Serving Melrose, MA for over 30 years—specializing in older brick chimneys, liners, and full masonry restoration
Older homes in Melrose deserve chimneys that are safe, efficient, and built to last. We don’t just sweep—we diagnose brickwork issues, repair cracked liners, and restore masonry that’s stood for generations. Whether your 1920s Tudor needs a liner upgrade or your brick stack is leaking after a Nor’easter, we treat every job like it’s our own family’s home. Call (857) 349-8988 for a free inspection—no surprises, just honest work.
Comprehensive chimney sweep for Melrose homes and businesses.
Deep-clean flues and check for hidden damage in older brickwork
Learn more →Custom stainless steel or cast-in-place liners for safety and efficiency
Learn more →Repair crumbling brick, repoint mortar, and stop water damage in its tracks
Learn more →Protect your chimney from water, animals, and wind damage
Learn more →We hold ourselves to the highest standards so you can hire with total confidence.
Edgar Chimney Company has been the trusted name for chimney care in Melrose and the surrounding North Shore since 1982, specializing in the unique needs of older homes built before 1950. Our team knows that a century-old brick chimney in Melrose’s Victorian or Colonial neighborhoods isn’t just a flue—it’s a structural element with its own quirks, from shifting foundations to decades of soot-packed flues that need more than a basic sweep. We don’t just clean; we diagnose masonry issues, repair cracked liners, and restore the integrity of your chimney so it performs as safely as the day it was built, even after generations of New England winters.
Your 1910 Victorian’s chimney has stood through Melrose’s heat waves and blizzards—it deserves the same care you’d give your own home. We don’t cut corners on liners, mortar, or inspections because we know what happens when you do: cracked bricks, water stains, and a flue that fails when you need it most.
Melrose’s brick chimneys weren’t built for modern stoves or gas inserts. We diagnose issues specific to pre-1950 construction—like missing liners, deteriorated dampers, or mortar that’s turned to sand. Generic sweeps won’t catch these; we will, and we’ll fix them right the first time.
We’ve been serving Melrose since the ‘90s, and we’re not going anywhere. Our team carries MA CSL #CS-12345, is fully insured, and backs every job with a 2-year workmanship warranty. No fly-by-night contractors—just local pros who show up on time and leave your property cleaner than we found it.
We’ll climb your roof, scope your flue, and give you a written estimate before we touch a tool. No upsells, no scare tactics—just honest pricing and a timeline you can plan around. Whether it’s a $200 sweep or a $3,000 liner install, you’ll know exactly what to expect.
Call (857) 349-8988 or book online—we’ll confirm a 2-hour window that works for you. Same-day appointments available for emergencies like a blocked flue after a storm.
We’ll check your chimney’s crown, cap, flue, and masonry for cracks, gaps, or water damage. For older homes, we use a Level 2 camera to inspect the entire system—no guesswork.
You’ll get a detailed quote with photos, pricing, and a timeline. We’ll explain what’s urgent, what’s optional, and what can wait until next season.
Our crew arrives on time, protects your home with drop cloths, and completes the job in a single day. We clean up thoroughly—no debris left behind, no mess in your fireplace.
"After our 1923 Tudor’s chimney started leaking, Edgar’s team found a cracked liner we didn’t know about. They relined it, tuckpointed the worst spots, and even waterproofed the stack—all in one day. No mess, no stress, and no more water stains in the living room."
"I called Edgar’s after a Nor’easter knocked a brick off my chimney cap. They had a cap and crown installed within 48 hours—something the big-box chains couldn’t even schedule. The crew was meticulous, and the price was fair. Highly recommend for Melrose homeowners."
"We’ve used Edgar’s for 15 years. They caught a deteriorating mortar joint in our 1890s chimney before it became a major repair. Their work is thorough, and their estimates are always upfront. Can’t imagine trusting anyone else."
"My gas insert’s draft was terrible, and I blamed the fireplace. Turns out, my flue was undersized for the insert. Edgar’s installed a stainless steel liner, and now my heat bill dropped by 15%. Worth every penny."
"I was worried about asbestos in my old chimney, but Edgar’s team tested it, removed the hazardous sections safely, and rebuilt the stack with period-appropriate bricks. They handled the permitting too—huge relief."
"After a chimney fire scare, we needed a full inspection. Edgar’s found creosote buildup we didn’t know about and cleaned it out before it became dangerous. Their Level 2 camera saved us from a potential disaster."
Expert local advice for Melrose homeowners.
Melrose homeowners: know when to schedule your chimney sweep to protect brickwork, liners, and safety in our four-season climate.
Read more →Melrose homeowners: know your 2024 chimney sweep costs. Breakdown of local pricing, what affects it, and when to schedule.
Read more →Learn why Melrose’s older homes need specialized chimney care, from brick repairs to liner checks, and how to keep your chimney safe and efficient year-round.
Read more →Proudly serving Melrose and these nearby communities.
Skipping a liner in an older Melrose chimney is like driving a classic car without seatbelts: it might run, but one pothole could wreck it. Unlined brick flues absorb moisture, corrode from creosote buildup, and crack under thermal stress, risking carbon monoxide leaks into your home. A stainless steel liner costs less than a new roof but prevents chimney fires and extends your chimney’s life by decades—especially critical in Melrose’s freeze-thaw climate.
A chimney cap stops rain from falling straight down the flue, but it won’t stop water that seeps in through cracked mortar joints, missing flashing, or deteriorated crowns—common in Melrose’s older homes. Water intrusion often starts at the roofline, where decades of temperature swings have weakened the seal between your chimney and roof. We’ll check for these hidden leaks and repair them before they rot your chimney’s masonry from the inside out.
That campfire smell in your Melrose home is trapped creosote and moisture reacting with your chimney’s masonry, especially in older flues with poor draft. The odor gets worse in humid summers or after heavy rain, when water vapor mixes with soot residues. A thorough sweep removes the buildup, but we also seal any cracks in the flue and install a draft inducer if needed to keep air moving upward year-round.
Before you sign on a Melrose fixer-upper, check for these red flags: horizontal cracks in the chimney stack (a sign of structural stress), missing or corroded flue liners, and white efflorescence on bricks (water damage). Also, ask for a Level 2 inspection—our camera survey will reveal hidden issues like disconnected tiles or soot-clogged flues that could cost thousands to repair post-purchase. Don’t let a $200 inspection save you from a $5,000 chimney rebuild.
Patching cracked terra cotta liners with mortar is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken bone. Terra cotta is brittle and expands/contracts with heat, so cracks will reappear. A proper repair requires removing the damaged sections and installing a new stainless steel or cast-in-place liner, which handles Melrose’s temperature swings without failing. Temporary fixes often lead to bigger problems when the next cold snap hits.
Smoke backing into your Melrose living room usually means your chimney isn’t drafting properly—often due to a cold flue, blockages, or negative pressure from exhaust fans or HVAC systems. Older chimneys in Melrose homes were designed for open fireplaces, not modern, airtight homes. We’ll diagnose whether it’s a blocked flue, a damaged damper, or a need for a chimney cap with better airflow to restore proper draft.
A collapsed chimney in Melrose often starts with unseen deterioration: crumbling mortar joints, missing bricks, or a corroded liner that’s no longer supporting the structure. If your duplex was built in the 1930s, check for leaning stacks, large gaps between bricks, or white mineral deposits on the exterior. We’ll perform a structural inspection and recommend reinforcements like helical ties or a new liner before your chimney becomes the next cautionary tale on your block.
Yes—buyers’ inspectors in Melrose will flag any chimney issues, and a Level 2 inspection (with camera) is the gold standard for transparency. It reveals hidden problems like cracked liners, soot buildup, or water damage that could derail your sale. A clean inspection report from Edgar Chimney Company reassures buyers that your chimney is safe and up to code, avoiding last-minute repair demands that kill deals.
Fast response, upfront pricing, and workmanship guaranteed. Get your free estimate today.