Chimney Sweep & Repair in McCandless, PA
McCandless is full of solid mid-century homes, and many have had their furnace replaced at least once. That upgrade can leave the water heater venting into a chimney that's no longer the right size. We check for it on every visit.
Mid-century homes, now on their second or third furnace
The Town of McCandless sits in the North Hills along Route 19, next to North Park. Most of its neighborhoods were built in the decades after the Second World War: brick and frame ranches, split-levels and two-story colonials on quiet, hilly streets, with newer development mixed in.
A typical chimney here is brick with clay-tile flues, one for a fireplace and one for the gas furnace and water heater. The brick has seen 50 or more Pittsburgh winters, so we check the crown and the top courses of mortar closely. But the issue we most want McCandless homeowners to know about is inside the furnace flue.
When the furnace leaves the chimney
Older gas furnaces and water heaters usually shared one flue. A new high-efficiency furnace vents out the side of the house through plastic pipe, and the water heater is left alone in a flue sized for both.
If you've replaced your furnace in the last 20 years or so and nobody looked at the chimney, it's worth a check.
What happens in the flue
- Before
- Furnace and water heater share one masonry flue, sized for both.
- After
- The new furnace vents by PVC. The water heater's small exhaust can't warm the big, cold flue.
- Result
- Condensation and weak draft. Acidic moisture eats at clay tile and mortar, and exhaust can spill back into the basement.
- The fix
- Usually a stainless liner sized for the water heater alone.
Where we usually help
Water heater & furnace liners
Correctly sized stainless liners after an appliance change, or when old clay tiles have cracked.
Camera inspections
See condensation damage, fallen tile or gaps in the flue that you'd never spot from the basement.
Masonry repair
Repointing and rebuilding the top of the stack, where 50-plus winters show first.
Chimney sweeping
Fireplace flues swept, with a Level 1 inspection of the whole chimney.
What to expect
2-hour window
Confirmed by text, plus an on-the-way message.
Clean work
Drop cloths, shoe covers and a HEPA vacuum.
Photo report
Every flue, texted to you the same day.
Written price
Before any work, and free repair estimates.
Do you service gas furnace and water heater flues in McCandless?
How do I know if my water heater is orphaned?
Can you inspect before we close on a house in McCandless?
Do you also cover Hampton and nearby townships?
How much does a chimney sweep cost in McCandless?
Nearby service areas
Pick a time. We'll handle the rest.
Send the form and we'll text you within one business hour to confirm your service, your price and a 2-hour arrival window.
- Price in writing first. Nothing starts until you've seen it and said yes.
- 2-hour arrival window, with an on-the-way text and your technician's name.
- No mess. Drop cloths, shoe covers and a HEPA vacuum.
- Photo report texted to you the same day.
- Licensed & insured. Saturday appointments available.
You're on the list
Thanks! We'll text you within one business hour to lock in your arrival window. Need us sooner? Call (412) 555-0142.