FranklinChimney
Franklin Chimney serving Society Hill, Philadelphia
Open Now — Philly & Suburbs
$69 Inspection

Society Hill Chimney Sweep & Federal-Era Repair $69 Camera Inspection

CSIA-certified chimney sweeps for Society Hill, Old City, and Washington Square Federal-era brick rowhomes. HD camera footage, color-matched 1840s mortar, custom cap fabrication, written report on every visit.

4.9 from 237+ reviews Verified Reviews
CSIA Certified BBB A+ $2M Insured

A chimney sweep in Society Hill clears creosote, debris, and animal blockages from the flue, then verifies the liner and damper draft with HD camera footage. For the 1700s through 1840s brick rowhomes that fill the historic district, the $69 inspection includes a written report and a technician who knows how Federal-era brick and lime mortar behave.

Society Hill, Old City, and Washington Square West preserve some of the oldest residential architecture in the United States. Federal-style rowhomes built from the 1780s to 1830s line the streets with hand-fired brick, lime mortar, narrow flues sized for fireplaces and coal stoves of that era, and chimney openings that no modern off-the-shelf cap will fit. Greek Revival homes from the 1830s and 1840s add their own variations to the mix. The result is a neighborhood where standard chimney parts almost never apply.

The Philadelphia Register of Historic Places is an inventory of properties that have been designated as historic, maintained by the Philadelphia Historical Commission, and large stretches of Society Hill and Old City sit within designated historic districts. Repair work on those chimneys can require review by the Commission before exterior changes proceed. We document each repair before, during, and after with photos, match new mortar to the original both in color and in hardness, and fabricate custom caps when the original opening is non-standard. The reports go straight to homeowners, board reviewers, and insurance carriers as needed.

Pick a Time. We'll Be There.

$69 Level 2 Inspection
Confirmed in 15 min
Ratedby 237+ Philly homeowners

Choose your service, pick a time, and we’ll send you a confirmation within 15 minutes. No credit card required.

  • $69 Level 2 Inspection (reg. $199)
  • No hidden fees — price locked before work starts
  • Same-day & evening slots available
  • CSIA-certified & $2M insured
Takes 90 seconds — No obligationRatedby 237+ Philly homeowners
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July 2026
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Society Hill Reviews

What Society Hill Homeowners Say

4.9 from 237 reviews

I'd never seen inside my chimney before. Franklin's camera inspection showed me exactly what was going on, and the technician explained everything clearly. No pressure, just honest answers. Totally worth it.

Mike R.
South Philadelphia
5 days ago

Even after we'd cleaned out the firebox ourselves there was a stubborn smoky smell all summer. Franklin did a proper sweep and pulled out far more soot than I expected. The smell is completely gone. Sometimes you just need the pros.

D
Debbie M.
Society Hill, Philadelphia
5 weeks ago

Our 1790s building had never been waterproofed and the masonry was getting soft. Franklin treated the whole stack with a breathable sealant that won't trap moisture in the old brick. Respectful of the historic material and clearly explained why it mattered.

J
Jerry S.
Society Hill, Philadelphia
6 weeks ago

I noticed white powder on the bricks outside and crumbling mortar between them. Franklin came out and said I needed tuckpointing on about 15 rows. They matched the mortar color to my 1840s brick perfectly — my neighbor didn't even realize work had been done. That's craftsmanship.

Brenda K.
Brenda K.
Society Hill, Philadelphia
3 days ago

White powder on the bricks and crumbling mortar told me something was wrong. Franklin tuckpointed about a dozen rows and matched the mortar to my 1840s brick so well my neighbor didn't notice any work had been done. That's real craftsmanship.

W
Wendy N.
Society Hill, Philadelphia
4 days ago

Replaced our old throat damper with a top-sealing one and the difference on the heating bill was immediate. We were basically heating the outdoors before. The new damper seals with a gasket and opens by cable — simple and effective. Great install.

M
Marco T.
Society Hill, Philadelphia
2 weeks ago

We have a historic place in Old City and the original flue was failing. Franklin handled the reline carefully without disturbing the period masonry. New stainless liner, perfect draft, and they respected the character of the house. Couldn't be happier.

T
Tracy A.
Old City, Philadelphia
6 weeks ago

The terracotta liner was crumbling and pieces were dropping into the firebox. Franklin removed what was left and installed a full insulated stainless liner. The difference in how the fireplace draws is night and day. Thorough and tidy crew.

Y
Yvonne V.
Society Hill, Philadelphia
6 weeks ago

Our building is from 1795 and the chimney opening is an unusual rectangle. Two companies said they'd have to modify the masonry to fit a standard cap. Franklin measured it and had a custom cap fabricated in stainless steel. Fits perfectly, looks period-appropriate, and carries a lifetime warranty.

Deborah & Mike S.
Deborah & Mike S.
Washington Square, Philadelphia
2 weeks ago

We kept hearing scratching sounds in the chimney at night. Raccoons. Franklin installed a heavy-gauge stainless steel cap with mesh screening after the wildlife guy removed the family. Six months now and no more visitors. The cap keeps rain and debris out too — should've done this years ago.

Renee & Paul D.
Renee & Paul D.
Old City, Philadelphia
8 days ago

Needed an inspection certificate for our condo board before they'd let us use the fireplace. Franklin handled the whole thing, did the Level 2 camera work, and had the letter to the board the next morning. Made an annoying requirement completely painless.

L
Lori Z.
Society Hill, Philadelphia
6 weeks ago

Our 1700s building has an unusual rectangular opening that nobody wanted to deal with. Franklin measured it and had a custom stainless cap fabricated. Fits perfectly, looks right for the period, and carries a lifetime warranty. Exceptional.

M
Maureen H.
Old City, Philadelphia
4 weeks ago

Annual sweep for our 200-year-old fireplace. The crew was respectful of the old masonry, careful with the floors, and thorough with the cleaning. Before-and-after photos showed a huge difference. You can tell they take pride in the work.

J
Jen S.
Washington Square, Philadelphia
4 weeks ago

Our 1800s building has unusual masonry and two contractors wouldn't touch it. Franklin assessed it carefully, repaired the firebox mortar, and did a smoke test to confirm no leaks. Respectful of the historic details. Exactly who you want on an old house.

M
Miguel H.
Old City, Philadelphia
5 weeks ago

Buying a historic place in Old City and the chimney was original. Franklin's camera inspection found a separated joint that the home inspector completely missed. Gave us leverage to negotiate the repair into the deal. Worth every penny.

J
Jerry M.
Old City, Philadelphia
10 days ago

Our historic chimney was soaking up rain and the plaster inside was starting to bubble. Franklin waterproofed the masonry with a sealant safe for old brick. No more moisture coming through. Careful, knowledgeable, and respectful of the building's age.

S
Sue Z.
Washington Square, Philadelphia
2 weeks ago
Why It Matters Here

Built on standards Society Hill homeowners can verify

Society Hill and Old City contain large stretches of designated historic district where exterior chimney repairs may require Commission review. The official inventory and resources are at the City of Philadelphia's historic property registry.

Common chimney issues we see in Society Hill:
  • Crumbling 18th- and 19th-century mortar joints requiring color-matched repair
  • Non-standard chimney openings needing custom-fabricated caps
  • Philadelphia Historical Commission review for visible exterior repairs
Local Questions

Society Hill Chimney Sweep FAQs

Our standard inspection runs $69 with HD camera footage, a written report, and a CO draft test. A full sweep starts at $99. Federal-era mortar repair and custom cap fabrication are quoted in writing after the inspection, with the $69 fee credited toward whatever work is approved.

Visible exterior chimney work in designated historic districts can require review by the Philadelphia Historical Commission. We document every step with photos, use period-appropriate materials, and provide the paperwork the Commission expects. Interior flue work, liners, and routine cleaning typically do not need review and can be scheduled normally.

Once a year. The NFPA recommends an annual inspection for any chimney that vents an appliance or burns wood. For 18th- and 19th-century homes, the annual visit also catches mortar-joint failures before water enters the wall, which is the issue that turns a small repair into a major rebuild in this housing stock.

Yes. Federal-era and early-Victorian chimney openings rarely match modern off-the-shelf cap sizes. We measure on-site, fabricate a stainless-steel cap to the exact opening, and install it with a mesh spark guard. The custom cap fits flush against the original brick and includes a lifetime warranty on the steel.

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$2M Insured CSIA Certified 4.9★ (237 reviews)

Book a Chimney Sweep in Society Hill

$69 inspections, CSIA-certified technicians, price locked before any work starts. Same-day slots open most weeks.

Every repair carries a 10-year workmanship warranty. If you are not happy with the finished job, we make it right or you do not pay.

Book My $69 Society Hill Inspection Call (888) 250-8841

Last reviewed: May 2026

We Serve Every Philadelphia Neighborhood

Here are a few more areas we cover — wherever you are in Philadelphia, we’re there. Don’t see yours? Give us a call and we’ll confirm in seconds.

Center CitySouth PhiladelphiaFishtown & KensingtonChestnut HillManayunk & RoxboroughGermantown & Mt. Airy