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 Hicksville: What to Know First
We provide independent Famco chimney liner and rebuild service in Hicksville, with most jobs completed in a single visit and upfront pricing agreed before we start. A typical Famco stainless steel liner replacement runs $2,800-$4,200 depending on flue height and condition, while partial rebuilds start around $3,500. We’re Hearthstone Chimney Co., and we’ve been working on Hicksville chimneys since the days when most of these houses were still heated by oil.
This page is for homeowners who already know they’ve got a Famco component in their chimney system, or suspect they do, and need straight answers about whether it can be repaired, what it will cost, and who in Hicksville actually knows how to work on it. If that’s you, call (516) 259-3797. A live person answers, 24 hours a day.
How Famco Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Famco 304L stainless flex liners in pre-1990 Hicksville colonials. These were popular retrofits in the 1980s and early ’90s, especially in the split-levels off Old Country Road. The 304L alloy was never meant for sustained wood-burning temperatures above 1,000°F, and after three decades of Long Island winters, we see pinhole corrosion at the flex points where condensation pools. We replace with 316L or 316Ti alloy, which handles the creosote acids better, and we upsize if the original was underspec’d for the appliance.
- Famco rigid 316L liner systems with failed top-seal collars. The collar gasket hardens after about 15 years of freeze-thaw cycles. Water tracks down the annular space, rusts the top plate, and stains the exterior masonry. We don’t just swap the gasket; we pull the top assembly, inspect the liner wall for crevice corrosion hidden underneath, and reinstall with a silicone-impregnated collar rated for 600°F continuous. The chimney doesn’t care what you hoped it was - it shows you what it is.
- Famco Heat-Fab Saf-T Liner with separated seam joints. These snap-lock seams can work loose when the chimney shifts, which happens more than you’d think in Hicksville’s clay-heavy soils after wet springs. The gap looks minor but drafts flue gases into the masonry cavity. We spot-weld and sleeve, or replace the affected section if the gap has propagated. We document the before condition with camera photos so you see exactly why we’re recommending what we are.
- Famco chimney caps with corroded mesh and warped lids. The galvanized mesh on older Famco caps rusts from the inside out, especially where salt air from the south shore works its way inland. A clogged mesh forces smoke backward on windy days. We fit a stainless or copper replacement cap with 5/8-inch mesh, properly sized to the flue, not the generic big-box sizes that never seat right.
- Famco transitional connectors (stovepipe to liner) with thermal fatigue cracks. These see the worst temperature swings of any component. In Hicksville, we find them cracked in homes that burn intermittently - weekend fires, then cold all week. The expansion-contraction cycle work-hardens the metal. We replace with a heavier-gauge OEM or equivalent connector, and we check that the appliance is drafting properly so the connector isn’t seeing reverse flow.
Our Famco Chimney Liner & Rebuild Process
- 1
Call and schedule. A live person answers, day or night. We ask about the appliance, the symptoms, and the age of the house. If it’s urgent - smoke backing up, carbon monoxide detector activity - we prioritize.
- 2
Level-2 camera inspection. Our technician runs a camera the full length of the flue, records the video, and pulls stills of every defect. You see the same images we see. No verdict until the camera comes out.
- 3
Parts decision: OEM Famco or quality equivalent. If Famco still produces the exact component, we’ll quote it. If it’s obsolete or the lead time is unreasonable, we source from DuraFlex, HeatShield, or Gelco - brands we’ve used for years and trust for warranty-safe compatibility. We explain the trade-off and let you decide.
- 4
Repair or rebuild, single visit. Our techs arrive with the parts, the tools, and the materials. Most Famco liner replacements and partial rebuilds finish in one day. We pressure-test or smoke-test before we pack up.
- 5
Photo report and written guarantee. You get the inspection photos, a plain-English summary of what was done and why, and the 90-Day Done Right Promise in writing. If it’s not right, we make it right. No paperwork to file, no argument.
- 6
Cleanup and walkthrough. We leave the work area cleaner than we found it. You sign off satisfied, or we don’t consider the job done.
What Famco Chimney Liner & Rebuild Costs in Hicksville
| Service | Typical Range | What Moves the Price |
|---|---|---|
| Famco stainless flex liner replacement (single flue) | $2,800 - $4,200 | Flue height, number of offsets, access difficulty |
| Famco rigid liner section repair or replacement | $1,800 - $3,400 | Extent of corrosion, top assembly condition |
| Partial chimney rebuild (above roofline) | $3,500 - $6,500 | Linear feet of masonry, scaffolding needs, matching existing brick |
| Full chimney rebuild | $8,500 - $14,000 | Height, foundation condition, liner integration |
| Famco cap, collar, or connector replacement | $450 - $1,200 | Material (galvanized vs. stainless vs. copper), access |
These are real Hicksville numbers, not national averages padded for negotiation. The estimate we give is the invoice you pay. We don’t find “surprise” problems after we start - if the camera inspection missed something, that’s on us, not you. Call (516) 259-3797 for a free, no-pressure estimate.
Why Hicksville Homeowners Call Hearthstone Chimney Co. for Famco Work
We’ve been on roofs in Hicksville since 1984. Russell Haines and our crew know the difference between a Famco 304L and 316L system without pulling the cap, because we’ve replaced enough of both to know where each was installed and how it ages in this climate.
Our 90-Day Done Right Promise means exactly what it says: if it’s not right, we come back and make it right, in writing, no arguing. Our technicians are background-checked, uniformed, and trained on Famco, DuraFlex, HeatShield, and Gelco systems - so if your Famco part is no longer manufactured, we have proven alternatives ready.
A live person answers our phone 24 hours a day. Most jobs complete in one visit. And every recommendation comes with photos you can see and a plain-English verdict you can understand. That’s the Keystone Standard. That’s how we’ve operated for over 42 years, and how we plan to operate for the next 30.
FAQs
The original Famco warranty on most residential liners expired after 10-15 years, and manufacturer coverage requires installation by an authorized dealer - which we are not. As an independent Famco service provider, we use warranty-safe practices and quality parts that meet or exceed OEM spec, but we do not represent Famco or extend their coverage. For a clear assessment of what’s still covered and what isn’t, call (516) 259-3797 and we’ll review your documentation.
If the damage is isolated to a section, a joint, or a top fitting, repair is usually viable and more economical. If we find generalized thinning, multiple perforations, or corrosion along the full length, replacement is the safer long-term choice. Our camera inspection shows you exactly which category you’re in before you commit to either. Call for a free estimate.
Some Famco components remain in production; others were discontinued years ago. We maintain relationships with distributors who stock legacy Famco inventory, and when that’s not available, we substitute from DuraFlex, HeatShield, or Gelco - never builder-grade knockoffs. We explain what we’re using and why, and we guarantee the fit and function the same as OEM.
Most single-flue Famco liner replacements in Hicksville complete in one day, assuming standard access and no hidden structural issues. Full rebuilds or jobs requiring extensive masonry cure time may run longer. We give you a clear timeline with the upfront estimate, and we don’t leave the job half-finished.
A compromised liner allows flue gases, including carbon monoxide, to leak into wall cavities and living spaces. In Hicksville’s older homes with balloon framing, that migration happens faster than you’d think. Creosote also seeps through liner gaps and ignites in the masonry, causing chimney fires that damage the structure from the inside out. The camera inspection tells you whether your situation is urgent or can safely wait - we’ll say so plainly, with evidence you can see. Call (516) 259-3797 to schedule.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner & Master Sweep, Hearthstone Chimney Co. at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Hicksville and nearby areas.





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