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 Melrose, CA
Chimney repair in Melrose comes down to one recurring theme: 1920s and 1930s stucco chimneys with original clay flues that were never designed for the way we use them now. Most of these bungalows have been converted to gas logs or central heat, leaving flues that sit dormant, crack in the dry summer heat, and then absorb water during winter rains. We’re Carlton Chimney Sweep, a full-service chimney and ventilation specialist. If you need a Chimney Repair in Melrose, call (855) 731-2852. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday.
Why Melrose Homes Are Different
Melrose’s older housing stock shapes almost every repair call we take here. The dense rows of Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean bungalows and duplexes share a common vulnerability: exterior stucco chimney caps that bake under the summer sun, develop hairline cracks, and then let rainwater into the masonry during the mild but steady rainy season. Add to that the original clay-tile flues, many of which were sized for wood burning and never lined for today’s gas appliances, and you get a specific set of problems that newer subdivisions simply don’t have.
The other factor is idle time. Warm, dry summers mean fireplaces go unused for months. That’s when birds and bees move into uncapped flues, building nests in a few weeks of quiet. By the time a homeowner in the smaller bungalows near Melrose Ave investigates, we’re often pulling out debris and then finding a deeper issue behind it. The work here is less about heavy creosote buildup and more about water intrusion, failed caps, and orphaned flues that no longer serve any appliance but still need to be sealed or relined to keep raccoons and rain out.
Styles & brands we work with
- Sweep & inspection
- Caps & crowns
- Flue relining
- Masonry repair
- Gas fireplace service
Our Main Melrose Services
Most Melrose homeowners reach out to us for one of two reasons: a chimney that hasn’t been cleaned in years, or a dryer vent that’s become a hidden fire hazard. Both are straightforward, and both are jobs we handle start to finish.
Chimney Sweep in Melrose
In Melrose’s older bungalows, a standard Chimney Sweep in Melrose usually means clearing out pest nests and debris from a flue that has sat idle through a long dry spell. The surrounding housing stock means we check the cap and crown on every visit, because those stucco toppers are the first thing to let water in. We handle the sweep and the fix, so if the cleaning uncovers a damaged liner or cap, we can talk through the repair options on the spot rather than handing you off to another contractor.
Dryer Vent Cleaning in Melrose
A Dryer Vent Cleaning in Melrose addresses a fire risk that most homeowners overlook entirely. Lint builds up gradually, and in the compact utility closets common to older Melrose bungalows, that accumulation happens faster than most people realize. Our team cleans the full vent run, checks the exterior termination point, and shows you exactly what we found. Your dryer vent is a fire risk too, and when we’ve finished, the airflow and the safety record are both back where they should be.
Chimney Repair in Melrose
Most chimney repairs in Melrose start with water. The 1920s to 1940s stucco chimneys that dominate this area have decorative caps that crack from years of dry heat exposure, then let winter rain into the masonry below. Once water gets in, it accelerates damage to the original clay tile flues, which were often left unlined when homes switched from wood to gas. That combination means a chimney that looks fine from the street can be actively deteriorating behind the stucco, and the fix usually involves more than caulk. This is the work we do most in Melrose, and we use professional-grade materials, not hardware-store substitutes. If you’re seeing rust, moisture, or spalling stucco, call (855) 731-2852 and we’ll walk through what’s actually going on.
Chimney Cap Installation
Signs you need it
Birds or bees getting into the flue, or water stains on the ceiling near the chimney chase after a rain.
What it costs in Melrose
Chimney cap installation in Melrose typically runs $350 to $650, depending on the flue size and the cap material you choose.
How we do it
We measure the flue opening precisely, match the cap to your chimney’s dimensions, secure it with the proper mechanical fasteners, and verify the draft before we leave.
Chimney Cap Replacement
Signs you need it
Rust staining down the chimney chase, a cap that’s visibly missing, or water pooling inside the firebox after storms.
What it costs in Melrose
Replacing a damaged cap on an older Melrose stucco chimney typically costs $400 to $750 installed, including removal of the old cap.
How we do it
We remove the old cap and any corroded mounting hardware, clean the flue crown surface, install a properly sized replacement, and confirm the fit is watertight.
Chimney Liner Installation
Signs you need it
Flaking clay tile debris at the bottom of the firebox, visible gaps in the old liner during a camera inspection, or a gas appliance venting into an unlined flue.
What it costs in Melrose
Liner installations on Melrose bungalows typically run $2,800 to $6,500, with the spread depending on flue length, accessibility, and whether the original clay liner has to be broken out first.
How we do it
We inspect the flue with a camera, choose a DuraFlex flexible liner system sized to your chimney, install it from the top down, and reconnect the appliance before testing the draft.
Chimney Flashing Repair
Signs you need it
Water staining on the ceiling or walls where the chimney passes through the roofline, or visible gaps and lifted flashing at the roof junction.
What it costs in Melrose
Flashing repair on Melrose’s stucco chimneys typically falls between $450 and $1,200, depending on how much of the old step and counter flashing has to be removed.
How we do it
We pull back the failed flashing, inspect the underlying roof deck and masonry for rot, install new step and counter flashing in the right gauge, and reseal the junction properly.
Chimney Crown Repair
Signs you need it
Cracks in the stucco or concrete crown at the top of the chimney, spalling fragments on the roof, or moisture seeping into the masonry below the cap.
What it costs in Melrose
Crown repair on a Melrose chimney generally costs $800 to $1,800 when resurfacing is possible without rebuilding the entire crown structure.
How we do it
We grind and clean the damaged crown, apply a weather-resistant resurfacing mix or replace the crown entirely if it’s too far gone, and slope it correctly so water sheds away from the flue opening.
What Chimney Repair Costs in Melrose
| Item | Typical range in Melrose |
|---|---|
| Chimney cap installation | $350 – $650 |
| Chimney cap replacement | $400 – $750 |
| Chimney liner installation | $2,800 – $6,500 |
| Chimney flashing repair | $450 – $1,200 |
| Chimney crown repair | $800 – $1,800 |
How do I know if I need a new liner or just a repair?
A camera inspection answers this definitively. We look for cracks, gaps, or spalling in the clay tile. If the damage is isolated, a repair may work. If the liner is extensively compromised, installation is the safer long-term fix. Call (855) 731-2852 and we’ll show you what we found before recommending anything.
Can a damaged chimney wait until next season?
Water intrusion rarely gets better on its own. In Melrose, the next winter rain will push deeper into whatever is already cracked. Small cap and crown fixes are far cheaper than rebuilding a water-damaged flue later. Call (855) 731-2852 for an exact quote, the estimate is free.
Brands We Service in Melrose
We install and maintain the material lineup trusted by certified chimney professionals: Olympia Chimney, Famco, Copperfield, and DuraFlex liners. That means parts that fit correctly and last, not whatever is on the shelf at a big-box store. You can read more about our brands and why the parts matter. Most common components ship quickly, so repairs don’t stall.
See the difference
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After
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AfterPricing for Chimney Company in Melrose, CA
| Service | Typical range in Melrose |
|---|---|
| Chimney sweep | $150 – $300 |
| Chimney cap installation | $350 – $650 |
| Chimney cap replacement | $400 – $750 |
| Chimney liner installation | $2,800 – $6,500 |
| Chimney flashing repair | $450 – $1,200 |
| Chimney crown repair | $800 – $1,800 |
| Dryer vent cleaning | $130 – $250 |
| Chimney inspection | $150 – $350 |
Two things push prices higher in Melrose than in newer parts of Los Angeles. The first is access: many bungalows have chimney access only through cramped side yards or steep roof pitches. The second is condition: unlined clay flues from the 1920s and 1930s often require more prep work than newer chimneys. Every job starts with a written estimate, so the price you see is the price you approve before we start.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Melrose
We cover the full Melrose area, from the smaller bungalow streets just off Melrose Ave to the surrounding residential blocks between Fairfax and La Brea. Our crews know the local housing stock and arrive prepared for the access quirks these older homes present.
- Melrose Hill
- Hancock Park border streets
- Melrose District residential blocks
- Fairfax-adjacent neighborhoods
- La Brea corridor homes
Response times in Melrose are typically within one to two days for most repair work, with sweep appointments often available sooner depending on the season. Call (855) 731-2852 and we’ll get you scheduled.
Service Area – Cities Near Melrose
Our service area extends well beyond Melrose itself. We regularly work in East Hollywood, CA, Atwater Village, CA, Hollywood Hills, CA, and Hancock Park, CA. Each neighborhood has its own housing quirks, but the fundamentals stay the same: inspect honestly, repair with professional-grade materials, and show you what we found and why it matters.
Serving Melrose, CA – Our Local Coverage Area
We serve Melrose 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 Melrose
Fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday. Most Melrose repair calls are scheduled within one to two days, and sweeps often sooner. We answer 24/7, so call (855) 731-2852 any time and we’ll get you on the schedule.
Most routine sweeps, cap replacements, and liner repairs don’t require a City of Los Angeles permit. Structural rebuilds sometimes do. We’ll tell you if your job falls into that category before any work begins, so there are no surprises.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual inspection and cleaning as needed. In Melrose, where fireplaces sit idle for long stretches, an annual check also catches pest nesting and cap damage before they become expensive repairs. If you use the fireplace regularly, once a year is the right interval for this climate and housing stock.
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 Melrose Customers Say
"Liner was cracked in two places. He walked me through the repair options honestly, including the one that was cheaper for him and better for me."
- Beatriz Salazar"Swept it, capped it, and installed a proper damper. The downdraft smell in the summer that we'd lived with for years is gone."
- Shane Bennett"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."
- Todd Thompson