Business Details
17 Years
experience
Trusted Chimney Services in Virginia Beach
A Step In Time Chimney Sweeps Chimney Sweeps has served Virginia and Maryland since 2009, delivering expert chimney cleaning, inspections, and repairs. Our A+ Better Business Bureau rating reflects our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Founded by Ray Gessner, a licensed professional engineer with advanced degrees in civil engineering, we combine technical expertise with hands-on service. Our team prioritizes safety, using thorough cleaning methods that protect homes and families. We offer comprehensive solutions, including stainless steel chimney liners, dryer vent cleaning, and structural engineering consultations.All services come with warranties, ensuring long-term reliability. Our technicians are trained to handle unique challenges posed by wood stove inserts and free-standing stoves. We maintain strict licensing and insurance standards to provide peace of mind. Customer education remains central to our mission, helping clients understand maintenance needs. With over 15 years of combined experience, we deliver value-driven service tailored to each home's requirements.
Services
Chimney Inspection
Chimney Sweeping
Dryer Vent Cleaning
Chimney Repair
Stainless Steel Liner Installation
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- We have over 15 years of combined experience in chimney services.
- Our A+ Better Business Bureau rating demonstrates proven reliability.
- Owner Ray Gessner is a licensed professional engineer with advanced degrees.
- We use thorough cleaning methods that protect homes from fire hazards.
- All services include warranties for labor and materials.
Associations and certifications
- Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Services
Chimney Inspection
Our standard chimney inspection identifies structural issues and safety hazards. Technicians perform rooftop assessments when accessible. Regular inspections prevent costly repairs and maintain insurance compliance. We recommend annual checks for optimal safety.
Chimney Sweeping
Thorough chimney sweeping removes creosote buildup and debris. We use protective drop cloths and industrial vacuums to prevent messes. Cleaning frequency depends on usage patterns and chimney type. This service extends chimney lifespan and reduces fire risks.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
Professional dryer vent cleaning removes lint accumulation from internal ducts. This improves appliance efficiency and prevents fire hazards. Our process covers entire wall-ceiling vent systems. Annual cleaning recommended for safety and energy savings.
Chimney Repair
We repair cracked, leaking, or damaged chimneys with durable materials. Services include masonry restoration and component replacement. Repairs come with 1-year labor and 10-30 year material warranties. Our engineers ensure structural integrity.
Stainless Steel Liner Installation
We install stainless steel chimney liners for superior heat resistance. These liners outperform traditional terra cotta tiles. Most installations include lifetime warranties. Proper lining improves venting efficiency and safety compliance.
People
Ray Gessner
Founder & Licensed Engineer
Ray Gessner, a Virginia-licensed professional engineer, founded A Step In Time Chimney Sweeps with expertise in structural engineering. He holds civil engineering degrees from Virginia Tech and Old Dominion University. Ray oversees technical operations and complex repairs.
Questions
What areas do you service?
We serve Virginia and Maryland, covering residential and commercial properties for chimney maintenance and repairs.
How often should chimneys be inspected?
Annual inspections are recommended, with more frequent checks for heavy usage or older systems to ensure safety compliance.
Do you offer emergency services?
We prioritize scheduled maintenance but can accommodate urgent repair needs during regular business hours.
What payment methods are accepted?
We accept major credit cards and cash payments. Payment plans may be available for extensive repair projects.
Are your technicians certified?
All technicians receive specialized training, with oversight from our licensed engineer to ensure technical accuracy and safety.
Reviews (5)
Erica Lambert
Sep 30, 2021
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Highly recommend finding another company! I hate writing bad reviews, but unfortunately our experience is not one I would want anyone else to deal with. Scheduled a chimney inspection, possible chimney cleaning and a dryer vent cleaning. Technicians showed up early, so we were off to a great start! Quickly went downhill from there. Technician didnt bring the tools for the dryer vent cleaning, told me I would have to schedule another appointment and didnt know what to charge me for the chimney inspection. Technician swore up and down the chimney was clean and great! He left, I called to schedule
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.
Jose Cervoni
Dec 18, 2017
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My experience with a Step in Time was like dealing with 2 different companies. I had an inspection and estimate performed and it went great, Scott showed, was professional, knowledgeable and personable. I felt at ease enough that we scheduled several thousand dollars of chimney repair without even getting other quotes, we just liked them. The work was scheduled a week and half later, I got a confirmation email the day before, I had emailed Scott and he replied on exactly what we wanted done, all looked good. Then on the day when the work was supposed to happen, nobody showed up. No crew, no foreman
Roger Anderson
Jul 02, 2017
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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
Cheryl Bacak
Aug 06, 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
