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.
Famco Fireplace Services in Alpharetta: What to Know First
We provide independent Famco fireplace services across Alpharetta, from routine gas fireplace tune-ups to firebox rebuilds on wood-burning units. Most Famco jobs book within a week, and every repair starts with a written price before any work begins - no exceptions. If you own a Famco gas insert, zero-clearance fireplace, or damper assembly in Alpharetta, we stock common parts and can typically diagnose and quote in a single visit. Call (678) 679-0171 to schedule - estimates are free, and you’ll get a text when your tech is on the way.
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 Famco Products Fail - and How We Fix Them
We’ve worked on enough Famco units in Alpharetta to know where they tend to break. Here are the patterns we see most often:
- Famco FV36 and FV42 gas inserts - failed ignition modules. These units use a Fenwal-style ignition control that degrades faster in Alpharetta’s humidity swings, especially in homes near the Chattahoochee River corridor where basement installs see more moisture. We test the module under load, and if it’s the culprit, we quote a factory-spec replacement or a proven aftermarket equivalent - your choice, with the warranty difference explained in writing.
- Famco top-sealing dampers - cable fray and frame corrosion. The stainless cable on Famco’s chimney-top dampers can seize after 8-12 years, particularly if the cap above it was ever missing or damaged. We camera the flue first to check for debris that caused the binding, then replace the cable assembly or recommend a full damper swap if the frame is warped from heat cycling.
- Famco wood-burning fireboxes - refractory panel cracking. The factory refractory panels in older Famco wood units (pre-2015) weren’t built for the thermal shock of Georgia pine, which burns fast and hot. We measure the cracks against NFPA 211 standards; hairlines under 1/8 inch get monitored, anything through-panel gets replaced with HeatShield refractory or matched OEM panels depending on availability and your budget.
- Famco direct-vent fireplaces - venting blockages from builder-grade terminations. Alpharetta’s mature neighborhoods, especially off Webb Bridge Road and near Wills Park, have Famco units installed with low-profile terminations that clog with leaf litter and cottonwood seed. We pull the termination, scope the vent run with a camera, and clear it - or upsize to a high-wind cap if the original spec was undersized for the lot’s tree cover.
- Famco blower assemblies - motor bearing failure and noisy operation. The OEM blower on Famco gas units is a sealed motor that can’t be rebuilt cost-effectively. We carry aftermarket replacements from the Haven buying network that match CFM and amperage, typically at 30-40% below OEM list. We test both options side by side so you hear the difference before deciding.
Our Famco Fireplace Services Process

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Call and schedule. A live person answers, 24/7. We book a window, text you the tech’s name and photo, and send another text when they’re en route - Haven Standard Clause 2, “Arrive on schedule.”
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Level 2 inspection with camera. We run a camera down the flue or inspect the firebox and gas train, depending on the unit. You see what we see. The camera doesn’t soften anything, and neither do I.
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Written diagnosis and price. Before any tool touches your Famco unit, you get a written scope, a written price, and a written warranty - Haven Standard Clause 1, “Have it in writing.” No verbal quotes, no surprises.
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Parts decision. If your Famco needs a component, we show you OEM and quality aftermarket options (DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco where applicable) with the price and warranty difference for each. You choose; we don’t choose for you.
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Repair and test. We complete the work, run the unit through its full cycle, check gas pressure or draft readings, and document everything with photos - Haven Standard Clause 4, the archive practice we’ve followed since 2009.
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Cleanup and record. We leave the work area as we found it. You walk away with your written warranty, your photo record, and our direct number if anything feels off. The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers it.
Before
AfterWhat Famco Fireplace Services Costs in Alpharetta
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Gas fireplace tune-up and safety check | $189-$265 |
| Famco ignition module replacement | $340-$495 |
| Top-sealing damper cable repair | $225-$380 |
| Refractory panel replacement (per panel) | $280-$450 |
| Direct-vent termination cleaning / upgrade | $175-$340 |
| Blower motor replacement (aftermarket) | $295-$425 |
| Full firebox rebuild with liner inspection | $1,800-$3,400 |
What moves the price: accessibility (crawl-space installs cost more in labor), parts availability (discontinued Famco series may need fabrication), and whether we find secondary issues during camera inspection - a cracked flue liner behind a Famco insert, for instance, which we document and quote separately. Nothing is added without your written approval. Call (678) 679-0171 for an exact quote - estimates are free.
Why Alpharetta Homeowners Call Emberly Chimney Cleaners Alpharetta for Famco Work

We’ve inspected and cleaned more than 38,000 chimneys since 2009, and a healthy share of those have been Famco units in Alpharetta homes built during the 2005-2015 boom off Windward Parkway and near Avalon. Corrine Halstead and our crew know which Famco serial ranges shipped with the problematic ignition modules, which builder spec’d the undersized terminations, and where to source parts when Famco has discontinued a line. We’re an independent Famco service provider - not affiliated with or authorized by the manufacturer - which means we shop DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, and Copperfield through the Haven buying network to keep your prices honest. The 365-Day Done Right Promise, background-checked uniformed techs, and a documented photo record on every visit are standard, not upgrades.
FAQs
No. Famco’s warranty covers manufacturing defects, not who services the unit. As an independent Famco service provider, we use parts and practices that meet or exceed factory spec, and we document everything in writing so you have a record if a warranty claim ever arises. If you’re unsure about remaining warranty coverage, we can help you read the serial plate and calculate eligibility before we start - call (678) 679-0171.
Common Famco components - ignition modules, blower assemblies, damper cables - are on our Alpharetta truck or available next-day through our Haven network. Discontinued series may take 3-5 business days if we need to fabricate or source through secondary suppliers. We tell you the lead time in writing before you commit, and we never start a job we can’t finish promptly.
Replace when the firebox is cracked through, the flue liner is compromised, or repair costs exceed 60% of a new unit installed. Repair when the issue is isolated to a replaceable component - ignition, blower, damper - and the chassis is sound. We camera the full system and give you both numbers in writing so you can decide with real data, not pressure.
Annually, per NFPA 211, even if it looks fine. Gas fireplaces accumulate dust on burners, develop micro-cracks in logs that alter flame pattern, and can leak CO through deteriorated gaskets. We find something worth addressing on roughly 70% of “it was working fine” annual checks. The $189-$265 tune-up is cheaper than an emergency call or an ER visit.
Creosote builds, liner cracks go unseen, and the risk of chimney fire or CO intrusion rises steadily. In Alpharetta, where many Famco wood units sit unused from April to October, freeze-thaw cycles can worsen crown or liner damage before you ever light the first fall fire. We find dormant issues every October that became expensive because they sat all summer. Call (678) 679-0171 to book before burning season - estimates are free.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner, Emberly Chimney Cleaners Alpharetta at Emberly Chimney Cleaners Alpharetta, serving Alpharetta and nearby areas.





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