Chimney & air duct service in Sherborn, MA

Chimneys in Sherborn homes

Sherborn is a rural town south of Natick, with antique farmhouses, Colonials, and newer homes on large lots. Wood stoves and fireplaces are common here, and many chimneys are old.

What we see most often here

• Wood stoves and inserts. Homes on bigger lots burn more wood, and stoves and inserts produce creosote faster than an open fireplace. Plan on a yearly cleaning if you burn regularly.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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

Larger homes here often have long duct runs and dryer vents, and older farmhouses may have ducts added in tight spaces.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 Sherborn

Building permits in Sherborn come from the Town of Sherborn 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.