Chimney Sweep & Cleaning

At least once a year. The National Fire Protection Association calls for a yearly inspection of every chimney, fireplace and vent, with cleaning whenever it is needed. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) sets the cleaning trigger at 1/8 inch of soot or creosote on the flue walls. If you burn daily through the cold months, go through more than a cord of wood, or burn softwood or damp wood, plan on a second sweep partway through the burning season.

The common signs are a smoky or tar-like smell from the fireplace (often stronger in humid weather), smoke drifting into the room, fires that are hard to start or keep lit, black flakes or debris dropping into the firebox, and a dark, shiny or crusty layer on the damper or flue walls. If it has been more than a year since your last sweep, it is due even if none of these have shown up yet.

A standard sweep of one well-kept flue usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour, including setup, the cleaning itself, a visual inspection and cleanup. Heavy buildup, an animal nest, multiple flues, a wood stove or a tall home can stretch that to two or three hours.

It should not be. Our technicians wear boot covers in your home, lay drop cloths over the hearth and floor, close off the fireplace opening, and run a chimney-specific HEPA filter vacuum the whole time the brushes are working, so soot goes into the vacuum and not into your living room. Most homeowners are surprised by how clean the room is when we leave.

You can, and it is legal in most places. A straight, single flue with light powdery soot is a reasonable job for a homeowner who owns the right size brush and rods and is safe on a roof. What a do-it-yourself sweep misses is the inspection: cracked flue tiles, a damaged crown, a failing liner or glazed creosote that a brush cannot remove. If you see shiny, hardened buildup, have a steep roof, or have not had a professional look in a few years, book a professional sweep.

Partly. Sweeping logs release minerals that dry out soft creosote so it turns flaky and brushes off more easily. They do not remove anything from the chimney, they cannot break down hard glazed creosote, and the loosened flakes can pile up on the smoke shelf. They are a helpful extra between visits, not a replacement for a sweep and inspection.

They need a yearly check, though usually not a traditional sweep. Gas burns clean and does not create creosote, but the vent can still be blocked by nests, leaves or debris, and gas exhaust carries moisture that can corrode the liner over time. A blocked or damaged vent can push carbon monoxide back into the house, so a yearly inspection is still worth it.

A loud roaring or rumbling sound, often compared to a freight train, dense smoke or sparks shooting from the chimney top, and a strong, hot smell. If you suspect one, get everyone out of the house and call 911 right away. Close the fireplace doors and damper only if you can do it safely. Do not use the fireplace again until the chimney has been inspected, because a chimney fire can crack flue tiles and damage the liner.

It depends on the number of flues, the type of appliance (open fireplace, insert, wood stove or gas), how much buildup there is and what stage it has reached, how easy the roof is to access, and whether you add a camera inspection. Every job is quoted up front. Contact us for a personalized estimate.