Level 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
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AfterFamco Chimney Liner & Rebuild in Smithtown: What to Know First
We provide independent Famco chimney liner and rebuild service throughout Smithtown, with most liner replacements and partial rebuilds completed in a single visit and pricing agreed before we start. A typical Famco stainless steel liner replacement runs $2,800 to $4,500 depending on flue height and condition, and we do not recommend work without camera evidence you can see for yourself. This page is for homeowners in Smithtown, Kings Park, and the surrounding Suffolk County communities who own a Famco chimney component and need straight answers about whether it can be repaired, what it will cost, and who will stand behind the work. Call us at (631) 814-2057 - a live person answers, every hour of every day.
How Famco Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Famco 316Ti flexible liner sleeves develop seam separation near the smoke chamber. The 316Ti series uses a titanium-stabilized alloy that resists acid corrosion well, but the longitudinal seam weld can work loose where the liner flexes most - typically 18 to 24 inches above the damper throat in Smithtown’s older split-levels with offset flues. We cut back to sound metal and splice in a factory-welded Famco replacement section, or transition to a DuraFlex equivalent if the original run is too far gone to salvage.
- Famco rigid 304 stainless elbows pit from the outside in on north-facing chimneys. Smithtown’s prevailing winter wind drives moisture down the flue on north exposures, and the 304 alloy in Famco’s rigid elbow assemblies lacks the molybdenum content to resist chloride attack from decades of freeze-thaw cycling. We replace with 316L rigid sections or switch to a Gelco equivalent with thicker gauge material - whichever geometry your flue demands.
- Famco top-sealing dampers seize when the stainless cable sheaths fill with creosote. The cable-housing design on Famco’s Lyemance-style dampers runs through the smoke shelf, and in Smithtown’s heavy oak-burning households that housing becomes a creosote conduit within three to four seasons. We extract the cable, inspect the frame for heat warp, and either rebuild the damper with OEM Famco parts or retrofit a Gelco top-sealer with a better-sealed cable path.
- Famco galvanized chase covers rust through at the drip edge in 12 to 15 years. The galvanized steel Famco used on chase covers installed in the 1990s and early 2000s was rated for 20-year service, but Smithtown’s proximity to the Sound accelerates galvanic loss - we see pinholing first where the drip edge meets the vertical flange. We fabricate a replacement in copper or 24-gauge stainless, or source a Copperfield pre-formed cover when the chase geometry is standard.
- Famco terra cotta flue adapters crack from thermal shock after improper liner sizing. When a previous installer forced an oversized flexible liner through a Famco terra cotta thimble, the remaining clay becomes a heat sink that fractures during cold starts - common in Smithtown’s 1960s ranches with exterior chimneys. We remove the damaged adapter, reline with a properly sized HeatShield cerfractory sleeve or a correctly dimensioned Famco flexible liner, and never leave a gap that lets exhaust wash the brick.
Our Famco Chimney Liner & Rebuild Process
- 1
Call and schedule. A live person answers, 24 hours a day. We book a Level-2 camera inspection with no deposit required.
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Inspect and document. Our technician runs a camera the full length of your Famco flue, photographs every defect, and explains what you’re seeing in plain English - no jargon, no pressure. Russell’s approach: “Tell me what you see, and I will tell you what it means.”
- 3
Diagnose and price. We determine whether your Famco component can be repaired with OEM parts, needs a quality aftermarket equivalent from DuraFlex or Gelco, or requires full replacement. You get one upfront price. That number appears on the invoice.
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Repair and test. Background-checked, uniformed technicians complete most Famco liner replacements and partial rebuilds in a single visit. We pressure-test or smoke-test every flue before we pack up.
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Guarantee and follow up. Every job carries our 90-Day Done Right Promise in writing - if it’s not right, we make it right, no paperwork, no arguing. We also note your next recommended inspection date based on your burning habits and the Famco components in your system.
What Famco Chimney Liner & Rebuild Costs in Smithtown
| Service | Typical Range | What Moves the Price |
|---|---|---|
| Famco flexible liner replacement (single flue, standard height) | $2,800 - $4,200 | Flue length, number of offsets, need for new top plate or damper adapter |
| Famco rigid liner replacement with elbows | $3,500 - $5,800 | Elbow count, exterior chase access, whether terra cotta must be removed first |
| Partial chimney rebuild (above roofline, Famco flue) | $4,200 - $7,500 | Linear feet of brick, matching existing mortar color, scaffold requirements |
| Famco top-sealing damper repair or replacement | $680 - $1,400 | OEM Famco vs. Gelco retrofit, cable housing condition, smoke shelf access |
| Chase cover replacement (Famco or compatible) | $1,200 - $2,800 | Material (galvanized vs. stainless vs. copper), custom fabrication vs. standard size |
These are Smithtown-market ranges based on jobs we’ve completed in neighborhoods from Kings Park to Nesconset. The only way to know your exact number is to inspect your specific chimney. Estimates are free, and we do not charge to look. Call (631) 814-2057.
Why Smithtown Homeowners Call Hearthstone Chimney Co. for Famco Work
We’ve been answering the phone with a live person for over 42 years, and we plan to be here when your next question comes up. Our 90-Day Done Right Promise - Krafted right, Every time, Your home first, Standing behind it - is backed in writing with no arguing. Russell Haines and our technicians know Famco products from hands-on work across Suffolk County, including the older colonials near Caleb Smith State Park Preserve where flue offsets and tight clearances demand real problem-solving. When Famco OEM parts are back-ordered or discontinued, we draw on our relationships with DuraFlex, HeatShield, and Gelco to keep your job moving without substituting builder-grade materials. Photos you can see, a plain-English verdict, and a square deal: no surprises on the bill.
FAQs
No - Famco’s warranty on chimney components covers manufacturing defects, not service work, provided the repair uses compatible parts and follows NFPA 211 standards. As an independent Famco service provider, we document every step with photos so any future warranty claim has clear evidence the component was not altered improperly. Call (631) 814-2057 if you have questions about your specific Famco model.
Yes, for most Famco series produced after 1990, though some rigid liner elbows and early galvanized chase covers are discontinued. We maintain inventory of common Famco replacement sections, and when OEM is no longer available we source direct-fit equivalents from DuraFlex or Gelco that meet or exceed original specifications - never improvised hardware-store substitutes.
A Level-2 camera inspection tells the story. Localized pitting or a single seam separation often just needs a section repair; generalized thinning, multiple seam failures, or distortion from a chimney fire means replacement is the safe call. We show you the camera footage and explain which category your Famco liner falls into before you decide. Call (631) 814-2057 for a free inspection.
Most Famco liner replacements and partial rebuilds above the roofline are completed in one day. Full chimney rebuilds involving multiple flues or structural repair to the firebox typically run two to three days. We do not rush masonry curing - in Smithtown’s shoulder seasons, that means protecting fresh work from overnight frost, which may add a day. You’ll know the timeline before we start.
A compromised liner allows exhaust gases, including carbon monoxide, to leak into wall cavities or living space, and creosote can accumulate in gaps where it becomes a chimney fire risk. The danger is real but not immediate in every case - some Famco issues can wait a season, others cannot. We tell you which yours is, with camera evidence, so you decide from facts rather than fear. Call (631) 814-2057 and we’ll give you the straight answer.
Ready to know exactly what your Famco chimney needs? Call (631) 814-2057 - a live person answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We’ll schedule your free Level-2 camera inspection, show you what we find, and give you an upfront price with no surprises on the bill. We’ve served Smithtown and Suffolk County for over 42 years, and we intend to be here when you need us next.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner, Hearthstone Chimney Co. at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Smithtown and nearby areas.