Business Details
17 Years
experience
Trusted Chimney Cleaning & Repair Services in Virginia Beach
A Step in Time Chimney Sweeps has served Virginia and Maryland for over 15 years, specializing in chimney cleaning, inspections, and repairs. Founded by Ray Gessner, a licensed professional engineer with advanced degrees in civil engineering, our team combines technical expertise with hands-on experience to ensure safety and compliance. We offer comprehensive services including video inspections, stainless steel chimney liners, dryer vent cleaning, and structural engineering assessments. Our technicians prioritize thoroughness, using protective measures to maintain clean homes during service.With an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, we emphasize transparency, warranties on labor and materials, and customer education about chimney maintenance. Our pricing reflects the complexity of each job, with additional fees for wood stove inserts and free-standing stoves. We maintain strict licensing and insurance standards while providing personalized solutions for residential chimney systems.
Services
Chimney Inspection
Chimney Sweeping
Dryer Vent Cleaning
Chimney Repair
Stainless Steel Chimney Liner
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of experience in chimney maintenance and structural engineering
- Our owner is a licensed professional engineer with advanced civil engineering degrees
- We provide thorough cleaning with protective measures to maintain home cleanliness
- We offer comprehensive warranties on labor and materials
- We maintain an A+ Better Business Bureau rating for customer trust
Associations and certifications
- Better Business Bureau
Services
Chimney Inspection
Our chimney inspection service identifies structural issues and safety hazards through visual assessments. Technicians examine flues, liners, and exterior components to detect cracks, leaks, or blockages. We recommend annual inspections to maintain insurance compliance and prevent fire risks while providing detailed reports for necessary repairs.
Chimney Sweeping
Professional chimney sweeping removes creosote buildup and debris using specialized brushes and vacuums. Our technicians protect interiors with drop cloths while cleaning flues thoroughly. Regular maintenance prevents dangerous chimney fires and ensures proper ventilation for heating appliances.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
Dryer vent cleaning eliminates lint accumulation in exhaust systems to reduce fire hazards. We clean entire vent lines through walls and ceilings, improving dryer efficiency and extending appliance lifespan. Annual cleanings maintain optimal airflow and safety standards for residential laundry systems.
Chimney Repair
Chimney repair services address cracks, leaks, and structural damage using durable materials. We provide 1-year labor warranties and 10-year to lifetime product guarantees. Our engineers assess damage severity to implement long-lasting solutions that restore chimney functionality and safety compliance.
Stainless Steel Liner
Stainless steel chimney liner installation improves heat resistance and durability compared to traditional materials. Our certified technicians fit corrosion-resistant liners with lifetime warranties, enhancing chimney efficiency and safety while meeting modern building code requirements for residential heating systems.
People
Ray Gessner
Founder/Owner
Ray Gessner, licensed professional engineer and founder, holds civil engineering degrees from Virginia Tech and Old Dominion University. With over 20 years of experience, he oversees technical operations and provides expert structural assessments for chimney systems across Virginia and Maryland.
Questions
How often should chimneys be inspected?
We recommend annual chimney inspections to maintain safety and insurance compliance, with more frequent checks for heavy usage or visible issues.
What causes chimney fires?
Chimney fires typically result from creosote buildup igniting. Regular cleaning and proper wood-burning practices significantly reduce this fire hazard in residential chimneys.
Do you offer emergency services?
While we don't provide 24/7 emergency services, we prioritize urgent repair requests during regular business hours for critical safety issues.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept major credit cards and checks for our chimney services. Payment arrangements must be confirmed before scheduling appointments.
Are your technicians certified?
Our team includes licensed professionals with engineering expertise and industry certifications for chimney maintenance and structural assessments.
Reviews (4)
Reid Legg
Nov 26, 2018
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Step In Time responded quickly to my requests, refurbished and certified my chimney with zero hassle. The price came out to almost half of their competitor and the work was completed in one afternoon. Very good service from Mike and his crew.
Roger Anderson
May 17, 2018
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I consider the work done by Step-in-Time to be a complete rip off. Tried to do charge me for unneeded work ie seal the tops of our chimeys which had been already previously lsealed, and reparge the inside of our fireplace. Work that had not been discussed. Most importantly they sent three workers to clean some moss off one chimney and water seal it and a second chimney. Clearly, tis work could have been by one person, maybe 2.
Lot of standing around doing nothing. The work took 2 hours to complete. heck I paid them more than I pay my lawyer! Don't hire this company! I have no complaints about the work crew. they were honest and believe would have worked if there was work that really needed to be done.
Lot of standing around doing nothing. The work took 2 hours to complete. heck I paid them more than I pay my lawyer! Don't hire this company! I have no complaints about the work crew. they were honest and believe would have worked if there was work that really needed to be done.
Jim Poplawski
May 02, 2017
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Step in Time did a great job in replacing the liner in my chimney as well as repairing my roof. Scott took the time to explain what needed to be done and made sure that everything was complete and the whole area was cleaned up before they left. He and his crew were on time, professional, and polite. I would recommend them to anyone needing these services.
Cheryl Bacak
Dec 26, 2016
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We initially hired A Step in Time to make some minor repairs on our chimney. They contractor, Damien, and the owner, Scott, were unlike any other I have experienced. They communicated with us from start to finish. They were thorough and professional. During this time, we learned our roof needed to be replaced as well. Once we found out this company also had a roofing division, we hired them. We could not be happier.
The service and professionalism from start to finish is unmatched. We had a couple of "punch list" items following the completion of our roof, that were addressed and rectified immediately. We gladly and highly recommend A Step in Time to anyone and will use them if needed again in the future.
The service and professionalism from start to finish is unmatched. We had a couple of "punch list" items following the completion of our roof, that were addressed and rectified immediately. We gladly and highly recommend A Step in Time to anyone and will use them if needed again in the future.
