Soot & creosoteChimney Sweeping
We brush the whole flue and smoke chamber, vacuum the firebox, and tell you what condition the chimney is in.
- Drop cloths and sealed opening
- Nests and debris cleared
- Condition notes after every sweep
Answering Mon–Sat, 7 AM–7 PM
San Mateo Chimney Sweep& RepairMasonry and factory-built fireplaces, from Millbrae to Belmont and over the hill to the coast
Whether it's a brick chimney in Baywood, a prefab fireplace in a Foster City townhouse, or a rusting cap in Half Moon Bay, we sweep it, inspect it and fix it, and your rugs and furniture stay spotless.
94403near Hillsdale
92 & 101bay to coast
Mon–Sat7 AM–7 PM
Clean sweep · San Mateo
SM
San Mateo Chimney
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What we do
Chimney service for every kind of San Mateo home
Brick chimneys on older homes, factory-built fireplaces in condos and townhouses, and everything in between. Each one needs a different kind of care.
Soot & creosote
After a fire or saleInspections & Fire-Damage Checks
After a chimney fire, before a sale or when something seems off. We look at every part and give you photos and plain answers.
- Post-chimney-fire assessment
- Flue video inspection
- Insurance-ready documentation
Condos & townhousesFactory-Built Fireplaces & Chase Covers
Prefab fireplaces with metal flues in framed chases have their own problems. Cracked panels, rusted chase tops and worn caps are the common ones.
- Refractory panel replacement
- New sloped stainless chase covers
- Manufacturer-listed caps and parts
Brick & mortarMasonry Chimney Repair
Loose top courses, open joints and cracked bricks repaired, or the stack rebuilt above the roof when that's the better fix.
- Repointing and brick replacement
- Partial and full rebuilds
- Reinforcement options
Rainy seasonCrowns, Caps & Leaks
Water spots on the ceiling once the rains arrive usually start at the crown, cap or flashing. We pin down where water gets in and close it off.
- Crown repair and new crowns
- Stainless caps for salt air
- Flashing resealed or replaced
Damaged fluesChimney Relining
A chimney fire or decades of use can crack flue tiles. A stainless liner gives smoke and gases a sealed path out again.
- Stainless liners for wood and gas
- Insulated where needed
- Inspection before and after
CreosotePuffy, honeycombed
FireplaceDo not use
Did you have a chimney fire?
Signs a chimney fire happened
A roar or loud popping in the flue
Many people describe it as a freight train or a low rumble while the fire was burning.
Puffy, honeycomb-like creosote
Burned creosote swells into a light, flaky crust that falls into the firebox.
A warped damper or discolored cap
Extreme heat bends metal parts and leaves a cap or chase top scorched.
Cracked flue tiles or brick
Heat shock cracks the liner, and those cracks let future fires reach the house framing.
If you suspect a chimney fire, don't use the fireplace again until it's inspected. If a fire is burning in the chimney right now, get everyone out and call 911.
Chimney care by season
A year of chimney care in San Mateo
Our mild, wet winters and long dry summers set the rhythm. Book repairs when it's dry and the sweep before you light the first fire.
SPRING
Check for leaks
After the rainy season, look for stains near the fireplace and have the crown and flashing checked.
SUMMER
Do the big repairs
Dry weather is best for rebuilds, crowns and repointing, and the schedule is open.
FALL
Sweep before fires
Get the flue swept and the cap cleared before the first chilly evening.
WINTER
Watch and respond
Burn dry wood, keep an eye out for smoke or drips, and call if anything seems off.
Masonry
Brick steps, porches and hillside walls
San Mateo's hills mean lots of front steps and retaining walls. We keep them solid and safe.
Brick front steps
Wobbly bricks and sunken stairs relaid on a firm new base.
Porches & landings
Brick porches and entry landings repaired and repointed.
Hillside retaining walls
Brick and block walls on sloped lots in the Highlands, Sugarloaf and Hillsborough.
Hearths & mantels
Cracked hearth bricks and loose mantel stones put back together.
Front stepsRebuilt & level
MortarColor-matched
Coverage
From Park Place to the bay, the hills and the coast
We're near Hillsdale, between 101 and 92, so central Peninsula towns are minutes away and Highway 92 takes us over the hill to Half Moon Bay. Pick a town.
DestinationBaywood
About8 min
Where are you?
Call or text us
Tech leaves Park Place
Heads-up text en route
Drop cloths go down
Typical drives from 1185 Park Pl in normal traffic. Highway 92 to the coast can be slower on weekends. We confirm your window when you book.
How can I tell if I had a chimney fire?
Common clues are a loud roaring or popping sound while the fire burned, dense smoke, and a strong hot smell. Afterward you may find puffy, honeycombed creosote in the firebox, a warped damper, a discolored cap or cracked flue tiles. Don't use the fireplace again until it's inspected.
What is a factory-built fireplace?
Also called a prefab or zero-clearance fireplace, it's a metal firebox and metal flue installed inside a wood-framed chase instead of a brick chimney. They're common in condos, townhouses and homes from the 1970s on. Repairs need parts listed for that specific unit.
Why is there rust running down my siding below the chimney?
On a factory-built fireplace, the flat metal cover on top of the chase often rusts and pools water. Rust streaks and leaks follow. A new sloped stainless chase cover usually fixes it.
What season should I book chimney repairs?
Late spring through early fall. The weather is dry, so mortar and crowns cure properly, and you'll get more scheduling choices than in the fall rush.
Do you work in Half Moon Bay and on the coast?
Yes. We go over Highway 92 to Half Moon Bay and nearby coastside towns. Salt air there is hard on caps and flashing, so we use stainless parts.
Can you repair brick steps on a steep lot?
Yes. Hillside homes often have long brick or block stairs and walls. We repair or rebuild them to be level and solid.
When can I reach you?
Phones are answered 7 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Saturday. Sunday we're off.
Where we work
San Mateo neighborhoods and nearby towns
All of San Mateo, plus the towns from San Bruno to Redwood City and over the hill to Half Moon Bay.
- Baywood
- Hillsdale
- Aragon
- Shoreview
- Laurelwood
- San Mateo Highlands
- Burlingame
- Hillsborough
- Millbrae
- San Bruno
- Foster City
- Belmont
- San Carlos
- Redwood City
- Half Moon Bay
Ready for a clean, safe fireplace?
Sweeps, fire-damage checks, prefab repairs or brick work: one call to San Mateo Chimney & Masonry books it.
(650) 458-0808 Call San Mateo Chimney
San Mateo Chimney & Masonry
1185 Park Pl, Suite B
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 458-0808
Get directions →
San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 458-0808
Get directions →
| Monday | 7 AM – 7 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM – 7 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM – 7 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM – 7 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM – 7 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM – 7 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |