Chimney Cricket

This is a long overdue review; however, as it’s pouring rain outside, I can’t help but think of Chimney Cricket and smile! After a new roof, the cement around the top of the chimney must have cracked or shaken loose. After the new roof, the first rain brought water into the garage and kitchen. I must have called 10 different contractors getting various solutions and prices (one estimate was $ 1,800!!). Most often? No one was interested in taking the job. Along came a recommendation for Chimney Cricket. Neal suggested a sealant for just this purpose. Cost was $ 125. I figured what could it hurt, only slightly more then my free estimate. About a year later while listening to the rain, «Thank you, Neal!!»

Terrific service, thorough cleaning and structure evaluation!

I got an appointment right away, even though it was the season’s most busiest time. Neal came right on time and cleaned our fireplace quickly and thoroughly. He was great. Thanks for great service! See you next year.

From the phone call to Leah at Chimney Cricket to the prompt arrival of Neal, I can’t say enough good things about this business.
My fireplace insert had been used and abused by tenants for over 3 years, and my heart sank when I saw the condition it was in. I talked to 2 of the local fireplace insert businesses to see what could be done to repair the broken handles, missing gasket and deep clean the insert. The first business said that they never sold my brand of insert and didn’t know how to get parts. The second business said they would come out and take a look, that it would be a $ 200 house visit, and that the doors of my insert could not be removed to properly glue a new gasket on (they like to lay the doors down to glue the gaskets).
Thanks to Unilocal and the previous reviewer’s 5 star review of Chimney Cricket, I called.
Neal came out and — for a fraction of the cost that I was prepared for — he cleaned the chimney, firebox, doors and glass. He chiseled out the groove for the gasket and replaced it, and then he patiently took a lot of time to repair the rusted out handles and their hinges. I was in OCD heaven watching this guy work! And the brand new wall-​to-​wall carpet, that I had installed in front of the fireplace the week before, was pristine when he left.
He also gave me suggestions for scrubbing the soot off the surrounding stone and mantle (TSP) and now my fireplace looks like new again.
Thank you Chimney Cricket!

Neal is thorough, fair and knowledgeable. It’s been a pleasure to have him come over and clean my chimney and dryer vent these last 12 years. He recently installed an insert in my fireplace, and made sure I knew all I needed to know. He gave me options on various things I needed – gloves, ash can, fireplace rug, etc, and continued to check in with me to see if I was having any issues. There are other chimney cleaning businesses out there with similar names, so look for the Chimney Cricket display ad in the Yellow Pages. Check out their Web site, there’s a lot of info there. If you’re in the Santa Cruz area, call Chimney Cricket!