ANDOVER CHIMNEYS

unknown

He came out in the deep winter snow to repair our chimney. Every year I have him check the chimneys and he never charges for the checks.

I spoke with David in person and he seemed very knowledgeable and reliable so I hired them to do a chimney sweep and install a cap. I purchased the house only a few months before but didn't want to use the fireplace since I didn't know when it had been cleaned last. David arrived on time with a helper (both older gentlemen so I would assume very experienced in this field) and installed the cap. When I inquired about the cleaning David informed me I didn't need one. Later the same day I had a very reputable roofing company come by to look at my roof to check its condition. They pointed out some issues but, he also showed me that the cap was installed on bricks that were loose and the whole chimney needed to be repointed since it had old porous mortar. He also said the cap shouldn't have been installed without that work being done. I was very disappointed that Andover Chimney did not check this and inform me. You trust professionals to alert you to these issues. It's like a mechanic replacing a belt on water pump that is about to let go or getting a cleaning on your teeth and they don't tell you you have a cavity. It's a shame I was ready to give them a review of all As until I found out about this.

WHEN I CALLED, THE OWNER IMMEDIATELY GAVE ME SEVERAL REASONS WHY I PROBABLY DIDN'T NEED TO GET THE CHIMNEY CLEANED. HE EXPLAINED IT ONLY NEEDS TO BE CLEANED EVERY 150 BURNS OR SO. BECAUSE WE JUST BOUGHT THE HOUSE HE SAID TO LOOK AT THE HOME INSPECTOR'S REPORT. IT SOUNDED LIKE HE DID NOT WANT TO DO THE WORK, BUT TOLD ME HE WAS ONLY BOOKING TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE. DURING OUR FOLLOW UP CALL, HE ADVISED US TO GET A FLASHLIGHT AND LOOK UP THE CHIMNEY TO SEE IF IT REALLY NEEDS IT. HE ALSO REPEATED, WITHOUT SEEING THE CHIMNEY, THAT WE DON'T NEED IT CLEANED. WHEN ASKED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT HE WOULD LOOK AT A SUSPECTED LEAK IN THE CHIMNEY, HE SAID THAT HE WOULD NEVER EVEN TOUCH ANYTHING LIKE THAT BECAUSE 'THEN YOU ARE MARRIED TO IT.' THEN HE SAID HE WAS TOO BUSY TO EVEN LOOK AT OUR CHIMNEY.

HE ALWAYS RETURNS CALLS AND IS ALWAYS READY TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION.

DAVID WAS VERY HELPFUL WITH WOOD SOURCES AND QUESTIONS, CHIMNEY CAP INFORMATION. HE CHARGED ME NOTHING FOR THE VISIT, INSPECTION AND ADVICE