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.
Masonry repairGas fireplace service
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterFamco Chimney Liner & Rebuild in McKinney: What to Know First
We provide independent Famco chimney liner and rebuild service in McKinney, Texas, with most liner replacements completed in one day and full rebuilds typically finished within three to five business days. Every job starts with a written price before any work begins - no exceptions, no surprises. If you own a Famco chimney system and you’re seeing rust flakes in the firebox, hearing a hollow ring when you tap the liner, or smelling smoke in upstairs rooms near Historic Downtown McKinney or the Craig Ranch corridor, this page is for you. Call us at (469) 429-2623 for a free estimate with camera inspection included.
How Famco Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
- Famco FMI B-Vent series: inner wall collapse at the offset. The B-Vent’s aluminum inner liner softens where the pipe makes an offset turn to miss a ceiling joist, especially in McKinney homes built 2015-2020 with tight chase dimensions. We find a crimped or sagging inner wall that no longer maintains its 1-inch air gap. Our fix is a full B-Vent replacement with proper slope and support, or a stainless steel liner conversion if the chase allows it.
- Famco Security Chimney air-cooled models: cracked refractory panels masquerading as liner failure. Homeowners in Stonebridge Ranch call us convinced they need a full liner replacement when the real problem is shattered upper refractory panels dropping debris into the smoke chamber. We camera-scan to distinguish panel failure from true liner breach, which saves roughly $1,800-$2,400 when only panels are needed.
- Famco pre-fab metal chimneys: chase cover rot accelerating liner deterioration. The galvanized chase covers on older Famco pre-fabs (common in 1990s builds near Eldorado Parkway) trap water against the liner top. We replace the cover with a custom-fabricated copper or stainless lid, then assess whether the liner can be salvaged or needs replacement.
- Famco flexible liner kits: improper sizing during original installation. We’ve pulled Famco flex liners in McKinney that were sized by fireplace opening rather than flue area, creating an overspec that collects creosote and undersized draft. We calculate by NFPA 211 tables, then install a properly sized DuraFlex or Gelco stainless replacement.
- Famco rigid stainless systems: weld-seam corrosion at the cleanout tee. The 304-alloy tees in some Famco rigid lines develop pinhole leaks where condensate pools, particularly in McKinney’s clay-heavy soils that shift chase foundations seasonally. We cut in a new 316-alloy tee with condensate drain, or upgrade to a full 316Ti system if the damage has spread.
Our Famco Chimney Liner & Rebuild Process
- 1
Call and schedule. A live person answers, checks Famco part availability through our Haven buying network, and books your NFPA 211 Level 2 inspection.
- 2
Camera-scan diagnosis. Corrine Halstead or one of our uniformed, background-checked technicians runs the camera down the flue, records the footage, and shows you the finding on site - cracked liner, spalling masonry, or failed seam. The camera doesn’t lie, and neither does the written quote.
- 3
Written scope and price. Before any work is scheduled, you receive a written price, written scope, and written warranty under Haven Standard Clause 1. No verbal estimates, no “we’ll see when we start.”
- 4
Parts decision. We source Famco-compatible components through our network, or specify DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, or Olympia Chimney alternatives when OEM lead times stretch past burning season or when aftermarket quality exceeds original spec.
- 5
Repair and test. Liner installation or rebuild proceeds, followed by a smoke-puffer draft test and final camera pass to verify sealed joints and proper alignment.
- 6
Documentation and guarantee. You walk away with photos, camera footage, a completed scope checklist, and the 365-Day Done Right Promise stamped on your record. Haven Standard Clause 4 requires it.
Before
AfterWhat Famco Chimney Liner & Rebuild Costs in McKinney
| Service | Typical Range | What Moves the Price |
|---|---|---|
| Famco flexible liner replacement (stainless) | $2,400 - $3,800 | Chase height, number of offsets, access difficulty |
| Famco rigid liner repair (tee or section) | $1,100 - $2,200 | Alloy grade (304 vs. 316Ti), whether chase cover also needed |
| Partial chimney rebuild (above roofline) | $3,500 - $6,000 | Brick matching, crown condition, liner integration |
| Full chimney rebuild with new Famco-compatible liner | $7,500 - $12,000 | Foundation stability, flue count, exterior height |
| NFPA 211 Level 2 inspection with camera | $249 - $349 | Number of flues, roof pitch, Crestridge vs. flat-access neighborhoods |
These are McKinney-market prices based on our 2024-2025 job data. We do not charge for the estimate itself, and our Free Second Opinion applies to any competitor’s written quote you bring us. Call (469) 429-2623 for your exact number.
Why McKinney Homeowners Call Level Two Chimney McKinney for Famco Work
We’ve inspected and cleaned more than 38,000 chimneys since 2009, and a growing share of our McKinney calls involve Famco systems installed during the 2015-2020 building surge. Corrine Halstead’s team knows the difference between a Famco B-Vent offset failure and a Security Chimney panel crack without guessing, because we’ve camera-documented both dozens of times in Collin County homes. Our Haven Standard means background-checked techs in uniform, license numbers on every page, a text when we’re en route, and a live voice on the phone any hour. If we quote it, we warranty it for 365 days. And when Famco OEM parts run long, our buying network delivers DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, and Olympia Chimney alternatives at prices kept honest by volume, not markup.
FAQs
No - Famco’s limited warranty covers manufacturing defects, not installation or service by independent providers. As an independent Famco service provider, we document our work to support any legitimate manufacturing claim you may have. If you need warranty filing assistance, we include that documentation at no charge. Call (469) 429-2623 to discuss your specific system.
Most flexible liner replacements are completed in a single day; full rebuilds with liner integration typically take three to five business days depending on masonry cure times. We do not rush cure cycles in McKinney’s humid shoulder seasons. You’ll get a written schedule with your price before work starts.
Replace the chimney only when structural failure - spalling brick, shifting foundation, or compromised wythes - accompanies the liner damage. If the masonry is sound and only the liner has failed, replacement saves $4,000-$8,000. Our camera inspection shows you exactly which category you’re in before you decide. Call (469) 429-2623 for a free estimate.
Yes, through our Haven buying network and compatible aftermarket lines. Some Famco-specific refractory panels and chase covers require custom fabrication; we source those through Copperfield and Gelco suppliers we’ve used since 2009. If a part is truly obsolete, we specify a modern equivalent and explain the upgrade in writing.
A breached liner allows exhaust gases, including carbon monoxide, to enter wall cavities and living spaces. In McKinney’s tight, energy-efficient newer homes near Trinity Falls and Tucker Hill, that risk is elevated because makeup air is harder to come by. Creosote can also reach combustible framing. We do not use scare tactics - we show you the camera footage and let the image speak. If the damage can safely wait until spring, we say so plainly. Call (469) 429-2623 and we’ll tell you exactly where you stand.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner, Level Two Chimney McKinney at Level Two Chimney McKinney, serving McKinney and nearby areas.