown and flue tile for damage, and install a new stainless or copper cap sized to the flue, using professional-grade termination hardware.
Chimney Liner Installation
Signs you need it
A camera inspection shows cracked segments, gaps at the tile joints, or missing pieces of the original terra cotta liner.
What it costs in San Marino
A full reline in San Marino generally runs $4,500 to $9,000 including the liner material, insulation where needed, and installation labor.
How we do it
We run a camera to map the flue, then install a properly sized DuraFlex flexible liner system, insulated where code requires, to restore a safe exhaust path.
Chimney Flashing Repair
Signs you need it
Water stains appear on the ceiling near the chimney, or you can see gaps and lifted metal at the roofline where the chimney meets the roof.
What it costs in San Marino
Flashing repair in San Marino typically costs $400 – $900, depending on how much of the existing flashing has to be removed and replaced.
How we do it
We cut out the failed section, install new step and counter flashing with proper overlap, and seal the assembly so water sheds away from the chimney instead of into the roof deck.
Chimney Crown Repair
Signs you need it
The cement crown on top of the chimney is cracked, spalling, or has portions missing, letting water soak into the brick and liner below.
What it costs in San Marino
Crown repair or repointing in San Marino is typically $650 – $1,500 depending on crown size and the extent of the damage.
How we do it
We clean and prep the existing crown, fill cracks and rebuild missing sections with a proper crown mix, and sometimes add a sealed metal crown cover if the old one is beyond saving.
What Chimney Repair Costs in San Marino
The table below shows typical ranges for the repair sub-jobs San Marino homeowners ask about most. These are the figures we quote from when we walk a job, and the final number depends on what the camera inspection shows.
| Item | Typical range in San Marino |
|---|---|
| Chimney cap installation | $300 – $650 |
| Chimney cap replacement | $350 – $700 |
| Chimney crown repair | $650 – $1,500 |
Do I really need a new liner if the old one has small cracks?
Small cracks in a terra cotta liner can widen quickly with heating cycles, and any gap allows heat to reach the masonry. A camera inspection shows whether the damage is cosmetic or structural, and we’ll tell you if a full reline is required or if HeatShield resurfacing is enough. Call (855) 554-2841 if you want an honest read from a technician who can show you the footage.
Can chimney repairs wait until fall in San Marino?
Water intrusion repairs shouldn’t wait, because moisture damage compounds through one rainy season. Creosote or liner work can sometimes wait, but the labored decision is whether the fireplace is safe to use. Call (855) 554-2841 and we can tell you what’s urgent and what can be scheduled without risk.
Brands We Service in San Marino
We work with professional-trade brands like HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, and Famco, the same suppliers certified chimney contractors specify. We keep common cap and termination parts in local stock, so a straightforward cap or crown job typically moves faster than you’d expect. See our brands for the full list of what we install and service.
See the difference
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AfterPricing for Chimney Company in San Marino, CA
Here are the typical price ranges for our core San Marino chimney and dryer vent work. Every job is walked and quoted before we start, and the number we quote is the number you pay.
| Service | Typical range in San Marino |
|---|---|
| Chimney sweep – one flue | $199 – $299 |
| Chimney sweep – two flues | $299 – $449 |
| Chimney sweep – three+ flues | $449 – $699 |
| Masonry inspection with camera scope | $299 – $499 |
| Dryer vent cleaning – single story | $129 – $199 |
| Dryer vent cleaning – two story | $149 – $249 |
| Dryer vent cleaning – long or complex run | $249 – $399 |
| Chimney cap installation | $300 – $650 |
| Chimney cap replacement | $350 – $700 |
| Chimney crown repair | $650 – $1,500 |
| Price per foot for liner install | $150 – $300 per foot |
What pushes a price up in San Marino is usually access and age: scaffolding on a steep roof, multiple flues, or a chimney that needs interior and exterior work at the same time. And even then, the price we quote is a flat price, not an estimate that can soften on the back end.
Neighborhoods We Serve in San Marino
We cover all of San Marino, including the ZIP codes 91108 and 91118, and we know which streets have the older homes with original flues and which neighborhoods see the most wind-driven rain at the rooflines. If you’re in one of these areas and need a chimney or dryer vent service, call us and we’ll get you on the schedule.
- Lacy Estates
- Oak Knoll
- San Marino proper
- South San Marino
- Huntington Drive corridor
We book San Marino jobs during the week with notice, and seasonal sweeps are best scheduled before the fall burning season starts.
Service Area – Cities Near San Marino
Hickory Chimney Sweep works throughout the West San Gabriel Valley and into the surrounding communities. If you’re in San Gabriel, CA, East San Gabriel, CA, Alhambra, CA, or East Pasadena, CA, we can schedule a chimney sweep, repair, or dryer vent cleaning with the same flat-price guarantee we extend to San Marino.
Serving San Marino, CA — Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the San Marino area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage — if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About Chimney Company in San Marino
We schedule by appointment and typically book San Marino chimney sweeps within one business week. Repair jobs that involve water intrusion get priority, because waiting through a wet season makes the repair more extensive. Call (855) 554-2841 and we’ll give you a straight answer on the next available slot for your ZIP code.
Visible exterior modifications in San Marino may go through the city’s architectural review process, particularly on homes within historic preservation zones. Interior relining work rarely needs a separate permit beyond the building code review that accompanies any professional chimney repair. We can tell you what applies to your specific property after a quick look at the chimney and the surrounding roofline.
Yes. We cover all San Marino ZIP codes, 91108 and 91118, including both the estate neighborhoods and the homes closer to Huntington Drive. One call covers both chimney and dryer vent service, so if you need both done in the same visit, we can handle that without sending two different crews.
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 San Marino Customers Say
"Honest people. That's getting rare."
— Danielle Rhodes"Weekend rate was higher, which they told me up front and I was fine with. What I wasn't expecting was for someone to actually come out on a Sunday."
— Nathan Pruitt"Creosote buildup was worse than I realized. He measured it, showed me the glazing on the flue with the camera, and was honest that we were closer to a chimney fire than I wanted to hear."
— Beatriz Hernandez