Matts Brothers Chimney provides chimney sweep services in Essex, including chimney sweeping & cleaning, chimney inspections, chimney repairs, and more. Every job is handled by licensed, insured technicians with upfront written pricing, and backed by a workmanship guarantee — free estimates for all of Essex and nearby areas.
Every fire leaves something behind — soot, ash, and a tar-like residue that builds up layer by layer inside your flue. When that buildup gets thick enough, it can ignite and turn into a chimney fire you may never even hear happening. Our thorough sweeping process removes all of it using professional-grade brushes and high-powered vacuums that capture debris before it ever reaches your living room. We also inspect the firebox and smoke shelf while we work, flagging any issues we spot. Most Essex homes need this service once a year, and appointments typically fit into a single morning or afternoon. We leave your home cleaner than we found it — that's a promise.
Request this service →Buying a home in Essex and not sure about the chimney? Just moved in and want peace of mind before your first fire? A professional inspection is the right first step. We follow the industry-standard Level 1, 2, and 3 inspection tiers — but we translate every finding into plain English so you're never left guessing. Level 1 covers accessible areas during a standard visit. Level 2 includes a video scan of the flue interior and is strongly recommended for any home purchase. Level 3 involves opening structural components when serious damage is suspected. Every inspection comes with a written report you can share with your real estate agent, insurance carrier, or just keep for your own records. No pressure, no upsell — just honest findings.
Request this service →Essex's coastal climate — the salt air, freeze-thaw cycles, and nor'easter storms — puts real stress on masonry chimneys. Mortar joints crack. Crowns spall. Bricks shift. Left alone, water works its way in and the repair bill grows fast. Our masonry technicians diagnose the actual source of damage before picking up a trowel, so we're fixing root causes rather than masking symptoms. Common repairs include tuckpointing deteriorated mortar joints, rebuilding damaged crowns, repairing or replacing smoke chambers, and patching cracked fireboxes. We use materials matched to your chimney's existing masonry whenever possible and back our repair work with a written warranty. Whether it's a minor patch or a significant rebuild, you'll get a detailed written estimate before any work begins.
Request this service →The chimney cap sits at the very top of your flue and does three important jobs: it keeps rain out, stops animals from nesting inside, and blocks wind-driven sparks from landing on your roof. The crown is the sloped concrete or mortar slab that covers the top of the chimney structure itself, directing water away from the flue opening. Both take a beating from Essex's coastal weather, and a cracked crown or missing cap is one of the most common reasons homeowners end up with water damage inside their fireplaces. We install stainless-steel caps built to last and repair or pour new crowns with proper slope and overhang. First-time homeowners are often surprised how much difference these two components make — and how affordable they are to address proactively.
Request this service →Most homeowners know to clean the lint trap, but the vent duct running from your dryer to the exterior of your home collects lint too — and that buildup restricts airflow, forces your dryer to work harder, and creates a genuine fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that failure to clean dryer vents is the leading cause of dryer fires. We use rotary brush systems to clear the entire duct length, remove compacted lint, and verify that your exterior vent hood opens and closes freely. While we're at it, we check for kinks or damage in the duct itself. Essex homeowners often add dryer vent cleaning to their annual chimney sweep appointment — it's efficient, affordable, and one less fire risk in your home.
Request this service →Inside every chimney is a liner — a clay tile, cast-in-place, or stainless-steel channel that guides smoke and combustion gases up and out of your home. When that liner cracks, gaps, or deteriorates, those gases (including odorless carbon monoxide) can seep into your living space. Older Essex homes, particularly those built before the 1980s, frequently have clay tile liners that have never been upgraded. If you've added a gas appliance or a new high-efficiency insert, your existing liner may no longer be the right size or material. We install flexible stainless-steel liner systems that fit virtually any flue configuration, and we repair damaged sections of clay tile liners when full replacement isn't necessary. Every liner installation meets current Massachusetts building codes and comes with a manufacturer-backed warranty.
Request this service →Fast response, upfront pricing, and workmanship guaranteed. Get your free estimate today.