Repairs & Estimates

Retainers are to be submitted by no later than 6pm the day after a time/date has been assigned. After this deadline, the appointment time/date will be assigned to the next caller. Retainers are fully refunded for cancelations, so long as the MFC office is notified no later than 8am the day prior to an appointment.

Masonry, gen-2 and 3 heat-form, and "pre-fab" fireplaces. Chimney sweeping takes approximately one to two hours. Ashpit clean-out services are not included or provided. Servicing can be performed year-round, as roof access isn't required. For electric "fireplaces," contact a licensed electrician.

Wood only, no pellet or coal applications. These are stove appliances that have been installed in a masonry fireplace. IRC and NFPA require inserts to be connected to a stainless and insulated chimney liner, which runs the entire height. Installations absent of a lining system and inserts installed in a pre-fab fireplace are not permitted, will not be serviced, and will be labeled as unsuitable for continued use. Servicing can be performed year-round, as roof access isn't required.

Wood only, no pellet or coal applications. "Legged" stoves are not intended for installation inside of a fireplace, and will not be serviced in the absence of a lining system. Servicing cannot be performed year-round, as roof access is required (most times). If the stove connects to a class-A chimney, to which there is a removeable tee cap on the exterior of the house, servicing can be performed year-round.

Open-faced gas log appliances usually require one last sweep prior to being converted from wood. Pilot lights must be shut off for at least two hours prior to arrival. Servicing the gas logs appliance or a sealed gas insert, and correcting pilot lights and non-fire errors require a licensed plumber, to which MFC is not.

Oil, natural gas, and propane applications; service availability is dependent on the time of year, as roof access is required most times. Gas seldom requires sweeping, unless it was previously an oil application. For emergencies, contact a licensed HVAC/plumbing specialist to diagnose the appliance(s) first, and it is still recommended to contact a larger, repair-based chimney company for service.

The service charge is on a per-bucket basis. Ash removal is user-level maintenance, and stoves and inserts are expected to be mostly cleaned of excessive ash (it doesn't have to be spotless). Most fireplaces have ashpits, and ash will be pushed into it by the technician. Vacuums are used to control soot and dust from entering the living space; sucking up ash over multiple households throughout the day will clog the filters, increasing the risk of soot spillage, damage, and contamination.

If your chimney isn't dirty enough to merit sweeping, services will be retracted. A level-1 inspection, performed in accordance with NFPA-211 standards, and cross-referenced against the current edition of IRC building code will be conducted for safety and operation. Most wood-burning applications can consume at least one full cord of firewood before servicing is required.

When converting from oil to gas for home-heating, replacing a home-heating appliance, direct-venting an appliance while another still vents into the chimney, or converting a fireplace from wood to gas, your building department will attach this certificate to the permit application (plumbing or mechanical). If the house was built prior to 2004, and if the chimney is of masonry construction, the flue will require chimney liner installation (which requires its own separate permit).

Dryer vent cleaning services are performed in tandem with the fireplace chimney inspection. Additional service and inspection forms will be supplied with the standard invoice, which can be forwarded to the HOA by the client.

Dryer vent cleaning services are performed in tandem with the fireplace chimney inspection and sweeping. If dryer vent services aren't required, price is reduced. Additional service and inspection forms will be supplied with the standard invoice, which can be forwarded to the HOA by the client.

For single-family homes, the dryer appliance must be functional, and connected to a duct which terminates outdoors. Ducts venting indoors into garages, basements, and attics will not be serviced.

All caps are comprised of UL-listed stainless steel, and are guaranteed for life against rust and corrosion, regardless of fuel type. Caps are not an in-stock item, as they usually require custom-fabrication. A preliminary eval appt is required for sizing.

Top-sealing damper "cap" which takes the place of the original damper located in the throat, above the fireplace opening, and braided steel cable is lowered into the fireplaces, and bracketed into either the left or right side wall for actuation. Aftermarket dampers are not an in-stock item, and a preliminary eval appt is required for sizing.

No-show/request to reschedule: a second retainer will be required to hold the rescheduled appointment. The first retainer will be credited towards the service charge, which will be added to the balance once services are completed. 

No-show/no reply upon arrival: the retainer will be credited towards the service charge, and both the client and property will be added to the "services not rendered" list. See below for late payment and non-payment information.