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 Van Nuys, CA
Chimney repair in Van Nuys usually means one of two things: an original 1950s clay flue tile that finally gave out after decades of Valley heat, or a prefab metal flue from a 1980s conversion that was never quite right to begin with. We see both constantly. Santa Ana Chimney Sweep has served Van Nuys since 2016, and the work here is different from what you’d find over the hill in LA proper. Older tract homes, gas log conversions, ficus roots, and Santa Ana winds all shape what goes wrong and how we fix it. Call (855) 341-9658 when you want someone to actually explain what they’re seeing.
Why Van Nuys Homes Are Different
Van Nuys was built out fast in the 1940s through 1960s, and that means certain things show up on almost every job. The original masonry fireplaces in these single-story tract houses were built with clay flue tiles, and after 60 or 70 years of San Fernando Valley heat expansion, those tiles crack. We regularly pull broken tile sections out of chimneys near Van Nuys Boulevard where the homeowner had no idea anything was wrong. The fireplace still drew fine, so the damage stayed hidden until a camera went up.
The short fireplace season also changes things. Van Nuys gets maybe two or three months a year where anyone lights a wood fire. That means creosote sits in the flue for the rest of the year, and it hardens into a glazed, tar-like coating that a basic wire brush won’t touch. Add in dry Santa Ana winds that push embers and debris around, and you get a recurring need for spark arrestor maintenance and nest removal. Squirrels and birds love an unused chimney in a quiet Valley neighborhood.
Then there’s the gas log factor. A huge number of Van Nuys homeowners sealed their original fireplaces and switched to gas decades ago. The problem is that the old creosote never went away. We find forgotten layers of it from occasional wood fires in the 1990s, now baked onto the flue walls and stubborn as pavement. It’s a specific failure pattern, and it’s one of the first things we check on any gas log chimney in the 91405 and 91411 ZIP codes.
Styles & brands we work with
Our Main Van Nuys Services
Most Van Nuys homeowners first call us for a sweep, and many of those same calls turn into repair jobs once we get a camera into the flue. We also handle dryer vent cleaning, which matters more than most people think in a city with this many older laundry closets and converted garages.
Chimney Sweep in Van Nuys
A chimney sweep in Van Nuys means more than running a brush up the flue. On these older tract homes, we’re looking for cracked clay tiles, glazed creosote, animal nests, and any sign of moisture getting into the masonry. The dry climate makes some problems worse, especially creosote that hardens during the long off-season. Every sweep includes a camera inspection so you see what we see, not just a verbal summary. If your fireplace has been sitting unused for years, start here before you light anything. See the full scope on our Chimney Sweep in Van Nuys page.
Dryer Vent Cleaning in Van Nuys
Dryer vents in Van Nuys run through attics that hit 130 degrees in summer, and lint is already a fire hazard before you add that heat. The older single-story homes here often have long, poorly pitched vent runs that collect lint fast. If your dryer takes two cycles to finish a load, or the laundry room feels hot while it runs, the vent is the usual suspect. We clean vents as a standalone service or bundle them with a chimney sweep, and we inspect the full run from dryer to exterior cap. Details are on the Dryer Vent Cleaning in Van Nuys 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 Van Nuys
Chimney repair in Van Nuys is where this city’s housing stock really shows its age. The original clay flue tiles in 1950s fireplaces crack and shift after decades of Valley temperature swings, and once a tile is out of place, hot gases can reach the surrounding masonry. We also see a lot of failed flashing on the low-slope roofs common to these tract houses, plus crown damage from heat and dry air. Our Chimney Repair team handles everything from a simple cap replacement to a full flue relining, and we’ll always show you camera footage before recommending anything.
Chimney Cap Installation
Signs you need it
Rainwater in the firebox, animal noise in the flue, or an open flue top that’s been exposed for years are the three we hear most from Van Nuys homeowners.
What it costs in Van Nuys
Chimney cap installation in Van Nuys typically runs $180 to $340 depending on the flue size and whether we need to build up the crown for a proper fit.
How we do it
We measure the flue opening, check the crown surface, install a stainless steel cap sized to your chimney, and secure it with mechanical fasteners, not adhesive.
Chimney Flashing Repair
Signs you need it
Water stains on the ceiling near the chimney, damp drywall in the attic, or rusted flashing visible from the roof are all warnings on Van Nuys homes with older tar-and-gravel roofing.
What it costs in Van Nuys
Flashing repair around a Valley chimney typically falls between $300 and $650 depending on how much of the old flashing needs to be cut out and replaced.
How we do it
We remove the old flashing, inspect the masonry beneath, install new step flashing and counter-flashing sealed with high-temperature caulk, and test the seam before we climb down.
Chimney Crown Repair
Signs you need it
Cracked or crumbling mortar on top of the chimney, spalling brick below the crown line, or water pooling on the crown after rain mean the concrete cap has failed.
What it costs in Van Nuys
Crown repair in Van Nuys usually runs $400 to $800 if we can rebuild the existing crown surface rather than replace the whole concrete cap.
How we do it
We grind out the damaged concrete, build a form, pour a new crown with a proper overhang and drip edge, and seal the surface so water sheds away from the flue.
What Chimney Repair Costs in Van Nuys
| Item | Typical range in Van Nuys |
|---|---|
| Chimney cap installation | $180 – $340 |
| Chimney flashing repair | $300 – $650 |
| Chimney crown repair | $400 – $800 |
Do I need a new chimney liner if my flue tiles are cracked?
Not always. Cracked tiles can often be relined with a DuraFlex stainless system or resurfaced with HeatShield ceramic rather than demolishing the chimney. We’ll show you the camera footage and explain which option fits your specific damage before you spend anything.
Can you replace a chimney cap the same day you inspect it?
Usually, yes. If the flue is standard size and the crown surface is in workable shape, we keep common stainless steel caps on the truck and can install one during the same visit. Call (855) 341-9658 and we’ll tell you what’s realistic for your setup.
Brands We Service in Van Nuys
We specify and install professional-grade materials from Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield, with Gelco and DuraFlex options available for specific repair scopes. We stock common cap sizes and flashing components locally, which keeps most Van Nuys jobs from waiting on parts. See the full lineup on our brands page.
See the difference
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AfterPricing for Chimney Company in Van Nuys, CA
| Service | Typical range in Van Nuys |
|---|---|
| Chimney sweep (standard, single flue) | $169 – $289 |
| Chimney sweep with heavy creosote removal | $250 – $400 |
| Dryer vent cleaning | $99 – $189 |
| Chimney cap installation | $180 – $340 |
| Chimney flashing repair | $300 – $650 |
| Chimney crown repair | $400 – $800 |
| Chimney liner installation (DuraFlex or equivalent) | $1,800 – $3,500 |
| HeatShield flue resurfacing | $2,500 – $5,000 |
In Van Nuys, prices track upward when chimneys have glazed creosote from long off-seasons, when ficus roots have pushed against the foundation and cracked flue tiles, or when roof access on an older home requires extra setup. We give you a firm quote before work starts, and the price we quote is the price you pay.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Van Nuys
We work throughout Van Nuys, from the older tracts near Van Nuys Boulevard to the neighborhoods around Victory and Sepulveda. Most of our jobs are in the 91405, 91401, and 91406 ZIP codes, but we routinely serve the full 91410, 91411, 91470, and 91482 area. Typical scheduling for a chimney sweep or inspection in Van Nuys is within a few business days.
- Van Nuys Boulevard corridor
- Valley Glen border
- Sepulveda Basin area
- Victory Boulevard tracts
- North Hills boundary
Service Area – Cities Near Van Nuys
We also serve homeowners in the surrounding San Fernando Valley communities. Our regular service area includes Valley Glen, CA, Sherman Oaks, CA, Encino, CA, and North Hills, CA. If you’re right on the edge of one of these areas, call us and we’ll confirm coverage.
Serving Van Nuys, CA — Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Van Nuys 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 Van Nuys
Most chimney sweeps and cap replacements don’t require a city permit. Structural work like a full rebuild or major relining sometimes does, and we’ll tell you before we start if your job crosses that line. We handle the inspection and estimate either way.
Most Van Nuys calls are scheduled within three to five business days. We route Valley jobs in clusters to keep drive time down, so if you’re flexible on a morning or afternoon window, we can often get there faster. Call (855) 341-9658 and we’ll find the first open slot.
That’s a standalone service, not an add-on. Dryer vent cleaning in Van Nuys is priced separately and can be booked on its own, or combined with a sweep if you want both done in one trip. We clean the full run from appliance to exterior cap.
If your chimney has been sitting unused since last winter, or you smell something odd near the fireplace on a hot Valley day, call (855) 341-9658 for a free estimate. We’ll put a camera up your flue and show you exactly what’s there before any work is quoted.
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 Van Nuys Customers Say
"Thorough sweep and a clear report. He was running late from the job before and arrived near the end of the window, though he did call to warn me."
— Marcus Hampton"Cap keeps the birds out now, which after two springs of scratching noises is worth every penny."
— Shannon Ziegler"Level two inspection before we bought the house. The report was detailed enough to use as a negotiating point and he explained every photo in it."
— Roger Novak