Chimney & air duct service in Dedham, MA

Chimneys in Dedham homes

Dedham is one of the oldest towns in Massachusetts, and its housing spans centuries: historic Colonials and Victorians near Dedham Square, and capes and ranches built in the 1940s to 1960s in the outer neighborhoods. Many still have their original masonry 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.
• 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.
• Home sales. Older houses change hands often here. A Level 2 chimney inspection before closing shows what a general home inspection can’t see inside the flue.

Air ducts and dryer vents

Capes and ranches here often have ducts in the attic or basement, added or rerouted over the years.

• 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.
• Renovations and additions. Kitchen and attic projects often leave duct runs crushed, disconnected, or full of drywall dust. See air duct cleaning and 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.

Permits in Dedham

Building permits in Dedham come from the Town of Dedham Building Department. 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.