Licensed, insured, and backed by real results. We clear chimneys and dryer vents in Audubon so your home stays safe, and your system works like it should. No upsells, no fluff. Just a thorough sweep and a job well done.
If your chimney’s acting up, soot on the mantel, that telltale smell after lighting a fire, or a dryer that takes forever to dry clothes, you’re not overreacting. Audubon’s old homes and tight spaces make these problems worse. We cut through the myths and get straight to fixing it. Chimney sweeps, inspections, and dryer vent cleaning done right, with no jargon and no wasted time. Call (551) 249-3416 for a no-pressure estimate.
Comprehensive chimney sweep & dryer vent cleaning for Audubon homes and businesses.
A thorough, creosote-removing sweep that follows NFPA standards, no shortcuts. We use the right tools for your chimney type, whether it’s brick, masonry, or a modern stainless steel liner.
Learn more →A Level 2 inspection for Audubon homes, required before buying, selling, or after a fire. We check for structural damage, gas leaks, and hidden hazards that a sweep alone might miss.
Learn more →Stage 1, 2, or 3 creosote? We remove it all and fix what’s broken, no partial fixes that leave your chimney at risk. Includes minor repairs if needed.
Learn more →A clogged dryer vent wastes energy, damages your dryer, and traps lint, fire fuel. We clear the vent, check the ductwork, and ensure your dryer runs efficiently again.
Learn more →A damaged chimney liner is a fire waiting to happen. We install new stainless steel liners that meet UL standards and restore your chimney’s safety, permanently.
Learn more →Audubon’s tight homes and older heating systems can trap CO. We test for leaks, check your vents, and ensure your fireplace and dryer aren’t poisoning your air.
Learn more →We hold ourselves to the highest standards so you can hire with total confidence.
"We’d been putting off a chimney sweep for years, until our fireplace started smoking when we lit it. Called Hernandez, and they showed up the next morning. Not only did they clear out years of creosote, but they found a crack in the flue we’d never noticed. Fix it right the first time, no extra charges, no hard sell. Now we light fires without worrying."
"Our dryer had been running hot and slow for months, and we thought it was just getting old. Turns out, the vent was packed with lint, enough to start a fire. Hernandez pulled the ductwork apart, cleaned it out, and our dryer’s back to normal. Saved us from a repair bill and a potential disaster. That’s the kind of service you can trust."
"We inspected the chimney before listing our Audubon home, no surprises at closing. The last company we called gave us a report full of jargon and red flags. Hernandez came in, explained everything in plain terms, and even helped us negotiate with the buyer when they found a minor issue. No pressure, no sales pitch, just good, honest work. Highly recommend."
"Our chimney liner was rusted through, and we were terrified of what that meant. Hernandez installed a new stainless steel liner, sealed it up, and gave us a warranty. No upselling us into a full rebuild, just the fix we needed. Now we can use the fireplace without worrying. That’s what a real pro does."
"We’d heard horror stories about chimney sweeps overcharging or doing a half job. Not Hernandez. They showed up on time, did a thorough sweep, and even checked our dryer vent for free because they noticed it was clogged. No fluff, no upsells, just good work at a fair price. We’ll be calling them every year."
"Our old home had a chimney that was always drafty, and we thought it was just the way it was. Hernandez found a collapsed section of the liner and fixed it in a few hours. Now the fireplace draws perfectly, and we’re not worried about CO leaks. They don’t just sweep, they solve problems. That’s why we’ll keep calling them."
Audubon homes need a chimney sweep that cuts through the guesswork. Hernandez Chimney and Dryer Vent Company doesn’t sell you on myths like ‘sweep once a year no matter what’ or ‘your chimney looks fine.’ We start with a no-nonsense inspection, checking for creosote buildup, cracks, or blockages that could turn your fireplace into a fire hazard. If you’ve got an older home with a masonry chimney, we’ll tell you straight if it’s due for repairs or if you’re safe to keep using it. No upselling, no vague promises. Just the facts, and a job done right the first time.
No waiting weeks for an appointment. We answer calls the same day and schedule sweeps or inspections within 48 hours, especially for Audubon homes where chimneys don’t wait. If it’s an emergency, like a fire or CO leak, we’re there within the hour. No games, no runaround. Just a pro who shows up when you need them.
We don’t just climb up and start brushing. First, we check for cracks, blockages, or signs of water damage. If your chimney’s got a problem, we’ll tell you before we touch anything. No surprises, no hidden fees. That’s how we’ve earned trust in Audubon for years.
Creosote hides in tight spots. We use high-pressure air tools to blast it out, not just scrape the surface. For dryer vents, we pull the ductwork apart and vacuum it clean, no half-measures. If it’s not spotless, we’re not done. Period.
We don’t just leave. We run a final inspection to make sure everything’s clear, then give you a written report with photos if there were issues. No fluff, no upsells, just the facts. And if we find something that needs fixing, we’ll explain it in plain terms, no jargon.
Older homes, tight spaces, and Audubon’s mix of brick and masonry chimneys mean problems show up faster. We’ve seen chimneys here with hidden cracks, rusted dampers, and creosote buildup that turns into a fire in weeks. Our inspections catch these issues before they become emergencies. No two chimneys are the same, and we treat yours like it’s the only one we’ve ever seen.
Some crews clock out after billing by the hour, we don’t. We charge by the job, and we don’t leave until it’s done right. If your chimney’s got a collapsed liner or a vent that’s been ignored for years, we’ll tell you upfront. No pressure to book extra services, just honest work. That’s why Audubon homeowners call us back when their neighbors recommend a sweep.
Lint isn’t just a nuisance, it’s fuel. Audubon’s older homes often have dryer vents that twist and turn, trapping lint like a sieve. We pull the ductwork apart, vacuum it clean, and check for hidden blockages. A clean vent means your dryer runs cooler, lasts longer, and doesn’t turn your laundry room into a tinderbox.
‘Should I really be sweeping my chimney twice a year?’ ‘Is that smell after lighting a fire normal?’ We’ve heard it all. No judgment, just straight answers. If your chimney’s acting up, we’ll tell you exactly what’s wrong and how to fix it, no upsells, no fluff. That’s the kind of service Audubon deserves.
Expert local advice for Audubon homeowners.
Audubon’s old stone fireplaces and tight chimneys hide dangerous creosote buildup. Here’s what no one tells you about finding a real chimney sweep near you, plus when to call one in Clayton, Maplewood, or Ridgewood.
Read more →Audubon’s humid summers and old brick homes mean chimneys here fail fast. This guide cuts through the fluff: what a real chimney inspection covers, how to spot hidden damage, and why most homeowners overlook the worst risks, including the one that starts fires in Maplewood and Ridgewood every fall.
Read more →Audubon’s humid summers and old brick homes demand expert chimney care. Learn real chimney sweep costs, red flags, and why skipping a pro risks your home, and wallet.
Read more →Proudly serving Audubon and these nearby communities.
Yes. What you see inside your fireplace isn’t the full picture. Creosote, a flammable tar, builds up on the flue walls, often invisible until it’s too late. In Audubon’s older homes, even a single missed sweep can leave a quarter-inch of buildup, which is enough to ignite. We use a brush that reaches the top of your chimney and a camera to spot hidden cracks or blockages. If you’ve used your fireplace at all this season, assume it needs a sweep.
Absolutely. A sweep alone won’t catch structural issues like a crumbling flue or a damaged crown. In Audubon’s colder months, a small crack can let cold air in, reducing efficiency and increasing fire risk. Our inspections cost a little more upfront but could save you hundreds in repairs later. We’ll also check your damper and smoke chamber, common trouble spots in homes with fireplaces that haven’t been used in years.
Even with dry wood, creosote forms. The type depends on burn temperature, if your fire smolders instead of burns hot, you’ll get sticky, flammable Stage 2 creosote faster. Audubon’s older masonry chimneys are especially prone to this because they don’t draw as well as modern setups. We’ve seen chimneys with ‘perfect’ wood-burning habits still packed with buildup. Sweeping every 45–60 days of use is the safe play.
Only if the sweep included a full inspection and gave you the green light. Some services rush through sweeps to avoid finding problems. We won’t let you light a fire until we’re 100% sure the flue is clear, the damper works, and there’s no hidden debris. In Audubon’s tight housing, a missed blockage could send smoke into your attic or neighbor’s yard. We’ll test the draw with a smoke pencil before you relight.
A sweep won’t fix a smoky fireplace, it’ll only clear out existing soot. If smoke backs up into your room, you’ve got a blockage, cracked liner, or a damper that doesn’t seal. We’ll diagnose the real issue during your inspection. Common fixes in Audubon include resealing dampers, cleaning out bird nests, or relining damaged flues. Ignoring smoke means you’re pumping toxic gases into your home.
No. A ‘working’ dryer that takes 2+ hours to dry a load is costing you $100+ a year in wasted energy, and it’s a fire hazard. Lint builds up faster in Audubon’s humid summers, clogging vents and overloading motors. We’ve pulled pounds of lint from vents where homeowners thought ‘it’s fine.’ A cleaning takes 30 minutes and adds years to your dryer’s life. If you’ve never had yours cleaned, schedule it now.
Yes, but adjust your schedule. Holiday use means irregular burning, which creates more creosote than steady use. If you light your fireplace 3–5 times a year, sweep before the first fire and again after the last one. Audubon’s older homes with single-wall metal chimneys are especially risky, those flues corrode faster and can fail without warning. Don’t assume ‘it’s fine’ just because you don’t use it often.
A sweep cleans the flue; an inspection checks for damage, blockages, and safety issues. Many sweeps skip inspections to save time, but that’s how problems get missed. We do both because a clean chimney isn’t safe if the structure’s failing. For example, we found a cracked flue in a home where the previous sweep only cleaned, no wonder the homeowner’s smoke kept backing up. Inspections cost more but prevent costly repairs.
Fast response, upfront pricing, and workmanship guaranteed. Get your free estimate today.