Keeping Ridgewood's Historic Homes Safe and Warm
Ridgewood is one of Bergen County's most desirable villages, known for its walkable downtown, excellent schools, and a residential character defined by tree-lined streets and beautifully maintained older homes. The village stretches across zip codes 07450 and 07451, with neighborhoods like Upper Ridgewood, the Heights, Hawes area, and Willard offering a rich mix of Colonial Revivals, Tudors, Craftsman bungalows, and stately Victorians. A large number of these homes were built in the early-to-mid 1900s, and most of them include one or more masonry chimneys that have been in service for decades.
Santa's Sweepers LLC delivers full-service chimney sweep and repair work to Ridgewood homeowners. Our team understands how older chimneys age over time and what it takes to keep them functioning properly. From routine cleanings to major masonry restoration, we bring the right tools, the right approach, and years of hands-on experience to every job in the village.
The housing stock in Ridgewood leans heavily toward pre-war and mid-century construction. That means many chimneys were built with materials and techniques from an earlier era. Clay tile flue liners, lime-based mortar, and unlined chimneys are all things we encounter regularly when working on homes near Van Neste Square, along Ridgewood Avenue, and in the neighborhoods surrounding Graydon Pool. These older systems need consistent attention to remain safe.
Ridgewood winters are cold and long. Most homeowners here use their fireplaces heavily from late October through early April. That six-month stretch of burning produces a significant amount of creosote inside the flue. Creosote is a tar-like substance that forms when wood smoke cools and condenses on the interior walls of the chimney. At Stage 1, it is a dusty residue that sweeps away easily. By Stage 3, it becomes a dense, glazed coating that is extremely flammable and very difficult to remove without professional-grade equipment.
Beyond creosote, the freeze-thaw cycle that hits Bergen County every winter takes a toll on masonry. Water enters small cracks in the chimney crown or mortar joints, freezes overnight, expands, and creates larger openings. Over several seasons, this process can cause bricks to spall, mortar to crumble, and the entire chimney structure to shift or lean. Catching these issues early with an annual inspection saves Ridgewood homeowners from much larger repair bills down the road.
Santa's Sweepers provides the following services to homes and properties throughout Ridgewood:
Spalling Bricks on Older Chimneys: Many Ridgewood homes near Schedler Park and along North Maple Avenue have chimneys that are 70 to 100 years old. Bricks on these chimneys absorb moisture over the decades, and the freeze-thaw cycle causes the face of the brick to pop off, a condition called spalling. We replace damaged bricks and apply waterproofing to prevent further deterioration.
Failed Flue Liners: Original clay tile liners in many Ridgewood homes have cracked or separated at the joints over time. A damaged liner allows heat and combustion gases to reach the wooden framing around the chimney, creating a serious fire hazard. We install new stainless steel liners to restore safe operation.
Flashing Failures: The intersection where the chimney meets the roofline is a common entry point for water. We frequently repair and replace chimney flashing on Ridgewood homes, especially after heavy storms or when homeowners notice water stains on ceilings near the chimney.
Nesting Animals: Ridgewood's mature trees and green spaces mean plenty of wildlife, including raccoons, squirrels, and chimney swifts, that see an uncapped chimney as an ideal home. We remove nests, clean the flue, and install chimney caps to solve the problem permanently.
The Village of Ridgewood sits in the northeast corner of Bergen County, bordered by Glen Rock, Wyckoff, Midland Park, Ho-Ho-Kus, and Waldwick. With a population of about 25,000, it is one of the most sought-after communities in Northern New Jersey for families. The downtown district along East Ridgewood Avenue is filled with shops, restaurants, and local businesses, and landmarks like the Ridgewood Train Station, the Woman's Club of Ridgewood, and Habernickel Park give the village a sense of history and community that residents take pride in.
The neighborhoods of Ridgewood each have their own personality. Upper Ridgewood features larger lots and some of the village's most impressive homes. The Hawes and Stevens areas offer charming Colonials and Cape Cods on quiet streets. Along Prospect Street and around the schools, the housing is dense with well-kept properties that have been loved for generations. Nearly all of these homes share one thing in common: a chimney that needs regular professional care.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends yearly chimney inspections and cleanings. Ridgewood homeowners who burn wood regularly from October through April should have their chimney serviced every fall before the first fire of the season.
Santa's Sweepers provides chimney cleaning, chimney inspection, chimney repair, chimney relining, chimney cap installation, chimney waterproofing, dryer vent cleaning, and fireplace repair to Ridgewood and all of Bergen County.
A chimney cleaning with visual inspection starts at $199. Standalone inspections begin at $99. Dryer vent cleaning starts at $129. We always provide upfront pricing and free repair estimates.
Absolutely. Chimney leaks are one of the most common calls we get from Ridgewood homeowners. We diagnose the source of the leak, whether it is a damaged crown, worn flashing, or deteriorated masonry, and provide a lasting repair.
Ready to get your chimney cleaned, inspected, or repaired? Call Santa's Sweepers at (551) 227-7111 or request your appointment online. We proudly serve Ridgewood and all of Bergen County.
In addition to Ridgewood, Santa's Sweepers provides chimney services throughout Northern New Jersey, including nearby communities like Paramus, Hackensack, Englewood Cliffs, Teaneck, Montclair, Wayne, Glen Rock, Wyckoff, and Ho-Ho-Kus. View all service areas.