Level 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.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterGelco Chimney Cleaning & Sweep in Arlington Heights: What to Know First
We provide independent Gelco chimney cleaning and sweep services in Arlington Heights, typically scheduling within a week during peak season and within a few days in shoulder months. A standard Gelco system sweep and Level 1 inspection runs $189-$279; a Level 2 inspection with camera scan runs $329-$449, and every price is written before we start - no exceptions. This page is for Arlington Heights homeowners who own a Gelco chimney cap, Gelco liner, or Gelco-top-mounted damper and need cleaning, inspection, or sweep service from a technician who knows the product line without upselling you into work the camera doesn’t support. Call us at (331) 202-2419 for a free written estimate, or read on for what actually goes wrong with Gelco in this climate.
How Gelco Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Gelco Pre-Fab Chimney Caps (Model 8HT, 13HT series): The galvanized steel mesh on these caps fatigues faster in Arlington Heights than the manufacturer specs suggest, largely because freeze-thaw cycling from late October through April works the seams at the crown interface. We see mesh separation and corner rust-through on homes north of Euclid Avenue, especially where mature oak canopy traps moisture against the flue. We replace with Gelco-compatible 304 stainless mesh or full stainless cap assemblies, depending on what the camera shows upstream.
- Gelco Top-Mounted Dampers (Lyemance and Lock-Top lines): The silicone gasket on Lyemance dampers hardens after four to six winters of Arlington Heights temperature swings, losing seal and dumping conditioned air up the flue in summer. Lock-Top mechanisms collect creosote on the pivot pin, which is a known design vulnerability. We disassemble, clean the pin and throat, replace the gasket with OEM or equivalent high-temp silicone, and test seal with a smoke pencil - documented in your photo record under Haven Standard Clause 4.
- Gelco Stainless Steel Liners (UL 1777, 316Ti alloy): The corrugated flex sections flatten at offset transitions in older Arlington Heights colonials, particularly where the original masonry throat was modified in the 1970s or 1980s. Flattening reduces draft and accelerates creosote buildup in the low spot. During sweep, we camera-scan the full liner length, measure the deformation percentage, and note whether it’s within Gelco’s 15% ovalization tolerance or needs section replacement.
- Gelco Chimney Crowns (poured concrete and pre-formed): Gelco crowns installed without an expansion gap at the flue tile interface crack diagonally within three to five years in this freeze-thaw zone. Water enters, spalls the top course of brick, and the cap loosens. We don’t just caulk it - we cut a relief joint, install a bond break, and reseal with a flexible crown sealant rated for 200°F surface temps, then document the repair with before-and-after photos.
- Gelco Spark Arrestors (mesh inserts on wood-burning systems): The 5/8-inch mesh required by Illinois code clogs with glazed creosote (Class III) faster than the 1/2-inch mesh Gelco ships in some regions. Arlington Heights burners running seasoned hardwood still hit Class III by mid-season because our cold starts are harder on draft. We remove, media-blast or replace the arrestor, and note the creosote class in your written report so you know if your burning habits need adjustment.
Our Gelco Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Process
- 1
Call and scheduling: A live person answers, 24/7. We ask your Gelco model if you know it, the appliance type, and when you last had a sweep. We book a two-hour window and text when your tech is en route.
- 2
Arrival and setup: Your technician arrives uniformed, background-checked, with license number visible. We lay protection from the door to the hearth, inspect the appliance exterior, and set up the camera rig before touching anything.
- 3
Camera-scan inspection (NFPA 211 Level 2): The camera goes down the flue. We document liner condition, creosote class, joint gaps, and any Gelco-specific wear - damper gasket condition, cap mesh integrity, arrestor clogging. The camera doesn’t guess. Neither do we.
- 4
Written price and scope: Before any work beyond inspection, you get a written price, written scope, and written warranty. Haven Standard Clause 1: have it in writing. If you have a competitor’s written estimate, we’ll give you a free second opinion.
- 5
Sweep and repair: We sweep to NFPA 211 standards, replace any Gelco parts with OEM or quality aftermarket from our Haven buying network (DuraFlex, HeatShield, Olympia Chimney, Famco, Copperfield), and test all assemblies for proper operation.
- 6
Documentation and cleanup: You receive a photo record, written summary, and 365-Day Done Right Promise documentation. We vacuum, remove protection, and leave the work area cleaner than we found it.
Before
AfterWhat Gelco Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Costs in Arlington Heights
| Service | Typical Range | What Moves the Price |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Inspection + Sweep (Gelco system) | $189-$279 | Number of flues, roof access difficulty, creosote class (I vs. III) |
| Level 2 Inspection + Camera Scan | $329-$449 | Flue length, number of offsets, need for ladder vs. roof work |
| Gelco Cap Repair or Replacement | $240-$580 | Mesh only vs. full cap, stainless grade, chimney diameter |
| Lyemance/Lock-Top Damper Service | $180-$340 | Gasket only, full rebuild, or replacement; mechanism condition |
| Spark Arrestor Clean or Replace | $95-$195 | Media-blast vs. replacement, arrestor size and access |
These are Arlington Heights-specific ranges based on our 2024-2025 pricing through the Haven buying network. We don’t quote over the phone without seeing the system, but we also don’t start work without a written price you approve. Call (331) 202-2419 for a free estimate - we’ll schedule the inspection, deliver the camera findings, and give you the exact number before any work begins.
Why Arlington Heights Homeowners Call Level Two Chimney Arlington Heights for Gelco Work
We’ve inspected and cleaned more than 38,000 chimneys since 2009, and a significant share of those in Arlington Heights have been Gelco-capped or Gelco-lined systems in the older homes near Campbell Street and the post-war ranches south of Rand Road. Corrine Halstead and our techs know the difference between a Lyemance damper that needs a gasket and one that needs replacement because we’ve written up hundreds of them - with photos, not guesses.
Our materials come through the Haven buying network from DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield, which keeps prices honest and lets us match the right part to your system instead of forcing a one-brand solution. Every job carries the 365-Day Done Right Promise, and Clause 4 of the Haven Standard means you walk away with a documented photo record, not a verbal summary you’ll forget by November.
We’re independently owned and operated - not a franchise, not affiliated with Gelco - and we answer our own phones live, 24/7.
FAQs
No. As an independent Gelco service provider, we use warranty-safe practices and OEM or equivalent parts. Gelco’s warranty covers manufacturing defects, not service by independent technicians, provided the work doesn’t damage the product. We document everything so there’s no dispute.
The camera and smoke-pencil test tell us. If the throat plate is warped or the frame is cracked - common after a decade in Arlington Heights freeze-thaw - replacement is the honest call. If it’s gasket hardening or pin fouling, we rebuild. You’ll see the photos and get the written price before we proceed. Call (331) 202-2419 for a free estimate.
Most Gelco caps, dampers, and arrestors are in our Haven network inventory or available within two business days. For 316Ti liner sections or custom diameters, we order direct and schedule the repair visit once parts arrive - we don’t charge you to wait.
Annually for wood-burning systems, per NFPA 211. Gas systems with Gelco liners should be inspected annually and swept as needed - typically every two to three years unless the camera shows debris or moisture staining. Our cold-start climate produces more condensate and creosote than southern zones, so we don’t let Arlington Heights customers stretch it.
Class I creosote becomes Class III, which restricts draft and increases chimney fire risk. In Gelco systems specifically, heavy buildup can foul the Lyemance damper mechanism or clog the spark arrestor, creating a backdraft or CO hazard. The camera finds it early; skipping the sweep means finding it late. Call (331) 202-2419 - estimates are free, and we’ll show you exactly what we see.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner, Level Two Chimney Arlington Heights at Level Two Chimney Arlington Heights, serving Arlington Heights and nearby areas.