Chimney & air duct service in Belmont, MA

Chimneys in Belmont homes

Belmont is a mostly residential town with housing built largely in the early 1900s: Colonials, Tudors, and two-families, many with tall brick chimneys.

What we see most often here

• Old clay tile liners. Clay flues from the early 1900s through the 1960s crack and shift with age, and a cracked liner can let heat and exhaust reach the framing. A camera inspection shows the condition of every tile, and a stainless steel liner is the usual fix.
• Oil-to-gas conversions. Many homes in the area have switched from oil heat to natural gas. Gas exhaust is cooler and wetter, and it can condense inside an oversized or cracked clay flue. A liner sized to the new boiler or furnace is often the answer.
• Tall chimneys and multiple flues. Larger homes often have two or three fireplaces and a separate heating flue in one tall stack. Each flue needs its own inspection, and tall chimneys take the most weather at the top. See chimney inspection.
• Freeze–thaw damage. New England winters swing above and below freezing again and again. Water that soaks into brick and mortar freezes, expands, and slowly breaks it apart. See crown, flashing, and brick repair.

Air ducts and dryer vents

Most older Belmont homes were built with radiators, so ducts for central air were added later wherever they would fit.

• Retrofitted ductwork. Many older homes were built for radiators and had central air added later, with ducts squeezed into attics, closets, and knee walls. Long, tight runs collect dust and leak at the joints. See duct repair and sealing.
• Long dryer vents. Laundry in the basement or a second-floor closet often means a long vent run with several bends. Lint builds up fast, and that’s a fire risk. See dryer vent cleaning and replacement.
• Bathroom fans that vent into the attic. In older homes, fans were often added later and simply end in the attic, where the moisture causes mold and rot. See exhaust fan cleaning.

Permits in Belmont

Building permits in Belmont come from the town’s Building Division. Routine sweeping, inspections, and minor repairs don’t need a permit. Relining, rebuilding a chimney, and installing a new wood stove or insert usually do. If your project needs one, we’ll tell you up front.