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
After
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AfterGelco Fireplace Services in Brick: What to Know First
We provide independent Gelco fireplace services in Brick, from gas fireplace tune-ups to firebox repairs and insert conversions, with most jobs completed in a single visit and upfront pricing before we start. A typical Gelco service call runs $150-$450 depending on what’s needed, and we carry common parts so you’re not waiting on a second trip. We’re not affiliated with or authorized by Gelco - we’re an independent service provider who knows their product lines inside and out.
This page is for Brick homeowners who already own a Gelco fireplace, insert, or damper and need it serviced, repaired, or converted by someone who won’t try to sell you a full replacement when a proper fix will do. If that sounds like your situation, call us at (609) 657-3371. A live person answers, 24 hours a day.
What happens when you call
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A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
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You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
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A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
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You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
How Gelco Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Gelco Pre-Fab fireplace units develop cracked refractory panels after 10-15 years of Brick’s freeze-thaw cycles, especially in homes near the Metedeconk River where humidity swings are sharper. We measure the panels in place and install matching refractory replacements rated for the original clearances - not a generic patch that changes the unit’s safety profile.
- Gelco fireplace inserts suffer from failed blower motors and warped fireback plates. The blower issue is usually a seized bearing from dust accumulation; we clean the housing, test the thermodisc, and source the correct replacement rather than substituting a universal motor that runs too fast and too loud.
- Gelco top-sealing dampers - the Lyemance and Lock-Top lines - corrode at the cable guide where Brick’s salt air from the shore settles. The symptom is a damper that won’t fully open or close by chain. We replace the cable assembly with OEM-spec stainless cable and lubricate the guide with high-temp grease, not WD-40, which cooks off and gums up in a season.
- Gelco gas log sets in vented applications develop clogged pilot orifices from spider webs and dust, especially in summer cottages around Windward Beach that sit idle for months. We disassemble the burner, clear the orifice with proper sizing tools, and test gas pressure at the manifold - not just light it and leave.
- Gelco wood-burning fireboxes show shifted or deteriorated firebrick in homes heated hard through Brick winters. We re-lay with medium-duty firebrick and refractory mortar rated to 2,500°F, matching the original layout so combustion air flows as designed. Quick-setting cement from the hardware store cracks in the first hot fire - we’ve pulled plenty of those amateur repairs out of Brick chimneys.
Our Gelco Fireplace Services Process
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Call and schedule. A live person answers, day or night. We ask the model name or series if you know it, the symptoms, and when you last had service. We give you a realistic arrival window and stick to it.
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Arrival and inspection. Our technician arrives in uniform, lays down protection, and runs a Level-2 camera inspection where the job warrants it. You see the photos on the tablet. We explain what’s wrong in plain English, what caused it, and what it’ll cost to fix.
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Parts decision. For Gelco units, we check availability of OEM parts against quality aftermarket equivalents from our suppliers. We’ll tell you when OEM is worth the wait and when a tested aftermarket part from our DuraFlex, HeatShield, or Gelco supply chain performs the same at lower cost. No surprises.
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The repair. We complete most Gelco fireplace services in one visit. Firebox repairs, damper cable replacements, insert blower swaps - done with professional-grade materials, tested to factory spec, and documented with photos.
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Russell’s walkaround. Russell Haines still checks finished jobs personally before we call them complete. Old habit. He’s looking for clean work, proper clearances, and a firebox you’d be proud to light.
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Written guarantee. You get the 90-Day Done Right Promise in writing. If it’s not right, we make it right. No paperwork to dig up, no arguing.
What Gelco Fireplace Services Costs in Brick
These are real ranges for Gelco work we’ve done in Brick and nearby Monmouth County homes. Your exact quote comes after inspection, and estimates are free.
| Service | Typical Range | What Moves the Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gelco gas fireplace tune-up and safety check | $150-$250 | Accessibility of the burner, condition of the pilot assembly |
| Gelco insert blower motor replacement | $280-$450 | OEM vs. quality aftermarket motor, housing corrosion |
| Gelco top-sealing damper cable repair | $180-$320 | Extent of corrosion, need for new cap frame |
| Gelco firebox refractory panel replacement | $350-$650 | Panel count, shipping time for exact-match panels |
| Gelco wood-to-gas conversion consultation | $89 (tune-up) + estimate | Existing flue condition, gas line routing |
We apply our standing offers where they fit: $50 off any repair over $250, a free second opinion on any written estimate you’ve already received, our $89 seasonal tune-up, and a permanent 5% senior and veteran discount. The number on the estimate is the number on the invoice.
Why Brick Homeowners Call Hearthstone Chimney Co. for Gelco Work
We’ve been answering calls in this area for over 42 years, and we’ve learned that Brick homeowners - especially the ones who’ve been in their house twenty years and plan to stay - don’t want a sales pitch. They want someone who knows the difference between a Gelco Lyemance and a Lock-Top, who can tell them whether their firebox crack is cosmetic or structural, and who will still be in business if something needs attention next season.
Our technicians are background-checked and uniformed. They carry professional-grade materials from DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield - no builder-grade substitutes that fail in two years. Every inspection ends with photos you can see and a plain-English verdict. And the 90-Day Done Right Promise means if we didn’t get it right, we come back and make it right. In writing. No arguing.
Find what’s wrong, fix it properly, stand behind it - that’s the whole job.
FAQs
No - using an independent, qualified technician does not void your Gelco product warranty, provided the work is done to manufacturer specifications and documented properly. We keep photos and notes on every Gelco job we handle in Brick, and we use OEM or equivalent-spec parts so warranty coverage stays intact. If you’re unsure about your specific warranty status, we can review it with you during the estimate. Call (609) 657-3371 to schedule.
Common Gelco parts - blower motors, damper cables, refractory panels for current series - usually arrive in 3-5 business days from our suppliers. Older or discontinued Gelco lines can take 7-10 days. We stock the fastest-moving items for Brick-area jobs, and we’ll tell you upfront if your repair requires a wait so you can decide whether to proceed or use a quality aftermarket equivalent we have on hand.
Most Gelco units we see in Brick homes are worth repairing if the firebox or shell is structurally sound and parts remain available. Replacement becomes the better option when the unit has suffered major refractory collapse, the heat exchanger is cracked, or repair costs approach 60% of a new installed unit. We’ll show you the camera footage, run the numbers honestly, and tell you when repair is the smart money - and when it isn’t. No replacement pressure.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual inspection, and sweeping as needed based on creosote buildup - typically every cord of wood burned, or at least once yearly for regular use. In Brick, where many homeowners burn oak and maple from local sources, we find 1/8 inch of creosote accumulation is the cleaning threshold. Skip it, and you’re risking a chimney fire or carbon monoxide backup through a partially obstructed flue. Our $89 seasonal tune-up includes inspection and cleaning if needed.
Yes - we evaluate Gelco wood-burning units for gas insert or log set conversion regularly in Brick. The critical factor is flue condition and sizing: gas appliances require proper draft, and some older Gelco flues need relining with DuraFlex or HeatShield materials to meet current codes. We run a camera inspection first, give you a written assessment of what’s required, and only proceed with work you approve. Estimates are free - call (609) 657-3371.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner, Hearthstone Chimney Co. at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving Brick and nearby areas.