WHAT IS CHIMNEY SWEEPING?
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Chimney sweeping is critical to maintaining the integrity of your chimney. Having your chimney cleaned and any blockages removed will improve draft and provide free passage of the byproducts of combustion from your home. Regularly removing flammable deposits of soot and creosote will also help prevent chimney fires. A poorly maintained, deteriorating, or dirty chimney poses a risk to your home and to your family. An annual chimney sweep is affordable, especially when compared with the potential cost of not doing so.
Looking for flue cleaning instead? Visit our flue cleaning service page. The main aim of chimney sweeping is the removal of creosote. Creosote is a black tar-like substance that forms as a byproduct of burning wood. Over time, it coats the inside of your chimney and becomes a fire hazard. Regular chimney cleaning will help rid its interior of this dangerous buildup. In addition, chimney sweeping typically removes any debris or blockages, which can occur even in an unused chimney--often the result of animals nesting, and the absence of a chimney cap. For further reading: 5 Reasons to Consider an Annual Chimney Cleaning and Inspection. |
*Please note that we do not service, repair, or clean gas fireplaces or gas fireplace chimneys in any way. Just 'ye olde' wood-burning chimneys.
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THE SERVICE
During the chimney sweeping service, the technician will do the following:
- Sweep flue free of creosote buildup from the bottom up (through the fireplace) using a flexible-rod, steel-wire brush.
- Remove debris with a HEPA-filter vacuum.
- Perform Level 1 Inspection for repair issues or potential hazards from ground level.
THE PROCESS
Our standard method of chimney sweeping is the "bottom-up" method, from below through the fireplace, rather than from above through the chimney, for reasons of efficiency. The technician will do the following:
Various DIY chimney-sweeping methods can be found online, and though these can be performed with some success, preventive measures can also go quite a long way, such as burning the right type of wood and installing a chimney cap.
- Place a tarp around the fireplace and hook up a HEPA vacuum to minimize mess.
- With the vacuum running, the technician inserts a wire brush attached to long, flexible fiberglass poles into the chimney flue, cleaning the inner walls by moving the brush up and down.
- Finally the technician vacuums up the soot and debris and inspects the fireplace, damper, and smoke shelf to ensure everything is in working order.
Various DIY chimney-sweeping methods can be found online, and though these can be performed with some success, preventive measures can also go quite a long way, such as burning the right type of wood and installing a chimney cap.
OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Fireplace Chimney Sweeping $149.95
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Traditional wood-burning fireplace chimney. Pricing is for a singular chimney. Please note that no two fireplaces ever share the same flue (though they may share the same exterior chimney structure). The cost for any additional flue beyond the first is $119.95 with our $30 multiple services discount applied. The number of wood-burning chimneys within the home is indicated by the number of fireplaces.
Traditional fireplace chimneys are characterized by open stone. |
Wood Stove Chimney Sweeping $199.95
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Free standing wood stove or wood stove insert chimney. Pricing is for a singular chimney. The cost for any additional wood stove chimney beyond the first is $169.95 with our $30 multiple services discount applied.
Wood stoves are metal and propped upon a hearth. Wood stoves can also inserted in the once-functioning open fireplaces. *Due to certain expertise necessary for service, online scheduling is not available for wood stove chimney cleanings. Please call, text, or email to schedule. |
Fireplace Insert Sweeping $199.95
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Fireplace Insert Chimney. Pricing is for a singular chimney. The cost for any additional fireplace insert chimney beyond the first is $169.95 with our $30 multiple services discount applied.
Fireplace insert chimneys are characterized by a glass door (or glass doors) that shut tightly with a rope gasket on the inside and a heavy duty lever that must be turned and pulled open with considerable effort. They are typically encased in a traditional-looking brick fireplace. *Due to certain expertise necessary for service, online scheduling is not available for wood stove chimney cleanings. Please call, text, or email to schedule. |
Optional Rooftop Inspection $50.00
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This add-on service can be added to any of our different chimney sweeping options:
Please note that this is not the same as a chimney repair estimate (which itemizes the cost repair the chimney). A separate appointment is required for this. Online booking is not available for this add-on, so please call, text, or email to schedule. |
NOT-SO-FINE PRINT
- Service is applicable to wood-burning chimneys only; we do not service gas chimneys or gas fireplaces in anyway.
- If disassembly is required for cleaning, additional charges may apply.
- Service does not include emptying of ash pit or cleaning of the firebox (or any component beyond the flue).
- Service does not include educating customers on how to use their fireplace/chimney. While our technicians may be happy to answer questions to the best of their abilities while in the home, it is the responsibility of the customer to source their own helpful information.
- Because of the additional labor and equipment wear resulting from the removal of pre-existing ashes and unburned wood from the firebox, this removal is not included in the cost of the service. You can either remove this debris yourself before our technician's arrival, or our technician can possibly perform this task for an additional charge determined at the time of service.
- A Level 1 Inspection does not have the authority to certify a chimney as "safe to use" or operationally sound.
- The technician does not use a camera/scope during a Level 1 Inspection.
- A certification or report document is not issued with a Level 1 Inspection. It is simply an invoice stating the inspection was completed and whether any major issues were found. If no issues were found, then no additional notes will be added.
- Please note that our technicians specialize in chimney cleaning and conducting the Level 1 Inspection only, thus the service is limited to these aspects. While our technicians may be happy to answer questions to the best of their abilities while in the home, they are not experts in the overall functioning of chimneys.
- Please note that for any sale of a home, a Level 2 inspection is required to determine that chimney is operationally sound. A Level 1 Inspection is not sufficient for this as it does not have the authority to determine a chimney's internal operational status. Please note that we do our best to educate customers about this, however, it is the responsibility of the customer to ensure they choose the correct service.
RECOMMENDED FREQUENCY
Several factors determine how often you should have your chimney and fireplace or wood stove cleaned, including the frequency of use, the type and dryness of wood burned, and the temperature of the resulting fire. Typically, the dryer and harder the wood and the hotter the fire, the less creosote buildup results. Creosote is highly flammable and has the potential to create dangerous chimney fires.
Most experts agree you should have your chimney or wood stove cleaned approximately every 50 fires and have it inspected every 2 years—even if you don't use it. A chimney that is not inspected regularly may deteriorate quickly and end up being a very costly repair. Best time to do it? In the spring or summer, for several reasons, including off-season availability, ice-free rooftops, and leaving time to complete any necessary repairs before the burning season begins.
Most experts agree you should have your chimney or wood stove cleaned approximately every 50 fires and have it inspected every 2 years—even if you don't use it. A chimney that is not inspected regularly may deteriorate quickly and end up being a very costly repair. Best time to do it? In the spring or summer, for several reasons, including off-season availability, ice-free rooftops, and leaving time to complete any necessary repairs before the burning season begins.
CHIMNEY CAPS
Every chimney needs a cap. Without one, the interior of your chimney is subject to deterioration from rain, snow, and other elements. A chimney cap also prevents birds, rodents, and other wildlife from entering your chimney. Our technician can properly install or replace a chimney cap or furnace flue cap for you at a cost of $150. Learn more.
READY TO SCHEDULE?
Call us at 612-558-1737 or click the button below to schedule online (and save $10).
MULTIPLE SERVICES DISCOUNT
Save money by grouping services. Purchase one service and receive $30 off every additional service performed on the same visit. (Not available with promotional pricing.)