Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 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 Inspection in Austin: What to Know First
We inspect Gelco chimneys across Austin and the surrounding neighborhoods, and most inspections wrap up inside an hour with a written report and camera footage you can actually see. A Gelco inspection from Ashby Chimney Austin starts with an honest conversation about what you’re seeing, not a vague promise to “check things out.” You’ll know the price before we book anything.
If you own a Gelco fireplace, stove, or venting system and you’re wondering whether it’s safe to burn, this page will tell you what we look for, what commonly fails, and what it costs to put right. Call (254) 274-4486 and a live person answers. No voicemail loop, no callback form.
How Gelco Products Fail – and How We Fix Them
Gelco makes solid equipment, but after a decade or two of Central Texas heat, humidity, and hard use, specific things wear out. Here’s what we find most often in Austin homes.
- Gelco Direct-Vent terminations pull loose from the chase. The exterior cap on a Gelco direct-vent unit sits in full sun and wind. The mounting flange warps, the silicone breaks down, and water gets behind the siding. We see this constantly in older neighborhoods like Allandale and Crestview. The fix is usually a new termination kit and proper resealing, not a new fireplace.
- Gelco B-vent roof flashings crack in the Austin sun. B-vent systems on Gelco gas logs and stoves rely on a roof flashing that takes direct UV exposure. After ten to fifteen years, the rubber boot dries out, splits, and leaks into the attic. During an inspection we’ll get on the roof and check it. If it’s cracked, we replace the flashing and storm collar as a set.
- Gelco refractory panels spall and crumble after years of thermal cycling. The refractory liners inside Gelco gas fireplaces expand and contract every time you light a fire. Eventually hairline cracks open up. If a panel is cracked but still in place, it may be fine for another season. If it’s crumbled and you can see the metal firebox behind it, that’s a repair we recommend before you burn again.
- Gelco millivolt pilot assemblies clog with Austin’s hard water minerals. Austin water is hard, and if a Gelco unit has been exposed to any moisture or condensation, mineral deposits can build up on the pilot orifice and thermopile. The symptom is a fireplace that won’t stay lit, or a pilot flame that’s weak and lazy. We clean the assembly and check millivolt output. If it can’t hold a flame, we replace the pilot assembly with either OEM or a quality aftermarket equivalent, and we tell you which one we’re using and why.
- Gelco log sets crack and shift out of position. Ceramic and refractory logs take a lot of abuse. A log that’s shifted can block the flame, create soot, or direct heat where it shouldn’t go. A cracked log that holds its shape is usually cosmetic. We’ll tell you plain if a crack needs action or if it can ride.
Styles & brands we work with
Our Gelco Chimney Inspection Process
Here’s how a Gelco inspection goes when you call Ashby Chimney Austin.
- 1
You call and talk to a person. We answer 24/7. You tell us what Gelco unit you have and what you’re seeing. If you’re not sure what model you have, that’s fine. We’ll figure it out on site.
- 2
We show up in a real window and inspect from top to bottom. We check the cap, the flashing, the venting run, the firebox, the refractory panels, the log set, the gas line, and the pilot assembly. We use a camera for any part of the flue we can’t see directly.
- 3
We show you what the camera sees. You get to look at the footage yourself. If we’re recommending a repair, you’ll see the crack, the gap, the rust, or the water damage with your own eyes. Nothing gets recommended without visual evidence you can verify.
- 4
We write the price before any work starts. If something needs fixing, you get a written quote on the spot. The number on the invoice matches the number we quoted. No surprises.
- 5
We complete the repair and test it. If work is needed, we use OEM Gelco parts when it matters and quality aftermarket parts when they’re the smarter buy. We test the unit before we leave.
- 6
You get a written guarantee. Every repair carries our written guarantee. If it fails inside the guarantee period, we come back and fix it at no charge. That’s the Kingswell Guarantee, and it’s not an add-on.
What Gelco Chimney Inspection Costs in Austin
Most Gelco chimney inspections in Austin run between $149 and $249 depending on what level of inspection you need and whether we’re getting on a roof or running a camera. A Level 1 visual inspection of a clean, accessible unit sits at the lower end. A Level 2 camera inspection, which we recommend for any home purchase or if you’ve had a chimney fire, runs higher because there’s more equipment and more time involved.
| Service | Typical Austin Price Range |
|---|---|
| Level 1 visual inspection | $149 – $189 |
| Level 2 camera inspection | $199 – $249 |
| Log realignment or minor pilot cleaning | $75 – $150 (added to inspection) |
| Refractory panel replacement | $350 – $700 depending on model |
| Termination cap and flashing replacement | $275 – $525 |
What moves the price is access. A two-story chase with a steep roof costs more than a single-story with a walkable roof. Austin’s limestone soil and foundation movement also play a role, shifting venting runs out of alignment over time. Call (254) 274-4486 for an exact quote. Estimates are free, and the price we quote is the price you’ll pay.
See the difference
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After
Before
After
Before
AfterWhy Austin Homeowners Call Ashby Chimney Austin for Gelco Work
We’ve been at this since 2002, and Nathan Corliss has been inspecting chimneys in Austin for well over a decade. Homeowners from Tarrytown to Mueller know him as the guy who shows up when he says he will, names the price before he picks up a brush, and puts everything in writing. Say the price first. Explain the work. Put the promise in writing.
Our techs are background-checked and uniformed. You know exactly who’s walking into your home. We work on Gelco equipment regularly, but we also carry and repair other chimney-trade brands like DuraFlex and HeatShield, which means when a Gelco liner is paired with a DuraFlex cap or HeatShield repair material, we handle it without calling someone else. As an independent Gelco service provider, we’re not tied to the manufacturer’s sales goals. We’re tied to what’s actually safe in your home.
FAQs
No. An inspection never voids a warranty. We don’t modify your Gelco unit during an inspection, and we document everything we see with photos and video. If a warranty claim comes up later, you’ll have a record from an independent provider. That documentation often helps, not hurts. If you’re inside a warranty period, tell us, and we’ll be careful to note anything that should go back to Gelco before we touch it.
Yes, in most cases. Common Gelco parts like pilot assemblies, thermopiles, refractory panels, and termination caps are stocked by regional suppliers we order from weekly. If a part isn’t in town, we can usually have it within a few business days. If a part is discontinued, we’ll tell you honestly and talk through aftermarket options or a repair path that doesn’t require chasing an obsolete part number.
It depends on one question: is the firebox itself still sound? If the firebox, venting, and gas train are in good shape, then a new pilot assembly, log set, or refractory panel is a fraction of the cost of a replacement fireplace, and we’ll tell you to repair. If the firebox is rusted through or the venting has failed in multiple places, replacement may be the honest call. We’ll show you the camera footage and let you decide with real information, not a sales pitch.
Most inspections are completed inside an hour, and we can usually schedule within a few days. If you’re closing on a house and need a real estate inspection, tell us your timeline when you call. We’ll do our best to work with your closing date, and we’ll send the written report to you or your agent the day of the inspection. Call (254) 274-4486 and we’ll get you on the calendar.
Here’s the straight answer. A Gelco gas fireplace that’s burning clean and venting properly is safe. The risk is in what you can’t see: a cracked flue liner, a separated vent joint, or a blocked termination. Those can send combustion gases into your home instead of up the flue. That’s carbon monoxide, and it’s not something to guess about. If you can’t remember the last time your Gelco unit was looked at, get it looked at. It’s quick, it’s not expensive, and it answers the question for certain. Call (254) 274-4486 to schedule yours.
Get Your Gelco Chimney Inspected in Austin
Whether you’re in Round Rock, Cedar Park, South Austin, or anywhere else in the Austin area, we’ll come out, inspect your Gelco unit, show you exactly what’s going on, and give you a written price for any work you need. If it’s fine, we’ll tell you it’s fine. Call (254) 274-4486 today for a free estimate, and talk to a real person who can actually answer your questions.
Written by Nathan Corliss, Owner, Ashby Chimney Austin at Ashby Chimney Austin, serving Austin and nearby areas.