Chimney Cleaning
Our chimney service concerns the cleaning of:
- Masonry Fireplaces
- Pre-Fabricated Fireplaces
- Wood Stoves
- Gas & Oil Heating/Furnace Flues
We employ Certified Chimney Sweeps¹ for our chimney service work. Every chimney cleaning includes a Level I safety inspection as dictated by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This covers the clearance to combustible materials around all fireplaces, the condition of the venting system components (firebox, damper, smoke chamber, smoke shelf, and flue) and the condition of the outside chimney structure as well; whether it be a brick, stone, or pre-fab chimney. A full safety inspection report is written and a copy is left with the customer detailing the work performed and any recommendations or suggestions we have.
How does the actual cleaning process work?
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Drop cloths are laid down in front of your fireplace to serve as our work area and to protect your floor. “Runner” drop cloths are also laid down to form a path from the front door to our work area. |
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In the case of inclement weather or muddy conditions, our technicians will wear protective boot covers in addition to our drop cloths. |
| Our work area will consist of a high powered soot vacuum (used to control dust), buckets, and our cleaning tools. |  |
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Firebacks, andirons, and fireplace grates are removed from your firebox and placed on a drop cloth. |
| Properly sized chimney brushes will be pushed through the flue, from top to bottom (or bottom to top where applicable) to loosen creosote deposits and/or blockages in the flue. |  |
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Soot deposits and dust fall onto the smoke shelf or otherwise remain within the confines of the firebox, controlled by the high powered soot vacuum. A drop cloth is generally held against the firebox opening as an extra precaution. |
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Creosote deposits in the smoke chamber are removed with mechanical tools. The smoke shelf is cleaned and vacuumed. Note: Pre-fabricated fireplaces have neither a smoke chamber or smoke shelf, resulting in a faster cleaning process. |
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The firebox is brushed clean with wire brushes and the damper operation is double checked (where applicable). And yes, we can fix your damper’s mechanical problems! Usually only some adjusting, lubrication, or new cotter pin is necessary. |
| Ash, creosote, debris, and dust are removed from your home in buckets. |  |
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Your fireplace accessories are replaced and our work area is removed from your home. The chimney cleaning process generally takes 25 – 45 minutes. View our FAQ page for answers to common fireplace questions. |
What about wood stoves and fireplace inserts?
- Wood stove inserts — All of the before mentioned steps are performed in addition to “pulling” the wood stove. This involves removing the stove from the firebox, so that the smoke chamber and smoke shelf can be accessed. Pulling the wood stove is not necessary when a Positive Connect stainless steel lining system is installed for venting the stove. Direct Connect lining systems venting into the smoke chamber still require pulling the wood stove from the firebox.
- Free-standing wood stoves — These stove installations generally do not involve a firebox. There are stove pipes leading from the wood stove directly into the flue itself. The chimney flue and stove pipes are cleaned with properly sized brushes, and the inside of the stove is also cleaned and vacuumed.
…as applied to wood burning stoves only!
- Certified Chimney Sweeps keep abreast of the current developments and the technology of their trade. They are knowledgeable about the most recent National Fire Protection Association standards as well as the specifics of state and local codes covering their geographic area. In order to ensure a verifiable level of expertise within the trade, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) administers the Certified Chimney Sweep Program.