About Top Hatter
Who Is Top Hatter Chimney Sweep
Top Hatter Chimney Sweep is a family-operated chimney sweeping and inspection company based in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. We have been serving homeowners in Chester and Montgomery Counties since 1978. We specialize in chimney sweeping, chimney inspections, video chimney scanning, chimney caps, and chimney top dampers.
Top Hatter Chimney Sweep was founded in 1978 by Bill Donnell, giving us a long history of serving local homeowners throughout the area for nearly five decades. During the energy crisis of the 1970s, rising fuel costs led many homeowners to explore wood-burning as an alternative heat source. Metal shops began producing woodstoves, and brands from Norway and Denmark arrived to meet the demand. As wood heating grew, the need for professional chimney sweeping and maintenance grew with it. That wave of wood burning launched the modern chimney sweep industry in the United States, and Top Hatter has been part of it from the early days.
Experienced Chimney Professionals
Bryan Donnell joined the business in 2004 and is a Certified Chimney Professional through the National Chimney Sweep Guild and serves as Top Hatter’s chief certified chimney technician. The NCSG was formed in 1977 and helps set industry standards and provides recognized credentials for chimney technicians.
We combine decades of hands-on chimney experience with modern inspection technology to help homeowners understand the condition of their chimney system.
Our Approach to Chimney Service
We believe homeowners deserve an honest assessment if their chimney. When we inspect your chimney, we explain what we find and bring potential safety, maintenance, or performance concerns to your attention.
We do not perform masonry repairs or chimney liner installations. By specializing in chimney sweeping and inspections, we can provide an independent assessment of your chimney’s condition. If a repair or additional service is needed, we’ll explain what we found so you can make an informed decision..
Our work is guided by careful attention to detail, respect for your property, and a commitment to do the job safely and thoroughly.
Thorough Chimney Inspections
A chimney inspection is more than simply looking up the chimney flue. We use specialized equipment, including video scanning technology, to examine the interior of the chimney when a closer inspection is needed. Video scanning can help identify hidden defects or conditions that may not be visible during a standard visual inspection.
Our chimney inspections are performed with applicable industry standards and building-code requirements in mind including NFPA 211 and the International Residential Code.
Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of the condition of your chimney and help identify potential problems before they become more serious
Nobody wants chimney soot and dust throughout their home. Dealing with soot in the house requires special care and equipment which is why we use a specialized vacuum to contain the dust and soot produced during the cleaning process. We take care to protect your home and leave the work area clean when the job is finished.
Our job is to understand the chimney system, clean it properly, inspect it carefully, and explain our findings.
Professional Cleaning Without The Mess
Top Hatter Now and Then
After 39 years working in the chimneys, Bill now manages the Top Hatter office. His experience remain important part of the knowledge and history behind the business
Top Hatter of yesteryear
Bryan continues Top Hatter’s tradition of professional chimney service, combining more than 22 years of hands-on experience with modern inspection technology.
Top Hatter Today
Service areas of Chester County, Pa and Montgomery County, PA
Pottstown, Gilbertsville, Douglassville, Boyertown,
Schwenksville, Collegeville, Norristown, Chester Springs, Royersford, Spring City, Phoenixville, Downingtown, Exton, Glenmoore, Elverson, and surrounding communities.