Chimney Sweep & Repair in Ross Township, PA
Ross Township is all hills, and hills do strange things to chimneys: smoke that rolls back into the room, odors on humid days, and tall stacks on the downhill side that take the worst of the weather. We find the cause of each.
Close to the city, built on the slopes
Ross is one of the closest North Hills townships to the city, stretching north from the city line along Route 19 and McKnight Road. Its housing spans most of the last century: older homes in the neighborhoods nearest Pittsburgh, and lots of post-war ranches, Cape Cods and two-story brick homes farther out.
What ties it together is the terrain. Streets climb and drop, many lots are steep, and houses are often set into the hillside. A chimney might clear the roof by a few feet on the uphill side and stand two stories tall on the downhill side.
Terrain affects how a chimney works. A house below a ridge, or with tall trees nearby, can sit in turbulent air that pushes smoke back down the flue. A tall, exposed stack takes more wind-driven rain, so its brick and crown wear faster. And on a steep lot, simply setting a ladder safely takes planning.
Signs of a draft problem
- Smoke drifts into the room when you light a fire, or when the wind picks up
- A smoky or tar-like smell from the fireplace on humid summer days
- The fire is hard to start or won't stay lit
- Cold air pouring out of the fireplace when it isn't in use
- Soot stains on the face of the fireplace above the opening
The cause can be the flue, the chimney's height, the cap, the house itself, or the hill around it. We look at all of them before recommending anything.
Where we usually start
Smoky fireplace on a hillside?
Wind coming over a hill or ridge can push air back down a short chimney, and a tall stack on the downhill side takes the most weather. We check the flue, the cap, the chimney's height and the house before recommending anything, and you get a written price first.
Hillside chimney questions
Call or text with anything else, or see our FAQ page.
(412) 555-0142Why does my fireplace smell in the summer?
Will a new chimney cap stop the downdrafts?
Can you work on a chimney on a steep lot?
Do you cover West View, Shaler and the North Side?
How much does a chimney sweep cost in Ross Township?
What to expect
Confirmed window
A 2-hour arrival window by text, then an on-the-way message.
Home protected
Drop cloths, shoe covers and a HEPA vacuum before we start.
Top to bottom
Firebox, damper, flue, and the cap and crown on the roof.
Photo report
Texted the same day, with a written price for any repair.
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.