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.
Famco Chimney Liner & Rebuild in Pasadena: What to Know First
We provide independent Famco chimney liner and rebuild service throughout Pasadena, with most liner replacements completed in one day and full rebuilds scheduled across two to three days depending on weather. Every job starts with a camera-down inspection and a written price before any work begins - no exceptions. If you own a Famco chimney cap, damper, or liner system and you’re seeing rust streaks, draft problems, or masonry damage around the flue, this page covers what we actually find and what it costs. Call us at (213) 459-6058 for a free estimate with no obligation to book.
How Famco Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Famco stainless chimney caps in the 3000 series develop crevice corrosion at the lid-to-base seam after 6-10 years in Pasadena’s marine-influenced climate, where morning fog salts accelerate oxidation at weld points. We replace with a matching gauge cap or upgrade to a higher-grade unit, documenting the old cap’s condition with photos per Haven Standard Clause 4.
- Famco top-sealing dampers (model lines with cast-aluminum frames) seize when heat-cycling warps the frame against the flue tile throat. In older Pasadena homes near Bungalow Heaven, we’ve found frames stuck open for multiple burning seasons, dumping conditioned air and accelerating flue liner deterioration. We free or replace the damper, then inspect the liner for heat damage the failed damper caused.
- Famco flexible stainless liners in the FL series suffer longitudinal seam separation when installed with too tight a bend radius in Pasadena’s shorter, offset flue runs common in 1920s construction. The seam opens gradually; owners notice creosote odor or poor draft before visible failure. We pull the damaged section, measure the actual flue path with a borescope, and reinstall with proper sweep elbows or a custom-fabricated rigid section.
- Famco galvanized wall thimbles rot from the inside out where condensation collects at the interior wall penetration, especially in Pasadena’s winter temperature swings. By the time staining appears on drywall, the thimble is often perforated. We replace with an insulated stainless thimble and seal the penetration with fire-rated materials, photographing the assembly for your record.
- Famco chimney pots and decorative shrouds trap moisture against the crown when their base flashing was sealed with non-breathable roofing cement instead of proper counter-flashing. We’ve documented this on multiple Pasadena hillside homes where wind-driven rain compounds the problem. We remove the pot, rebuild or reseal the crown, and reinstall with a ventilated base detail that lets the masonry dry.
Our Famco Chimney Liner & Rebuild Process

- 1
Call and schedule. A live person answers, checks availability, and notes your Famco product details. We text your technician’s name and photo before arrival.
- 2
Camera inspection. We run a Level 2 camera scan of the full flue, smoke chamber, and firebox. Corrine Halstead shows customers the footage before quoting - the camera doesn’t negotiate, it just shows what’s there.
- 3
Written scope and price. You receive a written price, written scope, and written warranty before anyone starts. This is Haven Standard Clause 1. No verbal estimates, no surprises.
- 4
Parts selection. For Famco liner jobs, we source OEM Famco components when available through our buying network, or specify quality aftermarket from DuraFlex, HeatShield, or Gelco when the original part is discontinued or the upgrade serves you better. We explain the choice in writing.
- 5
Repair and test. We complete the liner replacement or rebuild, perform a smoke test or draft measurement, and run a final camera pass to confirm the installation.
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Documentation and follow-up. You receive a photo record of before, during, and after - Haven Standard Clause 4 - plus your warranty terms. We check in at 30 days.
Before
AfterWhat Famco Chimney Liner & Rebuild Costs in Pasadena
| Service | Typical Range | What Moves the Price |
|---|---|---|
| Famco cap replacement (stainless) | $340-$580 | Flue size, access height, whether the flue tile needs repair underneath |
| Famco top-sealing damper repair or replace | $420-$760 | Frame condition, motor vs. manual, flue tile throat damage |
| Famco flexible liner replacement (FL series) | $2,800-$4,600 | Flue length, number of offsets, insulation requirement, connector work |
| Partial chimney rebuild (crown, top courses, liner) | $4,200-$7,800 | Scaffolding needs, masonry matching, extent of water damage below |
| Full chimney rebuild with new liner system | $8,500-$14,000 | Height, foundation condition, hearth extension, permit complexity |
These are the ranges we quote in writing before work starts. No hidden fees, no “while we’re here” add-ons. Every estimate includes the camera inspection. Call (213) 459-6058 for your exact quote - estimates are free.
Why Pasadena Homeowners Call Level Two Chimney Pasadena for Famco Work

We’ve inspected and cleaned more than 38,000 chimneys since 2009, and we’ve learned that Famco products fail in predictable ways that a generalist misses. Our technicians carry Famco-compatible inventory on common sizes, so we’re not ordering parts while your fireplace sits open. If Famco OEM is backordered or discontinued, we have pre-vetted alternatives from DuraFlex, HeatShield, and Gelco in our Haven buying network, and we explain the trade-off in writing before you decide.
Every job is backed by our 365-Day Done Right Promise: if it’s not done right, we make it right. No charge for the callback. We also offer a Free Second Opinion on any competitor’s written estimate - bring us their scope and price, and we’ll tell you what we see.
Corrine Halstead and her crew have worked throughout Pasadena for years, including the older craftsman stock in Bungalow Heaven where the masonry quirks are familiar territory. Background-checked, uniformed technicians. License number on every page. A text when we’re on the way.
FAQs
No - Famco’s warranty covers manufacturing defects, not installation by independent service providers. As an independent Famco service provider, we document our work with photos and written scope so any future warranty claim on the product itself remains clean. If you have a specific Famco warranty document, bring it to the estimate and we’ll note the relevant terms. Call (213) 459-6058 to schedule.
Most flexible liner replacements are completed in one day; full rebuilds with liner installation typically run two to three days depending on weather and permit timing. We don’t rush curing times for refractory materials or crown seal. Your written schedule before booking includes the day-by-day plan. Call (213) 459-6058 for current availability.
We repair Famco liners when the damage is localized and accessible - a separated seam at the connector, a small breach at the thimble. We replace when the damage is multiple points, the liner is undersized for the appliance, or the material has degraded past safe thickness. The camera inspection determines which; we show you the footage and explain both options with prices. Call (213) 459-6058 for a free inspection.
We stock common Famco caps, dampers, and liner diameters on our Pasadena service vehicles. Uncommon sizes or discontinued lines ship through our Haven buying network, typically 3-5 business days. If your job is urgent and Famco OEM is delayed, we present pre-vetted alternatives from DuraFlex, HeatShield, or Gelco with equivalent or upgraded specifications. Call (213) 459-6058 to confirm availability for your model.
You don’t - that’s what the inspection is for. A Level 2 camera scan reveals whether you’re looking at routine creosote buildup, a cracked flue liner, or spalling masonry that compromises the structure. In Pasadena’s climate, we’ve seen crowns that looked fine from the ground and were hollow underneath. We show you the footage, name the condition, and give you a written price for each option. No pressure to choose the most expensive one. Call (213) 459-6058 to book your inspection.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner, Level Two Chimney Pasadena at Level Two Chimney Pasadena, serving Pasadena and nearby areas.





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