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
AfterChimney Cleaning in Aloha, OR
Chimney cleaning in Aloha, OR typically costs between $189 and $329 for a standard sweep with a Level 1 inspection, though many homes here need a Level 2 camera inspection at the higher end because of what’s inside the flue. Most of Aloha’s fireplaces are factory-built zero-clearance units installed in the 1970s and 1980s, and they’re now decades past their designed service life with rusted fireboxes, deteriorating refractory panels, and moisture-damaged flues that simple sweeping alone won’t address. If you haven’t had your Aloha chimney inspected in the last two years, call (980) 580-8641 for a written price before any work starts.
Why Aloha Homes Are Different
Aloha exploded as an affordable suburb between roughly 1968 and 1985, and builders filled the new ranch and split-level tract homes with prefabricated metal fireplaces rather than full masonry chimneys, because zero-clearance units were faster and cheaper to install. Those units from brands like Heatilator and Superior were rated for 20 to 30 years of service. Aloha’s stock is now 40 to 50 years old, and the flue liners inside those prefab systems are thin stainless or galvanized metal that rusts from the inside out when the Tualatin Valley’s 38 to 40 inches of annual rainfall keeps moisture sitting against cold metal surfaces for months between burn seasons.
That long October-through-April wet season matters more than most homeowners realize. When you light the first fire of fall into a moisture-saturated flue, the smoke hits cold metal, condenses rapidly, and lays down a layer of creosote that bakes into a hard, glossy glaze with repeated use. Oregon DEQ curtailment Action Days for the Tualatin Valley air shed add another wrinkle: Aloha residents burn heavily on allowed days and go cold during restrictions, which produces exactly the low-temperature smoldering conditions that create stage-2 and stage-3 creosote faster than steady burning ever would. A routine sweep is only part of the picture here. The real question is whether the 40-year-old prefab system behind the fireplace is still safe to operate at all.
Our Main Aloha Services
Aloha homeowners call us most often for two specific jobs: fireplace service on aging prefab units that haven’t been opened up in years, and cap and crown work to stop Tualatin Valley rain from accelerating rust and mortar failure. Both are covered in detail on their own Aloha pages.
Fireplace Services in Aloha
Most fireplace calls in Aloha start with a homeowner who smells something odd, sees rust flakes in the firebox, or notices the refractory panels behind the logs are crumbling. Those are normal end-of-life signs for factory-built units installed in the 1970s and 80s, and they require a full component inspection, not just a sweep. We pull the unit apart far enough to check the firebox, refractory panels, damper, and flue connection, then show you photos of what we found before we recommend anything. Fireplace Services in Aloha covers the full scope of what we do.
Chimney Cap & Crown in Aloha
A missing or damaged chimney cap in Aloha means rain falls directly onto the flue liner and into the firebox for six months out of the year. The crown, the concrete slab that seals the top of a masonry chimney, cracks from freeze-thaw cycles even in mild Oregon winters, and once water gets behind the crown it spalls the brick and mortar below. We install and repair caps, rebuild crowns, and seal the top of the chimney so the wet season stays outside where it belongs. Chimney Cap & Crown in Aloha has the full breakdown.
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.
BeforeAfterChimney Sweep in Aloha
Chimney sweep in Aloha is not the same job as it is in older Portland neighborhoods with true masonry chimneys. The factory-built zero-clearance systems that fill Aloha’s ranch homes from the 1970s and 80s have thin metal flue liners and enclosed chase tops that trap moisture, and a standard brush sweep often misses the hidden corrosion and failing refractory components that actually determine whether the unit is safe. We start every Aloha job with a camera down the flue, because a brush alone tells you nothing about what the liner looks like on the inside. That’s the standard we’ve worked to since 2009, and it’s written into Clause 4 of the Haven Standard: a documented photo record on every visit. Our full process is detailed on the Chimney Sweep page.
Level 1 Inspection
Signs you need it
You burn regularly and haven’t had anyone look at the chimney in two years, or you just bought the house and have no record of the last service.
What it costs in Aloha
A Level 1 inspection alone in Aloha runs $99 to $189, though most homeowners bundle it with a sweep since the inspection is the part that tells you whether the sweep is even the right service.
How we do it
We check the accessible portions of the fireplace, damper, flue, and exterior chimney from the ground, then run a camera through the flue so you see what we see.
Creosote Removal
Signs you need it
You see shiny black or brown buildup on the fireplace walls, you’ve had more than one curtailment-cycle season of stop-start burning, or a previous sweep flagged stage-2 or stage-3 creosote.
What it costs in Aloha
Creosote removal in Aloha ranges from $189 to $329 depending on the creosote class and whether it’s glazed stage-3 requiring rotary loop tools instead of a standard brush.
How we do it
We run a camera first to classify the creosote, then use the appropriate mechanical method for the stage we found, followed by a second camera pass to verify the flue is clean.
Annual Sweep
Signs you need it
It’s been a year or more since the last cleaning, or you’ve noticed a smokey smell when the fireplace is lit and the damper is open.
What it costs in Aloha
An annual sweep with a Level 1 inspection in Aloha runs $189 to $329, with the lower end for a straightforward cleaning and the higher end when creosote is heavy or a chase-top removal is needed to access the flue.
How we do it
We protect the hearth, run a brush or rotary system through the flue, vacuum the firebox and smoke shelf, then show you the before-and-after photos.
What Chimney Sweep Costs in Aloha
| Item | Typical range in Aloha |
|---|---|
| Level 1 Inspection | $99 - $189 |
| Chimney Sweep with Level 1 | $189 - $329 |
| Creosote Removal (Stage 2 or 3) | $189 - $329 |
How often should I have my Aloha chimney swept?
Once a year if you burn regularly, and especially after a winter of DEQ curtailment cycles that force stop-start burning. Those smoldering burns create glazed creosote faster than steady fires do.
Can you clean a zero-clearance fireplace the same way as a masonry chimney?
Yes, but the inspection matters more. The flue is metal, often rusted, and the firebox components fail from age. We sweep and inspect the full unit every time, because sweeping alone misses the cracks and corrosion. Call (980) 580-8641 for an exact quote.
Chimney Repair in Aloha
Chimney repair in Aloha splits into two very different jobs: fixing true masonry chimneys on the minority of older homes that have them, and repairing failing metal components on the prefab zero-clearance systems that dominate the housing stock. On masonry chimneys, the Tualatin Valley’s long wet season soaks into cracked crowns and spalled mortar joints, then the moisture freezes and thaws through the winter and widens every gap it finds. On prefab units, the repair is usually about rusted chase tops, failing flashing, and water-damaged firebox panels that need replacement, all of which we document with camera photos before we quote. Our full repair process is outlined on our Chimney Repair hub page.
Mortar Repointing
Signs you need it
You can see missing or crumbling mortar between the bricks, especially near the top of the chimney where the crown has been leaking.
What it costs in Aloha
Mortar repointing in Aloha ranges from $500 to $1,500 depending on how many courses of brick need work and whether scaffold access is required.
How we do it
We rake out the deteriorated mortar to a proper depth, pack in fresh mortar matched to the original, and seal the area so water stops getting behind the brick.
Flashing Repair
Signs you need it
You have water stains on the ceiling near the chimney, or the metal flashing where the chimney meets the roofline is visibly rusted or pulled away.
What it costs in Aloha
Flashing repair in Aloha runs $275 to $700, with the higher end covering full replacement and re-sealing around the chimney base.
How we do it
We remove the old flashing, install new aluminum or galvanized flashing with proper overlap, and seal the roofline joint against Aloha’s winter rain.
What Chimney Repair Costs in Aloha
| Item | Typical range in Aloha |
|---|---|
| Mortar Repointing | $500 - $1,500 |
| Flashing Repair | $275 - $700 |
| Spalling Brick Repair | $500 - $1,800 |
Can a rusted prefab fireplace be repaired, or does it need replacement?
It depends on what the camera shows. Refractory panels can be replaced, but a rusted-through firebox or flue usually means replacement is the only safe option. We show you the photos before any recommendation.
How urgent is cracked mortar on an Aloha chimney?
Cracked mortar lets water in year-round, and every winter freeze cycle widens it. It’s worth fixing before the next wet season. Call (980) 580-8641 and we’ll inspect it with a camera and give you a written price.
Chimney Liner & Rebuild in Aloha
Chimney liner and rebuild work in Aloha is most often about the metal flue liner inside a 40-year-old prefab chimney that has rusted through, or a masonry chimney whose crown failed years ago and let water destroy the brickwork from within. The persistent moisture from Aloha’s long wet season accelerates liner corrosion on factory-built units well before the fireplace itself stops working, which means a homeowner can be burning fires into a flue that’s no longer safely containing the heat. The job here is to remove the failed liner, replace it with a properly sized stainless system, and rebuild whatever water damage the old one left behind. We use materials from Gelco, Olympia Chimney, and Copperfield, sourced through Haven’s buying network to keep customer prices honest. The full scope of this work is on our Chimney Liner & Rebuild page.
Stainless Steel Liner
Signs you need it
Your current liner is rusted, perforated, or the camera shows gaps in the flue walls that would let heat and gases escape into the framing.
What it costs in Aloha
A stainless steel liner install in Aloha runs $2,300 to $5,500 depending on flue height, access, and whether insulation is needed for clearance requirements.
How we do it
We measure the flue, pull the failed liner, drop in a properly sized insulated stainless liner, reconnect the fireplace, and document the completed install with photos.
Partial Rebuild
Signs you need it
The top several courses of brick are spalling or loose, or the crown and shoulders are broken but the rest of the chimney below is sound.
What it costs in Aloha
A partial rebuild in Aloha runs $1,500 to $3,200, covering the top courses of brick, a new crown, and sealant work.
How we do it
We tear down the damaged top section to sound material, rebuild it with matched brick and proper mortar, pour a new crown with an overhang, and reflash the top.
What Chimney Liner & Rebuild Costs in Aloha
| Item | Typical range in Aloha |
|---|---|
| Stainless Steel Liner | $2,300 - $5,500 |
| Partial Rebuild | $1,500 - $3,200 |
| Full Chimney Rebuild | $4,000 - $12,000 |
Do I really need a new liner, or can it be patched?
Liners can sometimes be patched at a seam, but a rusted-through liner in a prefab unit usually means the metal has lost structural integrity across its length. The camera tells us which situation you’re in.
How long does a liner replacement take in Aloha?
Most liner replacements are done in one day, with a second day if a partial rebuild is also needed. We give you a written scope and timeline before we schedule. Call (980) 580-8641 for an exact quote.
Brands We Service in Aloha
We work on prefab fireplaces from Heatilator and Superior, and we stock and source replacement parts from Gelco, Olympia Chimney, and Copperfield. Most common components are available within a few days through the Haven supply network. See our brands page for the full list of what we service.
Pricing for Chimney Cleaning in Aloha, OR
| Service | Typical range in Aloha |
|---|---|
| Level 1 Inspection | $99 - $189 |
| Chimney Sweep with Level 1 | $189 - $329 |
| Creosote Removal (Stage 2 or 3) | $189 - $329 |
| Mortar Repointing | $500 - $1,500 |
| Flashing Repair | $275 - $700 |
| Spalling Brick Repair | $500 - $1,800 |
| Stainless Steel Liner | $2,300 - $5,500 |
| Partial Rebuild | $1,500 - $3,200 |
| Full Chimney Rebuild | $4,000 - $12,000 |
The two things that push Aloha jobs toward the higher end of these ranges are heavy glazed creosote from curtailment-cycle burning and water-damaged metal components on aging prefab units. That’s also why we don’t quote over the phone without seeing the chimney: every job gets a written price, written scope, and written warranty before any work begins, per Clause 1 of the Haven Standard.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Aloha
We cover the full Aloha area, from the original tract developments near TV Highway to the newer subdivisions and unincorporated pockets in every direction. Crews are dispatched from the brand’s Portland office and serve Aloha locally.
- Aloha Park
- Butternut Creek
- Cooper Mountain
- Hazeldale
- Reedville
Most Aloha neighborhoods are within a 30-minute drive of our dispatch point, and we schedule by date and time window with a text when the technician is on the way.
Service Area - Cities Near Aloha
Emberly Chimney Cleaners serves Aloha and the surrounding Tualatin Valley communities, including Portland, OR, Gresham, OR, Hillsboro, OR, and Beaverton, OR. If you’re in any of these areas and need a chimney cleaned, inspected, or repaired, call (980) 580-8641 and we’ll get you on the schedule.
Serving Aloha, OR - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Aloha 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 Cleaning in Aloha
Most cleaning and repair work doesn’t require a permit, but a full rebuild or liner replacement that involves structural changes may need one depending on Washington County requirements. We’ll tell you in the written scope if a permit applies to your job.
We typically schedule Aloha inspections within a few days of your call, and we work around your availability with a text confirmation when the technician is en route. Call (980) 580-8641 to get on the calendar.
Curtailment days restrict burning, not sweeping. In fact, the stop-start pattern those restrictions create often means you need the creosote checked sooner. We’ll inspect regardless of the burn status.
If you want a written price, a camera inspection, and a photo record of what we found, call (980) 580-8641. Aloha’s prefab chimneys are aging, and the only way to know what’s behind the wall is to look. We’ll show you what we see.
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 Aloha Customers Say
"Found a bird nest and a blocked flue we had no idea about. Photographed everything, cleared it, and explained what the smell had been."
- Curtis V."They told me the flue was fine and I did not need a liner. Charged me for the inspection and nothing else. That is why I have called them twice since."
- Hal M."Cap and crown replaced after water was getting in. Price was quoted in writing, and they showed me the mortar failure first."
- Neil O.