Protecting Rhode Island’s historic brickwork with expert chimney sweeping, liner repairs, and masonry restoration since 1987
Older homes in North Providence deserve chimney care that respects their original brickwork and masonry. Ember Crest Chimney Inc. specializes in diagnosing and repairing the unique issues older chimneys face—from cracked liners to deteriorating mortar—so you never risk a dangerous chimney fire or carbon monoxide leak. Serving Rhode Island families for over 35 years, we combine traditional craftsmanship with modern safety standards to keep your hearth safe, warm, and looking its best.
Comprehensive chimney sweep for North Providence homes and businesses.
Deep-cleaning for older chimneys with heavy creosote buildup or historic brickwork.
Learn more →Restoring cracked, shifting, or missing flue liners in older brick chimneys.
Learn more →Repairing mortar joints and brick damage in historic chimneys.
Learn more →Shielding your chimney from North Providence’s wet winters and summer humidity.
Learn more →Upgrading outdated flues to modern safety standards without gutting your masonry.
Learn more →Detecting silent threats in older chimneys before they become emergencies.
Learn more →We hold ourselves to the highest standards so you can hire with total confidence.
"After our 1923 home’s chimney failed inspection, Ember Crest rebuilt the crown and relined the flue. The crew was meticulous—no mess, no delays—and the new liner solved our draft issues immediately. Worth every penny."
"We’ve used Ember Crest for 10 years. They caught a hairline crack in our liner before it caused a problem and repaired it during their regular sweep. Their waterproofing treatment also stopped the efflorescence stains on our brick."
"The crew arrived on time, explained the camera inspection results clearly, and fixed our tuckpointing within a week. No upselling—just honest work. Our insurance company even lowered our premium after the repairs."
"My 1890s chimney had so much water damage I thought we’d need a full rebuild. Ember Crest restored the mortar joints and installed a cap for under $3,000. The chimney looks like new, and the draft is perfect."
"We had creosote buildup so thick the sweep said it was a fire hazard. Ember Crest cleaned it thoroughly and showed us photos of the before/after. Our fireplace burns cleaner now, and the house smells fresher."
"The crew was patient with our questions and left the work area spotless. They explained why our liner needed replacement and gave us options that fit our budget. Best chimney service we’ve ever used."
At Ember Crest Chimney Inc, we specialize in the care of North Providence’s historic and older homes, where brickwork and masonry tell the story of the neighborhood. Our team has spent years mastering the quirks of Rhode Island’s classic chimneys—nineteenth-century brick stacks with shifting foundations, century-old clay liners that crack under seasonal freeze-thaw cycles, and flues that were never meant to handle modern wood stoves. We don’t just sweep; we diagnose the hidden wear that comes from decades of Rhode Island winters, from mortar joints that crumble to crowns that let water seep into the masonry. When you call us, you’re hiring a crew that reads chimneys like an architect reads blueprints—knowing exactly where the next repair will be needed before the first shovel hits the ground.
We start with a 15-minute walkthrough of your North Providence home’s chimney, noting visible cracks, leaning bricks, or missing caps. We’ll discuss your heating habits, past issues, and any concerns—like draft problems in winter or water stains near the flue.
Using a 180° HD camera, we inspect your flue from top to bottom, checking for creosote levels, liner cracks, and blockages. This reveals hidden issues standard cameras miss, like a liner gap behind a brick that’s letting heat escape into your wall.
We provide a detailed report with photos, a clear scope of work, and a fixed-price estimate. No surprises—just honest pricing for North Providence homeowners. If we spot an urgent issue, we’ll prioritize it to prevent further damage.
Our crews complete repairs using techniques tailored to older masonry, then perform a final sweep to remove all debris. We leave your chimney safer, your home cleaner, and your fireplace ready for the next burn season.
North Providence’s pre-1950 homes weren’t built for modern heating demands. Their brickwork absorbs moisture, liners crack from freeze-thaw cycles, and mortar joints erode faster than in newer construction. Generic chimney sweeps treat all flues the same, but historic masonry requires techniques that preserve the original structure while meeting today’s safety standards.
A neglected chimney in North Providence can lead to a $7,000+ chimney fire repair or a $12,000+ rebuild if water damage spreads to the masonry. Insurance companies in RI often deny claims for improper maintenance, leaving homeowners liable. Regular inspections catch issues early—before they become disasters that disrupt your life and drain your wallet.
Winter humidity from the Woonasquatucket River Valley and summer thunderstorms make older chimneys work harder. We tailor our services to these conditions, using moisture-resistant liners and breathable waterproofing to prevent brick spalling. Our crews also adjust for seasonal draft issues caused by nearby trees or the chimney’s exposure to prevailing winds.
Many chimney companies offer no warranty or a 1-year guarantee. We stand behind our work with a 10-year workmanship warranty because older homes deserve repairs that last. If a liner shifts or mortar fails within a decade, we’ll fix it at no cost—no fine print, no runaround.
Expert local advice for North Providence homeowners.
Learn how to inspect and repair your chimney liner in North Providence’s older homes. Avoid costly damage and fire risks with our local expert guide.
Read more →Learn why creosote buildup in North Providence chimneys is a silent fire hazard and how our masonry specialists remove it safely.
Read more →Learn the real costs, frequency, and steps for chimney sweeping in North Providence’s older homes. Avoid hidden damage and fire risks with expert tips.
Read more →Proudly serving North Providence and these nearby communities.
Schedule your inspection right after the last flue fire of winter—ideally by mid-March—before the spring rains start seeping into cracked masonry. Waiting until May risks missing the early signs of water damage that can turn a minor repair into a full rebuild by fall.
Absolutely. We check the chimney’s internal dimensions, liner condition, and draft performance to confirm it can handle a modern stove without overheating or leaking carbon monoxide. Many older stacks need a stainless-steel liner to meet today’s safety standards.
Those streaks are efflorescence—salt deposits left behind when water evaporates through the bricks. In North Providence’s freeze-thaw climate, it’s a sign your chimney’s crown or flashing is failing, letting moisture in that will eventually spall the bricks.
A Level 1 inspection is a visual check of accessible areas after a standard sweep, while a Level 2 includes a camera scan of the flue and attic crawl space. We recommend Level 2 for homes built before 1980 or if you’ve changed heating systems since moving in.
Look for cracks wider than a credit card or a crown that slopes toward the flue instead of away from it. If water pools on the crown after a rain, it’s already too late—repair it before winter or risk freeze damage expanding those cracks.
No. That persistent campfire odor usually means creosote is coating the flue walls or your liner has a pinhole leak letting smoke seep into the house. A thorough sweep and inspection will pinpoint the source.
Pine burns hot and fast, leaving behind thick creosote that coats your flue like tar. If you must burn pine, schedule a sweep every 50 fires or after the first heavy winter use to prevent buildup.
The first clue is usually a sulfur smell in the house or soot appearing on the hearth, even when the damper is closed. These are signs your liner is cracked or disconnected, letting combustion byproducts leak into your living space.
Fast response, upfront pricing, and workmanship guaranteed. Get your free estimate today.