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.
Gelco Chimney Repair in Tacoma: What to Know First
We provide independent Gelco chimney repair in Tacoma, with most Gelco-specific jobs scheduled within a week and completed in one to two days. A written price and scope are delivered before any work starts, and every repair includes a camera-scan inspection and documented photo record under Haven Standard Clause 4. If you own a Gelco chimney cap, Gelco pre-fab chimney system, or Gelco liner components and you’re seeing water intrusion, spalling brick, or deteriorated mortar, we’re the Tacoma shop that stocks compatible parts and knows the failure patterns specific to these lines. Call (253) 447-5982 for a free estimate.
How Gelco Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Gelco chimney caps (Model 1000 and 2000 series) - The galvanized steel mesh on early 1000-series caps traps Pacific Northwest moisture against the flue tile, accelerating freeze-thaw spalling in Tacoma’s wet winters. We see this most often in North End homes where the cap sits above a south-facing slope that gets hit with wind-driven rain. Our fix: remove the compromised cap, assess flue tile condition with a camera scan, then install a Gelco-compatible stainless replacement or upgrade to a custom-fabricated cap with a larger mesh pattern that sheds debris without holding water.
- Gelco pre-fab chimney chase covers - The factory sealant bead around Gelco chase cover perimeters hardens after seven to ten years in Tacoma’s UV cycle, creating a capillary gap that wicks water directly into the chase framing. We find this during Level 2 inspections when the camera picks up rust streaking on galvanized flue pipe that shouldn’t be there. We remove the cover, reflash with proper step flashing integration, and reseal with a silicone-modified polyurethane rated for marine-zone temperature swing.
- Gelco stainless steel liner sections - The rolled-seam joints on Gelco’s original 316Ti liner can work loose where Tacoma’s clay soils create subtle foundation shift, especially in the Proctor District’s older craftsman homes. Corrine Halstead and our crew have tracked this pattern across several Proctor jobs: the joint separation isn’t visible from the firebox, but the camera catches it every time. We cut back to sound metal, install a properly sleeved coupling, and pressure-test the joint before the firebox goes back together.
- Gelco top-sealing dampers (Pro-Form and similar lines) - The cast-aluminum frame corrodes at the pivot pin when chimney condensation runs backward off a cold flue, which happens frequently in Tacoma’s shoulder seasons when homeowners light the first fire of the year on a 45-degree damp evening. The damper jams open, bleeding heat all winter, or jams closed, forcing smoke into the room. We extract the damaged damper, evaluate the flue for proper sizing, and install a replacement with a stainless pivot assembly and a silicone gasket rated for the condensation cycle.
- Gelco firestop and radiation shield components - In two-story Tacoma homes with Gelco factory-built chimney systems passing through attic space, the firestop collar can deform from sustained high heat if the chimney has been operated with a missing or damaged cap for even one season. The deformation breaks the required 2-inch clearance to combustibles. We document the clearance violation with photos and measurements, replace the firestop with a current-code assembly, and restore the radiation shield continuity so the system passes municipal inspection if the home sells.
Our Gelco Chimney Repair Process

- 1
Call and schedule. A live person answers, 24/7. We book a Level 2 inspection with camera scan. You get a text when your technician is en route.
- 2
Inspection and documentation. We run the camera down the flue, record the condition of Gelco components and surrounding masonry, and mark every finding with a timestamped photo. The camera doesn’t guess. Neither do we.
- 3
Written price and scope. Before any repair begins, you receive a written price, written scope of work, and written warranty. Haven Standard Clause 1: have it in writing. No exceptions.
- 4
Parts decision. We stock Gelco-compatible parts through our Haven buying network. If OEM Gelco is backordered or discontinued, we source equivalent-grade aftermarket from DuraFlex, HeatShield, or Olympia Chimney and document the substitution on your record.
- 5
Repair and test. We complete the repair, pressure-test or draft-test as applicable, and run the camera again to verify the fix.
- 6
Cleanup and record. Your documented photo record, including before-and-after images, is assembled and delivered. The 365-Day Done Right Promise takes effect. We sweep the hearth area before we leave.
Before
AfterWhat Gelco Chimney Repair Costs in Tacoma
| Repair Scenario | Typical Range | What Moves the Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gelco chimney cap replacement (standard) | $340 - $580 | Flue tile condition, cap size, stainless vs. galvanized |
| Gelco chase cover reflash and reseal | $520 - $890 | Chase height, framing damage, custom fabrication needed |
| Gelco liner joint repair | $680 - $1,200 | Access difficulty, number of joints, liner diameter |
| Gelco top-sealing damper replacement | $560 - $940 | Flue size, frame corrosion extent, gasket specification |
| Gelco firestop/radiation shield restoration | $720 - $1,450 | Attic access, extent of heat damage, code cycle |
| Spot mortar repointing (tuckpointing) around Gelco components | $480 - $850 | Linear feet of joint, lift height, mortar color match |
These are real Tacoma-market prices based on jobs we’ve completed in neighborhoods from the North End to the Eastside. Every estimate is free, and we offer a free second opinion on any competitor’s written quote. Call (253) 447-5982 for your exact number.
Why Tacoma Homeowners Call Level Two Chimney Tacoma for Gelco Work

We’ve completed more than 38,000 chimney inspections and cleanings since 2009, every one with a written price before work started and a documented record when it was done. That archive practice became Haven Standard Clause 4, and we apply it to every Gelco job in Tacoma.
Our technicians are background-checked, uniformed, and assigned by name. You know who’s coming, and they know Gelco’s product lines, including which series have been discontinued and which aftermarket parts meet the original spec. We source materials through our Haven buying network from Gelco, DuraFlex, HeatShield, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield specifically to keep customer prices honest.
The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers every repair. If it’s not done right, we make it right. No charge, no argument.
FAQs
No, provided the repair uses compatible parts and follows the original installation manual. As an independent Gelco service provider, we are not affiliated with or authorized by Gelco, but we document every part specification and installation step so your warranty record is complete if a claim ever arises. Call (253) 447-5982 for a free estimate.
Yes, for most lines. We stock Gelco-compatible components and maintain sourcing relationships with DuraFlex, HeatShield, and Olympia Chimney for discontinued series. If a part is truly obsolete, we fabricate an equivalent solution and document it for your record. Call (253) 447-5982 to confirm availability for your model.
The camera scan tells us. We look for three things: structural integrity of the flue, condition of the liner or factory-built components, and water damage to surrounding framing or masonry. Most Gelco systems in Tacoma are repairable if caught before water has compromised the chase or firestop. We’ll show you the footage and explain which category you’re in. Call (253) 447-5982 to schedule.
Most Gelco repairs we perform in Tacoma are completed in one working day. Chase cover work or liner joint repairs in tight attic spaces may run into a second day. We give you a firm schedule in writing before we start, not a range. Call (253) 447-5982 for availability.
Water intrusion through a failed Gelco cap or chase seal degrades the flue liner and, in factory-built systems, the framing surrounding the chimney. In Tacoma’s wet climate, a single winter of delay often turns a $500 cap replacement into a $2,000-plus chase rebuild. Carbon monoxide risk increases if the liner or flue is compromised. We don’t pressure you, but we do show you the camera footage and explain the timeline so you can decide. Call (253) 447-5982 for a free estimate.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner, Level Two Chimney Tacoma at Level Two Chimney Tacoma, serving Tacoma and nearby areas.





Before
After
Before
After
Before
After