Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 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.
Chimney Company in Van Nuys, CA
Chimney repair in Van Nuys usually means restoring a fireplace that sat unused through a long, hot Valley summer and is now cracked, clogged, or drafting poorly. Most of the homes here were built between the 1940s and 1970s, and their original masonry flues, crowns, and dampers are now showing their age. Imperial Chimney has served Van Nuys since 2017, and we inspect every chimney as if it’s our own before recommending any repair. If you need a straight answer about your fireplace, call us at (866) 253-3809.
Why Van Nuys Homes Are Different
Van Nuys is San Fernando Valley ranch-house territory, and many of the original 1940s to 1960s tract homes along the 91401, 91405, and 91406 grid were built with brick or clay-tile fireplaces that residents use only a handful of nights each winter. That means the real chimney problem here isn’t heavy soot loads. It’s neglected, idle flues.
We regularly see fireplaces in Van Nuys that haven’t been lit in two or three years. Creosote that would normally burn off with regular use instead hardens into a glaze. Birds nest in the flue because nothing disturbs them. Masonry dries out and cracks through the hot, dry summers, and a Santa Ana wind event can push a damaged crown past the point of no return. Then a rare cold snap hits and a homeowner tries to light a fire in a chimney that hasn’t been looked at in years. That’s when they call us.
The post-war housing stock in Van Nuys was built fast and economically. Chimney crowns, dampers, and flue tile from that era often show age-related cracking even when the rest of the home is well maintained. A routine fall inspection in Van Nuys is really a post-summer reset check: we’re looking for what the heat, the birds, and the disuse did while the fireplace slept.
Styles & brands we work with
Our Main Van Nuys Services
Most Van Nuys homeowners call us about two things: keeping their chimney clean and safe, and clearing the dryer vent that runs through a wall or attic in these single-story ranch homes. Both are fire-safety issues, and both are jobs we handle with the same inspection-first approach.
Chimney Sweep in Van Nuys
A chimney sweep in Van Nuys is less about removing heavy soot and more about clearing what accumulated while the fireplace sat idle. We remove hardened creosote, evict bird nests and debris, and check the flue for the cracking that’s common in masonry chimneys from the 1950s and 1960s. We document what we find and show you before and after photos so you can see exactly what was in your flue. For full details on what a sweep includes and what it costs here, see our Chimney Sweep in Van Nuys page.
Dryer Vent Cleaning in Van Nuys
Dryer vents in Van Nuys ranch homes often run long horizontal distances through walls or attics before they reach the outside, and lint builds up in those runs far faster than in shorter vents. That lint is the leading cause of appliance-related house fires, according to NFPA data. We clean the entire vent run, from the dryer connection to the exterior termination, and we check the termination cap for the bird and debris blockages that are common in the Valley. See our Dryer Vent Cleaning in Van Nuys page for pricing and scheduling details.
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.
Chimney Repair in Van Nuys
Chimney repair in Van Nuys is typically about restoring a fireplace and flue that have been quietly degrading for years, not about fixing damage from heavy use. The original brick and clay-tile chimneys on these 1940s to 1970s tract homes were built for a different era, and decades of Valley heat, dry air, and seasonal disuse have taken their toll. We handle everything from cap replacement to full liner restoration, and we never recommend a repair without camera evidence you can see for yourself. That’s the same standard we apply across every Chimney Repair job we take on.
Chimney Cap Installation
Signs you need it
You can hear birds or scratching in the fireplace, or you see rusted metal or no cap at all on top of the flue.
What it costs in Van Nuys
Chimney cap installation in Van Nuys typically runs $300 to $700 depending on flue size and whether the crown needs minor patching first.
How we do it
We measure the flue, install a stainless steel or Gelco cap sized for proper draft, and secure it so birds and rain stay out.
Chimney Cap Replacement
Signs you need it
The existing cap is rusted through, missing sections, or no longer seated properly after years of Valley sun and Santa Ana winds.
What it costs in Van Nuys
Expect $350 to $800 to remove the old cap and install a new one sized to your flue, including any minor crown patching.
How we do it
We remove the damaged cap, inspect the flue opening for hidden damage, and install a replacement that fits correctly instead of a generic one-size-fits-all.
Chimney Liner Installation
Signs you need it
You have cracked flue tiles, a chimney fire history, or a gas appliance venting through an unlined or deteriorated masonry chimney.
What it costs in Van Nuys
Chimney liner installation in Van Nuys typically runs $2,500 to $6,000, with the final number driven by flue height, liner type, and access.
How we do it
We size a DuraFlex stainless steel liner to your flue, insulate it where code requires, and install it from the top down so the chimney is safe to use again.
Chimney Flashing Repair
Signs you need it
You see water stains on the ceiling near the chimney or dampness on the masonry after rain, even though the roof itself looks fine.
What it costs in Van Nuys
Chimney flashing repair in Van Nuys typically runs $350 to $900, more if the roofing around the chimney also needs to be opened up.
How we do it
We remove the old flashing, install new step and counter flashing sealed properly, and confirm the fix with a water test before we call it done.
Chimney Crown Repair
Signs you need it
The cement crown on top of your chimney is cracked, spalling, or missing pieces, letting water seep into the masonry below.
What it costs in Van Nuys
Chimney crown repair in Van Nuys typically runs $600 to $1,500, with the range set by crown size and how much of the old cement can be salvaged.
How we do it
We build a form, pour a new crown with the proper overhang and expansion gap, and seal it so water sheds away from the flue instead of into it.
What Chimney Repair Costs in Van Nuys
| Item | Typical range in Van Nuys |
|---|---|
| Chimney cap installation | $300 – $700 |
| Chimney flashing repair | $350 – $900 |
| Chimney crown repair | $600 – $1,500 |
How soon can you repair a chimney in Van Nuys?
Most repairs can be scheduled within one to two weeks. If the damage is structural or water is actively entering the home, we prioritize the job and can usually get out sooner.
Do I need a permit for chimney repair in Van Nuys?
Most cap, flashing, and crown repairs don’t require a permit under current Los Angeles building rules. Full liner replacement or structural rebuilds may, and we’ll tell you plainly if your job does.
Brands We Service in Van Nuys
We work with a defined set of professional-grade products, including HeatShield ceramic resurfacing, Gelco caps, Olympia Chimney supply components, and Famco venting. We stock the common parts locally so most Van Nuys repairs don’t wait on shipping. See our brands for the full list.
See the difference
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After
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AfterPricing for Chimney Company in Van Nuys, CA
We price by the job, not by the hour. You’ll know the full cost before we start, and nothing gets recommended without camera evidence you can review yourself.
| Service | Typical range in Van Nuys |
|---|---|
| Chimney sweep (standard, no repair) | $179 – $329 |
| Chimney sweep with minor repairs | $350 – $700 |
| Chimney cap installation | $300 – $700 |
| Chimney cap replacement | $350 – $800 |
| Chimney liner installation | $2,500 – $6,000 |
| Chimney flashing repair | $350 – $900 |
| Chimney crown repair | $600 – $1,500 |
| Chimney heat shield resurfacing (per flue) | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Chimney inspection (Level 2 w/ camera) | $250 – $500 |
| Dryer vent cleaning | $129 – $249 |
Two things push Van Nuys chimney prices up more than anything else: access and age. A chimney on a steep roof or one surrounded by mature Valley trees costs more to work on, and a flue that hasn’t been serviced since the original construction often hides damage that only shows up once we’re inside with a camera. We give you a firm price before any work starts, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Van Nuys
We work throughout Van Nuys, from the ranch-house blocks around Van Nuys Boulevard to the mid-century streets east of the 405 and the older tract homes in the 91401, 91405, and 91406 ZIP codes. Our crews know the layouts, the roof pitches, and the chimney quirks of these neighborhoods.
- Van Nuys Civic Center area
- Midvale
- Valley Glen adjacent tracts
- Sepulveda Basin residential streets
- Hazeltine Avenue corridor
Most Van Nuys jobs are scheduled within one week of your call, and we’ll give you a two-hour arrival window so you’re not waiting around all day.
Service Area – Cities Near Van Nuys
Imperial Chimney serves Van Nuys and the surrounding San Fernando Valley communities. If you’re in Valley Glen, CA, Sherman Oaks, CA, Encino, CA, or North Hills, CA, we can schedule your chimney or dryer vent service the same way we do in Van Nuys, with the same inspection-first approach and upfront pricing.
Serving Van Nuys, CA — Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Van Nuys 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 Company in Van Nuys
Most sweeps and inspections in Van Nuys are scheduled within three to five business days. If you have an active leak or you’re seeing smoke backdrafting into the house, tell us when you call and we’ll move the job up.
Some Van Nuys neighborhoods have HOAs that require approval for exterior work, though most single-family homes in the 91401, 91405, and 91406 areas do not. If your home is in an HOA, we can provide the scope of work and material specs they typically ask for.
We run a camera through the entire flue, inspect the crown, cap, flashing, and firebox, and document everything with photos. You see what we see, and we only recommend work the camera evidence supports. Call (866) 253-3809 for a free estimate on any chimney inspection or repair in Van Nuys.
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 Van Nuys Customers Say
"Crown was cracked and taking water. Repaired it rather than quoting a rebuild, which the previous company had pushed hard for."
— Adam Sutton"Drop cloths everywhere, HEPA vac, and not a speck of soot on the carpet. I'd been dreading the mess for nothing."
— Adriana Garcia"Fireplace had never drawn properly since we moved in. He found the damper was only opening halfway due to a bent linkage and fixed it in ten minutes."
— Salma Haddad