Gas fireplace service
Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repairLevel 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.
Why Marietta Homeowners Choose DuraFlex Chimney Cleaning
Alcott Chimney Marietta provides independent DuraFlex in Marietta chimney cleaning, inspection, and liner service throughout Marietta, GA, and we’re not a factory-authorized shop. What we are is a crew that installs, opens, and pulls DuraFlex liner systems every week, which means we know how these liners actually behave after years of North Georgia burning seasons. Our DuraFlex work focuses on creosote removal, Level 2 inspection, and relining, always with a written price before we start and a written guarantee on any repair. Call (229) 350-8952 to book a DuraFlex service visit.
DuraFlex makes some of the most widely specified stainless steel chimney liners in the country. They’re in thousands of Marietta homes, from the 1920s bungalows off Whitlock Avenue to the 1970s ranches out toward East Cobb, and we also offer DuraFlex service in Roswell. What most homeowners don’t know is that liner performance varies by model and fuel type, and a liner that runs clean for a gas fireplace can load up fast on a wood stove. That’s the gap we fill. We service the full DuraFlex range: 316L flexible, AL 29-4C, Pro 316Ti rigid, and Hybrid combos.
Why Trust Alcott Chimney Marietta for Your DuraFlex Chimney Cleaning?
Ruben Castellano has spent more than a decade focused on chimney cleaning and inspection, and his crew has serviced hundreds of DuraFlex installations across Marietta, including a lot of older homes along the Kennesaw Avenue corridor where chimneys were relined years ago and now need careful, experienced attention. Tell me what you’re seeing and we’ll tell you exactly what it means, no guesswork, no upsell. That’s how Ruben runs every DuraFlex job.
Here’s what that looks like in practice. When we open a DuraFlex liner, we know what to look for before we ever run a brush: corrugation valleys packing creosote, top-plate gaps leaking rainwater, riveted seams starting to separate on older Pro rigid sections. A technician who only knows how to sweep a flue won’t catch a failing liner early. We do, because we see these systems weekly. Every tech who arrives at your door is background-checked and identity-verified under the Threshold Standard, and you’ll know their name and see their photo before they pull into the driveway.
We’re an independent DuraFlex service provider, not a manufacturer warranty center. That matters because we have no incentive to upsell you into a new liner when a cleaning and service will do. Our recommendation is based on what the camera and manometer show, not on a sales quota.
Styles & brands we work with
Common DuraFlex Chimney Cleaning Problems We Fix in Marietta
- 316L Flexible Liner: Creosote packing in the corrugation valleys. Even after a routine sweep, a 316L liner can show stage-two buildup within a season, especially in Marietta homes that burn unseasoned pine. The corrugated profile creates low spots where creosote flakes settle and harden during short cold snaps. We rod these liners with a poly brush sized to the corrugation pitch and then camera-verify the valleys are clear, because a standard wire brush can miss what’s packed into the grooves.
- AL 29-4C Liner: Pinhole corrosion at the appliance connector joint. The AL 29-4C alloy is designed for gas appliances, but sustained flue-gas temperatures above 480°F, common when an oversized gas log set dumps heat into a small-diameter liner, can cause pinholes right where the connector meets the liner. Homeowners often notice a sulfur smell near the fireplace before any visible damage appears. We inspect that joint with a camera on every AL 29-4C service.
- Pro 316Ti Rigid Liner: Riveted seam separation on older sections. Rigid sections installed 10 to 15 years ago can develop smoke leakage at the riveted seams, especially in Marietta’s humid climate where thermal expansion and contraction cycles stress the joints over time. The telltale sign is smoke staining on the interior wall near the chase. We identify leaking seams during a Level 2 inspection and replace just the affected sections when possible.
- Teardrop-shaped liner deformation near the top plate. Improper support during original installation is usually the culprit. The liner gets compressed or bent at the top, which later cracks the terra cotta flue tiles behind it and lets condensate drip into the chase. We see this most often in Marietta’s 1960s and 1970s ranch homes that were relined quickly with flexible liner and minimum attention to top-plate support.
- Rainwater intrusion at the top plate, even when the cap looks fine. A loose or corroded top plate lets rainwater run down the outside of the liner and into the chase. Homeowners see water stains on the ceiling near the fireplace. We pull the cap, reseal the top plate with fresh high-temperature silicone, and replace the cap if it’s warped.
DuraFlex Parts & Our Repair-vs-Replace Approach
For DuraFlex liners, we default to genuine OEM components: clamps, top plates, rain caps, and connector hardware. Aftermarket fittings rarely match the corrugation pitch on DuraFlex flexible liners, and a mismatched clamp creates a hot spot where creosote can collect and ignite. We keep common DuraFlex OEM fittings in local stock so a top-plate reseal or cap replacement usually happens in one visit.
When a liner shows deep pitting or seam separation, we tell homeowners the truth: a patch is a temporary fix. A full re-line is often cheaper than repeated mid-season breakdowns. We’ll show you the camera footage and walk you through the numbers before you decide. Call (229) 350-8952 and we’ll give you a written price for any DuraFlex repair, with no obligation.
Our DuraFlex Service Process – Step by Step
- 1
Diagnosis. We start with a visual inspection of the liner from the roof and the firebox, then run a camera down the full length. We’re looking for the specific DuraFlex failure modes: corrugation packing, pinholes at the connector joint, seam separation, top-plate gaps. Every diagnosis is documented with photos you can see.
- 2
Repair or cleaning. For a clean liner, we rod with a poly brush matched to your liner’s diameter and profile, then vacuum from the firebox. For a failing liner, we remove the damaged sections and replace with genuine DuraFlex OEM parts. We’ll explain every step before we start.
- 3
Test. After the service, we verify draft with a manometer and run the camera again to confirm the liner is clean and sound. If the draft doesn’t improve as expected, we figure out why before we leave.
- 4
Warranty. Every DuraFlex repair comes with a written guarantee. If it fails within the coverage period, the second visit is free. That’s our 365-Day Done Right Promise, and it’s not an upsell. It’s how we’ve done business since 2002.
See the difference
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After
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After
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AfterDuraFlex Products We Service & Install in Marietta
We service and install the full DuraFlex liner range: the 316L Flexible Chimney Liner for wood-burning applications, the AL 29-4C Flexible Liner for gas, the Pro 316Ti Rigid Liner for high-efficiency wood stoves and inserts, and the Hybrid 316L/AL29-4C Combo Liner for mixed-fuel setups. We also handle DuraFlex top plates, rain caps, and connector hardware. Whatever DuraFlex system is in your Marietta home, we’ve likely worked on it, and we also handle DuraFlex in Douglasville.
We Also Service These Brands
While DuraFlex is a major part of our liner work, we’re not a single-brand shop. We also install and service HeatShield resurfacing systems and Gelco liner components, along with Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield products. That multi-brand experience means we recommend the right material for your specific chimney and fuel type, not the one we happen to stock.
FAQs – DuraFlex Chimney Cleaning Service in Marietta
No. We’re an independent DuraFlex service provider in Marietta. We install, clean, and repair DuraFlex liner systems every week, but we have no factory affiliation or authorization. We think that’s an advantage for you: our recommendations come from field experience and camera evidence, not a manufacturer relationship.
Yes, for liners, clamps, top plates, and rain caps. We’ve found that aftermarket fittings rarely match DuraFlex’s corrugation pitch, which can create hot spots and uneven draft. Using genuine OEM parts keeps your liner performing the way it was designed, and it protects any manufacturer coverage that’s still in effect.
A standard DuraFlex cleaning and Level 1 inspection takes about 90 minutes for a single fireplace. A full Level 2 camera inspection with liner removal can run three to four hours, depending on what we find. We’ll give you a time window when you book, and we call before we arrive so you know exactly who’s coming.
We service the DuraFlex 316L Flexible Chimney Liner, AL 29-4C Flexible Chimney Liner, Pro 316Ti Rigid Chimney Liner, and Hybrid 316L/AL29-4C Combo Liner, plus related top plates, caps, and connectors. If your home has a DuraFlex liner installed in the last 20 years, we can service it. Call (229) 350-8952 with your liner’s model number if you’re not sure what you have.
No. Cleaning and inspecting a DuraFlex liner with proper brushes and techniques does not void any warranty. If a repair is needed, we use genuine OEM parts and document the work. That preserves your coverage. What voids warranties is improper installation or neglect. Our Level 2 inspection documents your liner’s condition so you have a record if a warranty claim ever comes up.
A standard DuraFlex chimney cleaning in Marietta typically runs $189 to $289 for a single fireplace, depending on liner height and creosote stage. A Level 2 camera inspection adds $150 to $250. If we find liner damage, a top-plate reseal or cap replacement usually runs $150 to $400, while a full re-line with a new DuraFlex liner typically lands between $2,800 and $5,500 for a standard two-story chimney. Every price is written before we start, so there are no surprise charges. Call (229) 350-8952 for an exact quote.
Because the corrugated valleys in a 316L flexible liner are natural catch points for creosote flakes, and a standard wire brush often skips over them. The bottom section runs coolest in a Marietta chimney, so creosote condenses there first and hardens during our short cold snaps. We use a poly brush sized to the corrugation pitch and then camera-verify the valleys are clear. Call (229) 350-8952 and we’ll check yours.
Only gas. The AL 29-4C alloy is specified for gas appliances and is not rated for wood-burning temperatures. Pushing a wood insert through an AL 29-4C liner can cause pinhole corrosion and liner failure. If you’re converting a gas fireplace to wood, call (229) 350-8952 and we’ll inspect the liner and tell you if a 316L or Pro 316Ti replacement is needed.
Loose or separated riveted seams on older Pro 316Ti rigid sections. Wind pressure flexes the liner, and the seams pop in and out, creating that metallic rattle or oil-canning sound. It’s not just annoying; it means smoke can leak into the chase. We locate the loose sections with a camera and replace just the affected parts.
Usually yes, and that’s one reason liners are installed in the first place. The stainless liner carries the flue gases, so cracked terra cotta behind it isn’t an immediate hazard. The issue is when the liner itself has gaps or separation at the top plate, letting condensate and creosote reach the old tiles. We check both during a Level 2 inspection and tell you what actually needs attention.
Because the top plate, not the cap, is usually the leak source. A loose top plate lets wind-driven rain run down the outside of the liner and into the chase, but it only leaks when the rain is heavy enough to overcome the gap. We pull the cap, reseal the top plate, and replace the cap if it’s warped. Call (229) 350-8952 and we’ll find the exact leak point.
Book Your DuraFlex Service in Marietta, GA
If your DuraFlex liner is overdue for a Chimney Sweep or you’re seeing signs of trouble, call Alcott Chimney Marietta at (229) 350-8952. We’ll schedule your service, send the technician’s name and photo before we arrive, and give you a written price before any work starts.
Written by Ruben Castellano, Owner at Alcott Chimney Marietta, serving Marietta since 2002.