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.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterWhy Olympia Homeowners Choose Gelco Chimney Cleaning
We provide Olympia Gelco service throughout the area, with Gelco-specific parts on our trucks and camera-scan documentation on every visit. Our work follows NFPA 211 Level 2 standards, and we deliver a written price before any work starts - no exceptions. Call (360) 464-2015 for a free estimate.
Olympia’s relentless moisture changes how Gelco systems age. With 50+ inches of annual rainfall, the South Sound’s humidity keeps firewood above 25% moisture even when it’s “covered,” which drives glazed creosote buildup inside Gelco stainless liners at rates we don’t see in drier markets. Meanwhile that same moisture attacks mortar, crowns, and flashing from the outside. We’ve cleaned and repaired Gelco chimneys across Olympia since 2009 - from the craftsman bungalows in South Capitol to the 1970s tract homes in west Olympia - and we’ve learned how this climate specifically stresses Gelco components. We also offer Gelco service in Lacey for customers just north of the city.
We’re not affiliated with or authorized by Gelco. We’re an independent service provider who stocks Gelco-compatible parts and knows the product line from field experience, not a dealer manual.
Why Trust Level Two Chimney Olympia for Your Gelco Chimney Cleaning?
Corrine Halstead, our owner, spent years working fireplaces and flues across the Northeast before settling into the Pacific Northwest market. She’s been up on rooftops near the Capitol Campus more times than she can count. That background matters because Gelco’s product line was developed for Northeast and Midwest heating loads, and Olympia’s wet, mild climate creates failure patterns those original engineers didn’t anticipate.
Our technicians carry Gelco-specific adapters, liner connectors, and damper gaskets on every truck. When we find a separated Gelco liner joint or a cracked top-sealing damper, we don’t need to order parts and come back. We fix it then, with components that fit correctly. The camera goes in first. Everything else follows from what it finds.
Every Gelco job we perform includes a documented photo record under Haven Standard Clause 4 - not as an upsell, but as standard practice since 2009. You’ll see what we found, where it was, and what we did about it. Written price, written scope, written warranty, all before work begins. That’s Clause 1 of the Haven Standard.
Common Gelco Chimney Cleaning Problems We Fix in Olympia
- Gelco stainless liner joint separation. The 6″ and 8″ Gelco liner kits use snap-lock or screwed joints that can loosen as the metal expands and contracts through Olympia’s long heating season. Once a gap opens, creosote leaks into the chase and creates a hidden fire hazard. We find this regularly in homes near the Eastside, where chimneys run through exterior walls that stay damp for months. Our Level 2 camera inspection catches it before you smell smoke in an upstairs room.
- Top-sealing damper gasket failure. Gelco’s cast-aluminum dampers rely on a silicone or rubber gasket to seal the flue when closed. Olympia’s persistent humidity dries these gaskets faster than manufacturer specs suggest, and once they crack, you’re losing heated air up the chimney all winter while rainwater drips onto the damper mechanism. We stock replacement gaskets and can rebuild the seal without replacing the entire damper assembly.
- Multi-flue cap corrosion and detachment. Gelco’s stainless and copper multi-flue caps use spot welds and screws that corrode in marine air. We’ve retrieved caps from rooftops near Budd Inlet after windstorms, the screws sheared clean through. A loose cap exposes flues to rain, accelerates liner deterioration, and can damage shingles or gutters when it finally lets go. We install replacements with upgraded stainless fasteners and proper flue alignment.
- Crown coating delamination. Gelco’s Crown Coat and similar products fail when applied over dirty or damp concrete, or when spread too thin to bridge hairline cracks. Olympia’s near-saturated spring air prevents proper curing, and by fall the coating flakes off, trapping water against the crown. We remove failed coating, assess the crown’s structural integrity, and reapply only when conditions allow a bond that will last.
- Glazed creosote in “seasoned wood” burns. This is the Olympia problem that surprises Gelco owners most. Your Gelco liner is engineered for dry hardwood combustion, but firewood stored outdoors here rarely drops below 25% moisture even under cover. The result is stage 2-3 glazed creosote that standard brushing won’t remove. We use mechanical removal and, when necessary, chemical treatment that breaks the glaze without damaging the stainless liner surface.
Before
AfterGelco Parts & Our Repair-vs-Replace Approach
We use Gelco OEM replacement parts when they’re available and fit the existing system. Our trucks carry Gelco liner connectors, damper gaskets, and multi-flue cap hardware for common 6″ and 8″ configurations. But we’re direct about when an aftermarket part makes more sense.
If Gelco has discontinued a component or factory backorders stretch past burning season, we’ll tell you plainly and offer a compatible alternative from DuraFlex or HeatShield - brands we source through Haven’s buying network specifically to keep customer prices honest. We don’t install knockoffs that won’t pass inspection next year.
The decision between repair and replacement comes down to what the camera shows us. A separated liner joint with minimal creosote intrusion gets resealed. A liner with multiple failed joints, visible corrosion, or thinning walls gets replaced - and we’ll show you the footage that proves why. No full-rebuild recommendation without photo evidence you can see yourself.
Call (360) 464-2015 for a free estimate. We’ll inspect first, then price.
Our Gelco Service Process - Step by Step
- 1
Diagnosis with camera inspection. We run a chimney camera the full length of your Gelco flue liner, recording every joint, seam, and surface condition. For top-sealing dampers and multi-flue caps, we photograph the assembly from inside and outside. You get a copy of the footage and stills. This is Haven Standard Clause 4 - documented record on every visit, no exceptions.
- 2
Written scope and price. We deliver a written price, written scope, and written warranty before any work begins. If we find creosote removal, cap replacement, and liner joint repair are all needed, we itemize each and you choose what to proceed with. Clause 1 of the Haven Standard: have it in writing.
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Repair or installation with Gelco-compatible components. Our background-checked, uniformed technicians arrive with parts on the truck. We use Gelco OEM where appropriate, quality aftermarket where it’s the better value. License number is displayed on every page and every technician carries identification.
- 4
Post-service testing and documentation. We run a final camera pass to confirm liner integrity, test damper operation, and verify cap stability. You receive a completed inspection report with photos, measurements, and warranty terms. The 365-Day Done Right Promise applies - if it’s not done right, we make it right.
Gelco Products We Service & Install in Olympia
We work on Gelco Stainless Steel Liner Kits in 6″ and 8″ diameters, Gelco Multi-Flue Caps in stainless and copper finishes, Gelco Top-Sealing Damper Systems, and Gelco Chimney Crowns and Crown Coatings. Our local inventory covers the fastener kits, gaskets, and connector sleeves most commonly needed for Olympia’s housing stock - from the original brick masonry chimneys in South Capitol to the factory-built metal fireplaces in west Olympia’s post-WWII and 1970s-80s neighborhoods.
If your Gelco system includes a component we don’t stock, we source through Haven’s supplier network rather than substituting an incompatible part. Typical turnaround for non-stock Gelco items is 2-4 business days, which we factor into scheduling so you’re not left with an open flue during burning season.
We Also Service These Brands
Our technicians are equally familiar with DuraFlex stainless liner systems, HeatShield cerfractory resurfacing products, Olympia Chimney supply components, Famco ventilation hardware, and Copperfield chimney accessories. Multi-brand capability means we diagnose what’s actually wrong with your chimney, not what fits our preferred product line. Materials are procured through Haven’s buying network to keep pricing honest across all brands.
FAQs - Gelco Chimney Cleaning Service in Olympia
No. We are an independent service provider with no affiliation or authorization from Gelco. We service Gelco products based on field experience and stock compatible parts, but we do not represent the manufacturer. For warranty claims that require authorized service, contact Gelco directly; for cleaning, repair, and honest assessment of your system’s condition, call us at (360) 464-2015.
Yes, when they’re available and appropriate for the repair. We also use quality aftermarket components from DuraFlex and HeatShield when Gelco parts are discontinued, backordered, or when the aftermarket option offers better value for your specific situation. We never install cheap knockoffs that won’t meet code or last through an Olympia winter.
Most sticking Gelco dampers need gasket replacement and track cleaning, not full replacement. The gasket dries and cracks in Olympia’s humidity, and creosote buildup binds the mechanism. We disassemble, clean, replace the gasket, and lubricate - usually same visit. If the cast aluminum frame is cracked or corroded through, we’ll show you the damage and price a replacement. Call (360) 464-2015 for an exact quote; estimates are free.
Replacement is warranted when the camera shows multiple separated joints, visible corrosion or pitting, wall thinning, or creosote intrusion that has compromised the chase structure. A single separated joint gets repaired. Three or more, or any sign of metal fatigue, and replacement is the safer long-term choice. We show you the footage and explain the threshold before you decide.
Yes, if the crown’s structural concrete is sound beneath the surface damage. We remove failed Gelco crown coating, assess for spalling or reinforcement exposure, and pour a new crown over the existing base when integrity allows. If the concrete is cracked through or the flue tiles are shifting, partial rebuild is necessary. Camera inspection and physical probing determine which path applies.
We stock Gelco-compatible multi-flue caps in stainless steel and can order copper. For rusted caps with intact mounting hardware, we sometimes salvage the frame and replace only the mesh and fasteners. If the cap has detached or the flue alignment is compromised, full replacement with upgraded stainless screws prevents recurrence. Call (360) 464-2015; we’ll inspect and price both options.
Yes. The stainless liner protects the flue interior, but water still damages the crown, mortar joints, and chase exterior. In Olympia’s climate, unsealed masonry absorbs moisture that freezes and thaws, accelerating spalling. Waterproofing the exterior extends the structure’s life regardless of liner type. We apply breathable, vapor-permeable sealers that don’t trap moisture inside the brick.
Our Chimney Cleaning & Sweep services for Gelco systems in Olympia typically run $180-$280 for a standard sweep with Level 2 camera inspection included. Creosote removal for stage 2-3 glazed buildup adds $120-$200 depending on severity. Cap replacement, damper repair, or liner joint sealing are priced separately after inspection. We deliver a written price before any work starts - always, no exceptions. Call (360) 464-2015 for your exact quote; estimates are free.
Book Your Gelco Service in Olympia, WA
We’ve serviced more than 38,000 chimneys since 2009, every one with a written price before work started and a documented record when it was done. For Gelco cleaning, repair, or an honest assessment of what your system needs this season, call (360) 464-2015. Live phone support, 24 hours a day. Free second opinion on any written estimate from another company.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Level Two Chimney Olympia, serving Olympia since 2009.