Chimney & air duct service in Natick, MA

Chimneys in Natick homes

Natick has Victorians and older homes near Natick Center, and neighborhoods of capes, ranches, and Colonials built from the 1950s to the 1970s. Many have a masonry chimney serving a fireplace and the heating system.

What we see most often here

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Animals in the flue. With so many mature trees, squirrels, raccoons, and birds find open flues every spring. We remove nests and install a cap with a screen.

Air ducts and dryer vents

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

• 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.
• 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 Natick

Building permits in Natick come from the Town of Natick 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.