Franklin Chimney Reviews

Mike R.

South Philadelphia

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.

Marie G.

Media, PA

A tree branch fell on the chimney during a storm. Cracked the crown and knocked the cap off entirely. Franklin came out the next day, assessed the damage, and had everything repaired and sealed within the week. Insurance adjuster was impressed with their documentation too.

Priya N.

Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia

Just moved from an apartment and this is my first home with a fireplace. Had no idea you're supposed to get it cleaned before using it. Franklin walked me through the whole process — what creosote is, why it's dangerous, how often to clean. Patient and educational. 10/10.

Sam & Lisa K.

Wayne, PA

Our chimney was visibly leaning about two inches. Every mason we called said tear it down and rebuild. Franklin came out, assessed the foundation, and was able to stabilize it with steel bracing and repoint the affected area. Saved us thousands compared to a full rebuild.

Steve & Karen M.

Cheltenham, PA

Needed a chimney certification letter for our condo association before we could use the fireplace. Franklin did the full Level 2 inspection with camera and had the letter emailed to our HOA the next morning. Smooth process.

Martin R.

Lansdale, PA

Wind would blow down the chimney and push smoke back into the house every time we had a fire. Franklin installed a wind-directional cap that solved the problem completely. No more smoke alarms going off when the wind picks up. Game changer.

Efflorescence and soft mortar on the lower courses near the roofline. They repointed the damaged joints, sealed the transition, and waterproofed the stack. Problem solved and they explained every step so I understood what I was paying for.

Dan M.

Conshohocken, PA

Even after cleaning the fireplace out ourselves, there was still a smoky smell all summer. Franklin did a full sweep and pulled out way more soot than I expected. The smell is completely gone now. Sometimes you just need the pros.

Every spring birds nested in our flue and we'd hear chirping for weeks. Cute until you realize what it does to the chimney. Franklin installed a cap with proper mesh and it's been silent since — it also stopped the downdrafts we used to get.

Tom C.

Northern Liberties, Philadelphia

I'm a realtor and I send every buyer to Franklin Chimney before closing. They've saved three of my clients from nasty surprises this year alone. Reports are professional, turnaround is fast, and they don't upsell people into work they don't need. That last part matters.

Our damper was rusted open and we could feel the draft from across the room. Franklin replaced it with a top-sealing damper that closes tight. The house holds heat so much better now and the install only took a couple hours. Highly recommend.

Old liner was shot and the draft had gotten weak and smoky. Franklin installed a new insulated stainless liner and now the fire roars to life the second I light it. No more smoke in the room. Clean install, fair price, no upsell.

Keith B.

Holmesburg, Philadelphia

Converted from wood to gas logs and learned the hard way that the old clay liner doesn't work for gas appliances. Franklin installed the proper aluminum liner with a connector kit. Passed code inspection on the first visit. Should've done the conversion right from the start.

A tree limb came down in a storm and cracked the crown and knocked the cap off. Franklin was out the next day, repaired and sealed everything within the week, and their photo documentation impressed even the insurance adjuster. Lifesavers.

Our oversized flue was causing condensation and corrosion on the furnace side. Franklin downsized it with a properly matched stainless liner. Condensation gone and the furnace runs more efficiently now. They really understood the science behind it.

Donna & Frank P.

Bala Cynwyd, PA

We kept smelling something musty near the fireplace. Turns out the damper was rusted shut and moisture had been sitting in the firebox for who knows how long. They replaced the damper, cleaned out the rust and mold, and treated the interior. No more smell. Should've called sooner.

Top few feet of my chimney was crumbling and looked ready to fall. Franklin took it down to the roofline and rebuilt it brick by brick, matching the color and pattern perfectly. You honestly can't tell which part is new. Incredible work.

Pauline T.

Swarthmore, PA

I'm 78 and live alone. I wanted to make sure the chimney was safe before winter. The young man who came was patient, respectful, and showed me the photos on his phone. Everything was fine — he said so honestly and didn't try to sell me anything. That meant a lot.

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.

After a bad storm the mortar started crumbling and a few bricks worked loose. Franklin matched the lime mortar to our 1900s home and repointed the affected area. Color match is flawless and the documentation was great for my insurance claim.

Rashid A.

Kensington, Philadelphia

First house, first chimney, zero clue what I was looking at. The tech explained everything without making me feel dumb. Turns out the flue was in decent shape but the cap was missing entirely — birds had been getting in for years. Glad I got it checked before lighting anything.

Annual inspection done right. They keep notes from last year so they could tell me the mortar joint they flagged in 2024 hadn't gotten any worse. That kind of record-keeping is rare. $129 and I have total peace of mind heading into winter.

Jamal & Keisha W.

Strawberry Mansion, Philadelphia

Woke up to our CO detector going off at 3 AM. Fire department came, said the chimney was the likely source. Franklin was there first thing Monday morning — the old liner had a gap that was leaking exhaust into the wall cavity. New stainless liner installed by end of day. Scary situation but they handled it fast.

Set up the inspection online in about two minutes and they came the very next day. The tech was friendly and clearly knew his stuff. Everything checked out fine and he told me so honestly instead of inventing problems. That builds trust.

Pre-season cleaning before the holidays. In and out in under an hour, no mess, no surprise charges. Exactly what you want from a service call. The tech even showed me how to work the damper properly. Already on the calendar for next year.

Frank V.

Fox Chase, Philadelphia

There was a weird smell coming from the fireplace we couldn't figure out. Turned out a bunch of wet leaves and some animal debris had piled up on the smoke shelf. They cleaned it all out during the inspection. $129 well spent — the smell was gone by that evening.

Birds had been nesting in the chimney and there was debris everywhere. Franklin cleaned it all out, sanitized the flue, and suggested a cap to keep them out for good. The whole house smells fresher now. Wish I hadn't waited so long.

Converted to gas logs and the installer told me the old clay liner wasn't safe for it. Franklin ran the correct aluminum liner with a connector kit and it passed inspection first try. Should've had it done right from the start. Great work.

George H.

Havertown, PA

After the freeze-thaw cycle last winter I had mortar crumbling off my chimney in chunks. They explained how water gets in the pores, freezes, and blows the mortar apart over time. Repointed the damaged joints and waterproofed the whole thing. Said it should hold 8-10 years now.

Booked a cleaning and they credited the $129 inspection fee toward it, which I didn't expect. Tarps everywhere, vacuum running the whole time, zero dust in my living room afterward. Honest pricing and genuinely tidy work. Will rebook.

Patrick O.

Wyndmoor, PA

The old liner was oversized for our furnace — causing condensation and corrosion. Franklin downsized the flue with a properly matched stainless liner. The condensation problem is gone and our furnace runs more efficiently. They really understood the science behind it.

Water was running down the inside of the chimney and staining my floors. The flashing had pulled away over the years. Franklin replaced all the step and counter flashing. Bone dry through three storms since. Fair price and clean work.

First winter in our new place and I wanted to be sure the chimney was safe. The inspector explained what a Level 2 inspection covers, ran the camera, and emailed me the report that afternoon. Professional from start to finish. Booking the cleaning next.

Susan & Bill R.

Ardmore, PA

Failed our home sale inspection because of a deteriorated liner. Called Franklin in a panic because we had a 10-day window to get it fixed before closing. They got us on the schedule in three days, installed a new stainless liner, and we had the reinspection certificate in hand by day eight. Saved our sale.

Spalling bricks were flaking off the upper third of the stack. Franklin replaced about 35 bricks, repointed the rest, and sealed it. Looks brand new from the street and they hauled away every bit of old material the same day. Top-notch.

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.

Brenda K.

Society Hill, Philadelphia

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.

Crack in the firebox I'd been ignoring finally got my attention when I saw discoloration on the wall behind it. Franklin repaired the mortar, sealed everything, and smoke-tested it to verify no leaks. Peace of mind is honestly priceless.

Alice & Tom W.

Glenside, PA

Step flashing was failing where the chimney meets our roof addition from the 80s. Water was getting into the attic. Franklin coordinated with our roofer, replaced the flashing correctly, and sealed the chimney side. No more bucket in the attic during rainstorms.

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.

My chimney was leaning a couple inches and every mason said tear it down. Franklin assessed the foundation, stabilized it with steel bracing, and repointed the affected area. Saved me thousands over a full rebuild. Smart, honest, skilled.

Anita G.

Wynnefield, Philadelphia

Squirrels kept getting into the chimney and once one got into the house. That was enough. Franklin installed a heavy-duty cap with a spark arrestor screen. It's been over a year — no more wildlife, no more rain getting in, no more worrying about it.

Called for a second opinion after another company quoted me $4,000 in 'urgent' repairs. Franklin did the camera inspection, showed me the actual footage, and said most of what the other guy flagged was cosmetic. Saved me thousands. These are the honest ones.

Stephanie B.

Drexel Hill, PA

White streaks running down my chimney for years. Turns out that's called efflorescence and it means water is pulling minerals through the brick. Franklin cleaned the staining, repaired a few soft spots, and sealed everything. Chimney actually looks better now than when we bought the house.

Stage two creosote — that's what they found. I wasn't surprised given how much I burn. They did a thorough sweep and recommended I switch to seasoned hardwood. No mess left behind, no upsell, just good honest work. Already booked next October.

Step flashing where the chimney meets the roof had failed and water was getting into the attic. They coordinated with my roofer, replaced the flashing correctly, and sealed the chimney side. No more bucket in the attic during storms.

Janet H.

Germantown, Philadelphia

After the nor'easter knocked some bricks loose, I expected to wait weeks for a mason. They were out in two days, matched the existing mortar color perfectly, and even sealed the crown while they were up there. Top-notch craftsmanship.

The tech caught a bird's nest packed deep in the flue that I never would have spotted. Showed it to me on the camera, removed it during the visit, and confirmed everything else was clear. For $129 the value is honestly hard to beat.

Dampness kept showing up on the interior wall behind the chimney after heavy rain. Franklin tested the masonry with a moisture meter, confirmed it was soaking up water, and applied a breathable sealant. Three storms since and completely dry inside.

Felicia J.

Torresdale, Philadelphia

Every spring, birds would nest in our chimney and we'd hear chirping for weeks. Kind of cute until you realize what it does to your flue. Franklin installed a cap with proper mesh and it's been silent ever since. The cap also stopped the downdrafts we were getting on windy days.

Failed our home sale inspection over a deteriorated liner with only a 10-day window before closing. Franklin got us scheduled in three days, installed a new stainless liner, and we had the reinspection certificate by day eight. They saved our sale.

Angela S.

Queen Village, Philadelphia

Quick, clean, professional. They laid down drop cloths, sealed the fireplace opening, and vacuumed everything from the roof down. My living room was cleaner when they left than when they arrived. In and out in about 90 minutes.

Our 1950s clay liner had cracks and a separated joint. They installed a stainless steel liner with insulation wrap in about six hours. It's like having a brand new chimney — the draft is incredible now. Walked me through the warranty before leaving.

Water was pooling where the chimney meets the roof and the bottom courses were turning to sand. They repointed the damaged area, sealed the transition, and waterproofed the entire stack. Problem completely solved. Fair price and thorough work.

Robert E.

Spruce Hill, Philadelphia

Had a wood stove insert put in and needed a properly sized liner to go with it. Franklin ran the stainless liner, insulated it, and connected it to the stove. The efficiency improvement was noticeable on the first cold night. Our heating bill actually went down.

Our home inspector waved off the chimney during closing, so we called Franklin to be sure. The camera revealed a cracked flue tile two stories up that the naked eye would never catch. That crack could've vented CO into the house. Cannot recommend enough.

Pete R.

Bridesburg, Philadelphia

Smoke chamber was parging badly — chunks of morite falling into the firebox. They resurfaced the entire chamber with HeatShield. Fireplace draws better now than it ever has. Messy job but they left my living room spotless.

Squirrels kept getting into the chimney and one made it into the house. That was the last straw. Franklin installed a heavy-duty cap with a spark arrestor screen. Over a year now — no wildlife, no rain getting in, no more worrying about it.

We needed a cap and a new damper for our suburban home and Franklin handled both in one trip. Custom-fit cap, top-sealing damper, and a clear explanation of how each one helps. Heating bill is already down. Couldn't have asked for better service.

Hector & Rosa L.

Passyunk, Philadelphia

We have an oil furnace and the flue needed cleaning. Most chimney companies only want to deal with fireplaces. Franklin handled the oil flue no problem — cleaned the connector pipe, the flue liner, and checked the draft. Oil heat customers, these are your people.

We have a historic stone house with an oddly shaped chimney opening and two companies said a standard cap wouldn't fit. Franklin fabricated a custom stainless cap that fits perfectly and looks period-appropriate. Worth the wait for custom work.

Rain had been getting into the flue and rusting the damper. Franklin installed a new stainless cap and replaced the damper in the same visit. No more water intrusion and the fireplace seals properly now. Efficient crew, fair price, clean work.

Catherine F.

Jenkintown, PA

We have a historic stone house with an unusual chimney opening. Two other companies told us they couldn't fit a standard cap. Franklin fabricated a custom stainless steel cap that matched the dimensions exactly. Looks great and keeps the rain out. Worth the wait for the custom work.

I burn three or four times a week all winter, so buildup is a real concern. Franklin did a full sweep, measured the creosote, and confirmed I was right at the threshold. Glad I called when I did. Clean, fast, and genuinely friendly.

Tyrone M.

Olney, Philadelphia

Cold air was literally pouring in through the fireplace even with the damper closed. Turns out the cast iron damper had warped from years of heat and wouldn't seal anymore. They installed a top-mount damper with a rubber gasket. I noticed the difference on my heating bill within a month.

Switched from a wood fireplace to a gas insert and learned the old clay liner won't work for gas. Franklin sized and installed the proper aluminum liner, connected everything, and it passed code on the first inspection. Clean, correct work.

The inspection turned up three cracks and a bad joint halfway up the flue. Instead of patching an old liner forever, we relined with stainless. Done in a single day and the technician explained the lifetime warranty paperwork in detail. Very thorough.

Margaret T.

Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia

They showed me video footage from inside my chimney — I could see the cracks they were talking about. No pressure, just facts. The repair was done in one day and they cleaned up everything. First contractor I've ever tipped.

Annual inspection showed our clay liner was finally giving out after 60 years. Franklin relined it with insulated stainless in one day. The improvement in draft was instant and the install was spotless. They clearly take pride in doing it right.

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.

Terrence W.

Roxborough, Philadelphia

Had three companies quote me for a chimney cap replacement. These guys were the only ones who actually got on the roof to measure before quoting. Price was fair, install was clean, and they sent before-and-after photos when it was done.

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.

Ruth P.

Springfield, PA

Our chimney faces north and takes a beating every winter. After seeing what freeze-thaw did to my neighbor's chimney — $9,000 in repairs — I decided to be proactive. Franklin waterproofed mine for a fraction of that. Five-year warranty. Money well spent.

White streaks running down the chimney for years turned out to be efflorescence — water pulling minerals through the brick. Franklin cleaned the staining, fixed a few soft spots, and sealed everything. The chimney looks better now than when we bought the house.

Bought a place in the suburbs with visible water staining on the chimney. Franklin cleaned it up, repaired the soft spots, and waterproofed the stack. Looks great and the interior wall has stayed dry through a wet spring. Excellent value.

Jim & Carol B.

Devon, PA

Constant downdraft was ruining our ability to enjoy the fireplace. The flue was fine — it was just the wind patterns around our roofline. Franklin installed a taller cap with a wind guard designed for our specific situation. We've had a fire going every weekend this winter with zero blowback.

Wind kept blowing down the chimney and pushing smoke back into the house. Franklin installed a wind-directional cap that solved it completely. No more smoke alarms going off when it's gusty outside. Total game changer for actually using the fireplace.

Darnell P.

Logan, Philadelphia

Crack in the firebox that I kept ignoring. Finally got it looked at when I noticed some discoloration on the wall behind it. They repaired the firebox mortar, sealed everything, and did a smoke test to verify no leaks. Peace of mind is priceless honestly.

Hadn't had the chimney cleaned in years and finally bit the bullet. They didn't lecture me, just got it done and showed me the buildup they pulled out. Quick, clean, professional. The whole thing took about 90 minutes start to finish.

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.

Patricia D.

East Falls, Philadelphia

Bought a 100-year-old stone house and needed the chimney checked before our first winter here. The tech walked me through everything on his tablet — showed me exactly where the mortar was crumbling inside the flue. Got a written report same day. For $129 this was a no-brainer.

Buyer's inspector flagged our liner during the sale and I called three companies. Franklin was the only one who could turn it around in under two weeks. New liner in, reinspection passed, closing went through on time. Absolute lifesaver.

We host every holiday and the fireplace is the centerpiece, so I keep it clean. Franklin's sweep was fast and immaculate — they sealed the opening, worked from the roof, and left no trace. The fire's been drawing perfectly all season.

Victor S.

Cobbs Creek, Philadelphia

Top three feet of my chimney was shot — crumbling bricks, missing mortar, the whole thing looked ready to fall. Franklin took it down to the roofline and rebuilt it brick by brick. Matched the existing brick color and pattern. You can't even tell it's new work.

We just bought a rowhome and the chimney was a complete mystery to us. Franklin came out, did the full camera inspection, and walked us through every photo on the tablet. Turned out it was in better shape than we feared. Honest assessment, no upsell. Will use them every year.

Omar D.

Cedar Park, Philadelphia

Had spalling bricks repaired on the chimney and Franklin recommended waterproofing as part of the project. Smart call — they said the new mortar needs protection just like the old stuff. One crew did both jobs in the same visit. Efficient and cost-effective.

Our chimney faces north and takes a beating every winter. After watching a neighbor pay $9,000 for freeze-thaw damage, I went proactive. Franklin waterproofed mine for a fraction of that, with a five-year warranty. Money very well spent.

Missing cap meant rain and leaves had been falling straight into the flue for who knows how long. Franklin installed a quality stainless cap with mesh and now the chimney stays clean and dry. Quick, fairly priced, and the tech was great.

Ray T.

Prospect Park, PA

Replaced our old throat damper with a top-sealing one. The difference in our heating bill was immediate — we were basically heating the neighborhood through the open chimney before. The new damper seals with a gasket and opens with a cable. Simple and effective.

Our oil furnace flue needed cleaning and most companies only want to deal with fireplaces. Franklin handled the oil flue no problem — cleaned the connector pipe, the liner, and checked the draft. Oil heat customers, these are your people.

Gloria R.

Bella Vista, Philadelphia

Annual inspection — they do mine every October. This year they caught a failing mortar joint I never would've noticed from the ground. Fixed it on the spot for under $200. That's exactly why I keep coming back.

Damp musty smell in the family room after every rain — we blamed the basement for years. It was moisture coming through the chimney masonry above. Franklin waterproofed the exterior and the smell is gone. Should've looked up sooner, literally.

Pre-winter cleaning and the crew was excellent. Drop cloths down, opening sealed, vacuum running — my floors were cleaner after they left than before. Showed me the creosote they removed. This is how every service call should go.

Deborah & Mike S.

Washington Square, Philadelphia

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.

We're flipping a property and needed the chimney report fast for the buyer's lender. Franklin turned around a full Level 2 inspection and written report in 48 hours. Professional enough to satisfy the underwriter. They'll get every one of our projects.

Constant downdraft made the fireplace unusable — the flue was fine, it was the wind patterns around our roofline. Franklin installed a taller cap with a wind guard designed for our setup. We've had a fire every weekend this winter with zero blowback.

Chris & Amy H.

Powelton Village, Philadelphia

We were getting dampness on the interior wall behind the chimney, especially after heavy rain. Franklin tested the masonry with a moisture meter, confirmed it was absorbing water like a sponge, and applied their breathable sealant. Three nor'easters since then — completely dry inside.

Honest, fast, and respectful of my time. The technician put down a mat, ran the inspection, showed me the footage, and was gone in under an hour. No surprise fees, no hard sell. Already recommended them to two neighbors.

Jason T.

Brewerytown, Philadelphia

Had some serious spalling on the upper third of my chimney — bricks were literally flaking apart. Franklin replaced about 40 bricks, repointed the rest, and applied a water sealant. Chimney looks brand new from the street. They even hauled away all the old material same day.

Camera inspection found multiple cracks in our original clay liner. Rather than keep patching, we went with a full stainless reline. Franklin installed it in one day and the draft improvement was immediate — we actually had to dial the damper back.

Scratching sounds in the chimney at night turned out to be raccoons. After the wildlife guy removed them, Franklin installed a heavy-gauge stainless cap with mesh. Six months and no visitors. The cap keeps rain and debris out too. Should've done it sooner.

Joanne M.

Upper Darby, PA

We were trying to sell and the buyer's inspector flagged the liner. I called three companies — Franklin was the only one who could get it done in under two weeks. New stainless liner installed, inspection passed, closing went through on time. Lifesaver.

Brown stains kept spreading on my living room wall after every hard rain. Turned out water was wicking through the chimney masonry. Franklin applied a breathable sealant to the whole exterior. Several storms later and not a single new stain. Fixed for good.

Andre W.

East Oak Lane, Philadelphia

Switched from a wood fireplace to a gas insert and needed the flue relined to match the new appliance. Franklin sized everything correctly, ran the aluminum liner, and connected it all in one day. Inspector signed off on it first try. Clean work.

CO detector went off in the middle of the night. The old liner had a gap leaking exhaust into the wall cavity. Franklin was out first thing and had a new stainless liner installed by end of day. Scary situation handled fast and professionally.

Got the annual inspection done before the cold set in. They compared this year's camera footage to last year's notes and confirmed nothing had shifted. That continuity gives me real confidence. Same-day report, friendly tech, fair price.

Tamara & Greg N.

Ambler, PA

The old terracotta liner was crumbling — pieces were falling into the firebox when we opened the damper. Franklin removed what was left and installed a full stainless steel liner with insulation wrap. Like having a brand new chimney. The draft is incredible now.

Our newer home was never sealed by the builder and the mortar was already deteriorating. Franklin waterproofed it before any real damage set in. Preventive maintenance is so much cheaper than emergency repairs — learned that the easy way for once.

Birds and debris kept getting in and we were tired of cleaning it out. Franklin installed a heavy-gauge cap with screening and it's kept everything out for over a year now. Also cut down the downdrafts on windy days. Simple fix, big improvement.

Linda F.

Center City, Philadelphia

I'm a property manager with 14 units and these guys handle all my chimney maintenance. They're always on time, send invoices promptly, and their annual inspection reports are detailed enough to keep my insurance company happy. A+ operation.

Years of water damage had the mortar crumbling on the weather side. Franklin repointed it and applied a breathable waterproof coating to the whole chimney. They walked me through the warranty and the work has held up beautifully through a rough winter.

Theresa M.

Somerton, Philadelphia

Damp musty smell in the family room every time it rained. We thought it was the basement. Turns out moisture was coming through the chimney masonry above. Franklin waterproofed the exterior and the smell is gone. Should've looked up sooner — literally.

Property manager here — Franklin handles repairs across several of my buildings. Last job was a cracked crown and some tuckpointing on a Center City rowhome. Fast, well documented, fairly priced, and the tenants didn't complain once. A+ outfit.

Our furnace flue liner had corroded badly. Franklin sized and installed a new stainless liner matched to the appliance, and the draft test afterward was perfect. They explained everything clearly and the price never moved from the quote. Trustworthy.

Sandra K.

Abington, PA

Camera inspection found three cracks and a separated joint about halfway up the flue. Rather than keep patching an old liner, we went with a full reline. They installed it in one day, and the technician walked me through the warranty paperwork before he left. Very thorough.

After last winter's freeze-thaw, mortar was crumbling off the chimney in chunks. They explained how water gets into the pores, freezes, and blows the mortar apart. Repointed the damage and waterproofed the whole thing. Said it should hold 8–10 years.

The chimney crown was cracked and water was leaking in every storm — I had ceiling stains for months before figuring out the source. They rebuilt the crown completely and sealed it. Two heavy rains since and bone dry inside. Huge relief.

Renee & Paul D.

Old City, Philadelphia

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.

Cold air poured in through the fireplace even with the damper closed — the old cast iron one had warped and wouldn't seal. Franklin installed a top-mount damper with a rubber gasket and I noticed the difference on my heating bill within a month.

Nancy G.

Elkins Park, PA

Our clay liner was original to the house — 1952. The inspection showed multiple cracks and a gap at one of the joints. They installed a stainless steel liner in about six hours. The draft improvement was immediate. We actually had to dial back the damper because the fireplace was pulling so much harder.

Musty smell near the fireplace turned out to be a damper rusted shut with moisture trapped in the firebox. Franklin replaced the damper, cleaned out the rust and mold, and treated the interior. Smell gone. Should've called them sooner.

Smoke chamber was parging badly with chunks dropping into the firebox. They resurfaced the whole chamber with HeatShield and now it draws better than ever. Messy job but they left my living room spotless. Knew exactly what they were doing.

Yolanda C.

Overbrook, Philadelphia

Third year in a row using Franklin for my annual. They keep records from previous visits so they can compare condition year to year. That level of attention is rare. My chimney is 90 years old and still going strong because of these guys.

Had a wood stove insert put in and needed a properly sized liner. Franklin ran the stainless liner, insulated it, and connected it to the stove. The efficiency jump was noticeable the first cold night — our heating bill actually dropped.

Mike O.

Wissahickon, Philadelphia

Stage 2 creosote buildup — that's what they told me. I burn wood three or four times a week November through March so I wasn't surprised. They did a thorough cleaning and recommended I switch to seasoned hardwood instead of the green stuff I'd been using. Already booked for next October.

Wanted the chimney checked before our first winter in the suburbs. The tech arrived on time, was thorough with the camera, and explained the few minor things he found without pushing any work. Honest companies still exist — this is one of them.

Our 1890s stone house needed a proper look before we lit the fireplace. The technician was careful, knowledgeable, and didn't try to scare me into a big repair. Found a small gap at a flue joint, documented it with photos, and gave me options. Genuinely refreshing.

Sarah & James K.

Fishtown, Philadelphia

We bought a 1920s twin in Fishtown and needed a full chimney evaluation before closing. They gave us a detailed report with photos that our inspector could use. Saved us from a $12,000 surprise. Can't recommend enough.

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.

We hadn't used the fireplace in years and wanted it cleaned before lighting it. They pulled out leaves, an old nest, and a surprising amount of creosote. Fireplace draws beautifully now. Patient crew, fair price, spotless cleanup.

Diane L.

Narberth, PA

Been putting off getting the chimney looked at for probably five years. Finally called and they were here two days later. Good news — everything was structurally sound. They cleaned some debris off the smoke shelf and told me I was good to go. Refreshing to deal with an honest company.

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.

William T.

Bustleton, Philadelphia

Pre-season cleaning before the holidays. They were in and out in under an hour. No mess, no drama, no surprise charges. Exactly what you want from a service call. Already on the calendar for next year.

Stains on the ceiling near the chimney had me worried about the roof, but it was the masonry absorbing water. Franklin sealed the exterior and the staining stopped completely. They diagnosed it correctly when another company wanted to redo my roof.

Crumbling mortar and a couple of loose bricks up top. Franklin repointed the whole upper section and replaced the bad bricks, matching everything beautifully. Cleaned up completely and the price was exactly what they quoted. No surprises.

Kevin P.

Mount Airy, Philadelphia

Smoke was backing up into our living room every time we lit a fire. Turned out the previous owner had the wrong size liner installed. They replaced it with a stainless steel liner and now it draws perfectly. Wish I'd called them years ago.

I manage a small triplex and Franklin inspects all three chimneys every fall. They're punctual, the reports are detailed enough for my insurer, and they invoice promptly. As a landlord, that reliability is worth its weight in gold.

Colleen D.

Lansdowne, PA

Birds had been nesting in the chimney and there was a ton of debris in there. Franklin cleaned everything out, sanitized the flue, and recommended a cap to prevent it from happening again. The whole house smells better now. Wish I hadn't waited so long.

Had spalling bricks repaired and Franklin recommended waterproofing as part of the job, explaining the new mortar needs protection too. One crew did both in the same visit — efficient and cost-effective. No more water getting into the masonry.

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.

Rich & Tammy S.

Tacony, Philadelphia

We burn wood all winter — every single night from Thanksgiving to Easter. Annual cleaning is a must for us. Franklin gets it done fast, shows us the before-and-after photos, and we're good for another season. Been using them three years now.

I'm a first-time homeowner and had no idea what to look for. The technician was patient, never made me feel dumb, and showed me everything on the screen as he went. Flue was sound, cap needed replacing. Clear, honest, fairly priced. 10/10.

We hadn't touched the fireplace since moving in three years ago. The inspector found old debris on the smoke shelf and a cap that had partially blown off. He documented all of it, cleared the loose stuff, and gave me a straight quote for the cap. No drama.

Brian & Jen C.

Blue Bell, PA

Our house is only 12 years old but the builder never sealed the chimney. We were already seeing mortar deterioration. Franklin waterproofed it before any real damage happened. Preventive maintenance is way cheaper than emergency repairs. Learned that lesson the easy way for once.

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.

Lorraine K.

Clifton Heights, PA

Water was pooling at the base of the chimney where it meets the roof. The mortar at the bottom three courses was turning to sand. They repointed the damaged area, sealed the chimney-to-roof transition, and waterproofed the entire stack. Problem solved.

Downdrafts were blowing smoke into our condo every time we lit a fire. Franklin assessed the roofline, installed a wind-resistant cap, and the problem vanished. Professional, prompt, and they cleaned up after themselves. Fireplace is finally usable.

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.

Derek & Mia L.

Point Breeze, Philadelphia

We're flipping a twin in Point Breeze and needed the chimney report for the buyer's lender. Franklin got us the full inspection and written report in 48 hours. Professional enough to satisfy an underwriter. We'll use them on every project going forward.

Efflorescence and a damp interior wall after storms. Franklin confirmed with a moisture meter, sealed the exterior with a breathable product, and the wall has been dry ever since. They never pushed anything I didn't need. Straightforward and honest.

We burn wood almost every night in winter, so an annual sweep is non-negotiable for us. Franklin laid down drop cloths, vacuumed from the roof down, and showed me the before-and-after photos. My living room was spotless when they left. Third year using them.

David R.

Manayunk, Philadelphia

Called at 8 AM about a downdraft problem. Tony was at my door by noon. He found a cracked liner that two other companies missed. Fair price, great communication, and they actually answered when I had follow-up questions.

Our chimney cap had blown off in a windstorm and we didn't notice until water stains appeared inside. Franklin installed a heavy stainless cap bolted down securely and sealed up the entry point. Solid work, fair price, and great communication throughout.

Barbara J.

Mayfair, Philadelphia

Hadn't had the chimney cleaned in three years. I know, I know. They didn't lecture me about it — just did the job, showed me the buildup they removed, and recommended I go annual from here. Fair enough. Booking now for next fall.

After repointing my chimney they sealed it the same day so the fresh mortar wouldn't take on water. Smart sequencing and great communication. Two heavy rains since and everything's dry. Honest crew that explained the whole process clearly.

Three winters of heavy use and I'd never had it swept. They didn't make me feel bad about it — just did a thorough job, showed me the photos, and recommended going annual. Fair enough. Booking for next fall already.

Maria V.

Spring Garden, Philadelphia

Brown stains were spreading across my living room wall every time it rained hard. Turns out water was wicking through the chimney masonry. They applied a breathable sealant to the entire exterior. Two months and several storms later — not a single new stain.

First home with a fireplace and I didn't even know you're supposed to clean it before using it. The tech walked me through what creosote is and why it's dangerous. Educational and patient. Now I know to do it every year. Highly recommend.

Eileen M.

Rittenhouse, Philadelphia

Water was dripping down the inside of my chimney and staining the hardwood. The flashing had pulled away from the masonry — Franklin said it was probably from thermal expansion over the years. They replaced all the step flashing and counter-flashing. Bone dry ever since.

Water in the attic traced back to failed flashing where the chimney meets a roof addition. Franklin replaced it correctly and sealed the chimney side. Two nor'easters later and the attic is completely dry. Coordinated perfectly with my roofer.

Selling our place in the suburbs and the buyer's inspector flagged the liner. Franklin squeezed us in, installed a new stainless liner, and got us the certificate in time for closing. Professional, fast, and exactly the price quoted. Recommend highly.

Ray & Christine A.

Fairmount, Philadelphia

We hadn't used our fireplace in eight years. Before lighting it up this winter we called Franklin to clean it out. They removed a bird's nest, about an inch of creosote, and a whole lot of leaves. Fireplace works beautifully now. The guy even showed us how to operate the damper properly.

Booked the $129 inspection mostly to get it off my to-do list. The tech ran the camera all the way up and showed me a hairline crack near the top I had no idea was there. No pressure to fix it that day — just a clear written report and a fair quote. Exactly how it should be done.

Smoky smell every time the heat kicked on. Turned out the flue was overdue for a sweep and full of soot. Franklin cleared it out in one visit and the smell vanished by that evening. Reasonable price, clean work, no upsell.

Carlos M.

Port Richmond, Philadelphia

The chimney crown was cracked in three places and water was getting in every time it rained. I was getting stains on my ceiling for months before I figured out the source. They rebuilt the crown completely and sealed it. Two heavy rainstorms since and completely dry inside.

Moved into a house in the suburbs with a long-neglected fireplace. Franklin's sweep was meticulous and they were honest that the flue itself was sound — just dirty. No invented repairs. Clean, fast, and fairly priced. Highly recommend.

Marcus & Denise J.

West Philadelphia

Our home inspector said the chimney 'looked fine' during closing. We called Franklin for a second opinion and they found a cracked flue tile on the Level 2 camera inspection. That crack would've leaked carbon monoxide directly into our bedroom wall. Terrifying to think about.

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.