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
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Before
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Before
AfterGelco Chimney Liner & Rebuild in Lansdale: What to Know First
We provide independent Gelco chimney liner and rebuild service in Lansdale, with most Gelco liner replacements and partial rebuilds completed in one to two days after inspection. A written price and scope are delivered before any work begins, and every job includes a camera-scan photo record under Clause 4 of the Haven Standard. If you own a Gelco liner or are weighing a Gelco rebuild against other options, this page covers what we’ve learned from servicing these systems across Montgomery County. Call (267) 327-4785 for a free estimate, or read on for the specifics.
How Gelco Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Gelco Stainless Pro series: weld-seam corrosion at the flex joint. The Pro’s corrugated flex section sits where flue gases cool fastest, usually just above the smoke chamber. In Lansdale’s freeze-thaw cycles, condensation pools at the lower weld seam and eats through from the inside. We cut back to sound metal, transition to a new Gelco-compatible flex or rigid section, and document the joint with camera footage before we close up.
- Gelco UltraPro: liner wall thinning from over-firing. UltraPro’s lighter-gauge alloy saves weight but sacrifices tolerance for sustained high-output burns. We see this in Lansdale’s newer construction with EPA-certified stoves pushed hard for whole-house heat. The fix is a gauge-for-gauge replacement or an upgrade to a heavier DuraFlex or HeatShield system if the appliance output demands it. We measure wall thickness with a borescope and show you the reading.
- Gelco smooth-wall rigid: mortar joint failure in offset chimneys. Gelco’s rigid liner sections seal with high-temp mortar at the joints. In older Lansdale colonials with chimney offsets near the Merrick Road corridor, thermal cycling cracks the mortar and leaks flue gas into the masonry cavity. We re-mortar with HeatShield Cerfractory Foam or replace with a flexible liner if the offset angle exceeds 30 degrees. The camera doesn’t guess. Neither do we.
- Gelco top plate and collar assemblies: gasket hardening and draft reversal. The silicone gasket between Gelco’s top plate and flue liner hardens after 8-12 years of Pennsylvania sun and cold. Draft stalls, smoke lingers, and CO risk rises. We stock replacement Gelco-spec gaskets and upgraded stainless collars through our Haven buying network. If the plate itself is warped, we source OEM or fabricate a match in-house.
- Gelco transitional liners (gas-to-wood conversions): material mismatch. Homeowners who converted a gas fireplace back to wood often kept a Gelco aluminum or light stainless liner rated for gas service only. Wood flue temperatures exceed the alloy limit, and the liner distorts within a season or two. We pull the wrong-spec liner, inspect the surrounding masonry for heat damage, and install a Gelco or DuraFlex stainless system rated for solid fuel under NFPA 211.
Our Gelco Chimney Liner & Rebuild Process
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Level 2 camera inspection. We run a chimney camera the full flue length, record the footage, and flag liner condition, clearance measurements, and masonry integrity. You get the video and a written summary before any price is discussed.
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Written price and scope. Clause 1 of the Haven Standard requires a written price, written scope, and written warranty before work starts. No exceptions. You’ll know exactly what Gelco parts we’re using, what labor is included, and what the 365-Day Done Right Promise covers.
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Parts decision: OEM Gelco or quality aftermarket. We source Gelco components through our Haven buying network when OEM is the right fit. If Gelco lead times stretch or a DuraFlex or HeatShield alternative offers better value for your specific flue, we explain the trade-off in writing and let you decide.
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Installation or rebuild. Our crew installs to NFPA 211, local Montgomery County code, and Gelco’s own clearance specs where applicable. For partial or full rebuilds, we match existing brick coursing and install proper crickets where roof pitch demands.
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Post-work camera verification and smoke test. We camera the new liner, run a smoke test for draft and leak integrity, and compile the photo record. Clause 4 of the Haven Standard requires this documentation on every job.
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Cleanup, walkthrough, and archived record. Your final packet includes before-and-after photos, camera footage, the written warranty, and our direct line. The record stays in our archive if you need it for insurance or resale.
Before
AfterWhat Gelco Chimney Liner & Rebuild Costs in Lansdale
| Service | Typical Range | What Moves the Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gelco liner replacement (straight flue, single story) | $2,800 - $4,200 | Flue diameter, access difficulty, whether the existing liner pulls clean or needs demolition |
| Gelco liner replacement with offset or two-story run | $4,000 - $6,500 | Flex vs. rigid, number of offsets, scaffolding needs |
| Partial chimney rebuild (above roofline, with Gelco liner) | $5,500 - $9,000 | Courses to rebuild, crown condition, matching historic brick in Lansdale’s older neighborhoods |
| Full chimney rebuild with new Gelco or DuraFlex liner | $12,000 - $18,000 | Foundation work, liner spec, chase reconstruction, permit requirements |
| Gelco liner repair (seam patch, gasket, collar) | $650 - $1,400 | Parts availability, whether we can access from top or must open the smoke chamber |
These are Lansdale-market ranges based on jobs we’ve completed in Montgomery County. Your exact price comes after inspection, in writing, with no obligation. Call (267) 327-4785 for a free estimate.
Why Lansdale Homeowners Call Level Two Chimney Lansdale for Gelco Work
We’ve inspected and cleaned more than 38,000 chimneys since 2009, and a growing share of our Lansdale calls involve Gelco systems installed in the 2010s that are now due for liner service or rebuild. Corrine Halstead and our crew know the difference between a Gelco Pro flex joint and an UltraPro wall-thinning pattern because we’ve camera-documented both dozens of times. When Gelco parts run long, we pivot to DuraFlex or HeatShield through our Haven buying network without padding the price. Every tech is background-checked, uniformed, and named before arrival. You get a text when we’re on the way, a written price before we start, and a photo record when we’re done. The 365-Day Done Right Promise is stamped on every job. And if another company handed you a quote that feels high, our Free Second Opinion is exactly that: free, written, and no pressure.
FAQs
No, a properly executed chimney rebuild does not void a Gelco liner warranty, but the liner must be reinstalled to Gelco’s clearance and support specs. As an independent Gelco service provider, we document every measurement and connection to protect your coverage. Call (267) 327-4785 if you need warranty paperwork reviewed.
A properly installed Gelco stainless liner typically lasts 15-25 years, but Lansdale’s freeze-thaw cycling and acidic condensation from efficient appliances can shorten that to 10-15 years if the liner is undersized or the appliance is over-fired. Camera inspection is the only way to know your liner’s real condition. We include that inspection free with every estimate.
Localized damage, a cracked top plate, or a failed flex joint can often be repaired. We recommend replacement when wall thinning exceeds 20%, multiple seams are corroded, or the liner material is mismatched to the appliance. We show you the camera footage and the measurement, then quote both options in writing.
We stock common Gelco gaskets, collars, and flex sections at our Montgomery County warehouse. For less common sizes or full liner kits, we source through our Haven buying network, which typically delivers within 2-3 business days. If your job is urgent and Gelco lead times stretch, we quote a DuraFlex or HeatShield equivalent with the same written warranty.
The chimney exterior tells part of the story: spalling brick, a cracked crown, or a tilting top suggest masonry failure that a liner alone won’t fix. The camera tells the rest. We never recommend rebuild work without photo evidence you can see yourself, and we’re direct about what can wait versus what can’t. Call (267) 327-4785 to schedule the inspection.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner, Level Two Chimney Lansdale at Level Two Chimney Lansdale, serving Lansdale and nearby areas.