Services / Chimney Sweeping
Chimney Sweeping for Puget Sound Homes
Creosote and soot removed from top to bottom, with your home kept clean while we work.
- Typical visit
- 30 minutes to an hour
- How often
- Yearly if you burn wood regularly
- Easiest to book
- Spring and summer
A Clean Flue Is a Safer Fire
Every wood fire leaves creosote on the inside of the flue. It builds up over a season, it burns, and enough of it can start a chimney fire. A sweep removes that buildup along with soot and debris so smoke can leave the house the way it should.
Signs Your Chimney Needs Sweeping
- It has been a year or more since the last sweep
- Smoke drifts back into the room
- A strong smoky or tar smell from the fireplace, especially in damp weather
- Black, flaky, or shiny buildup you can see inside the firebox or flue
- Fires that are hard to start or burn poorly
- Soot or debris falling into the firebox
What a Sweep Includes
We cover the work area before any brush goes up the flue.
We brush the full length of the flue to remove creosote and soot.
We clean the areas above and around the firebox where buildup collects.
Vacuums built for soot keep dust out of the room.
Your technician checks the visible parts of the chimney and tells you what they see.
How It Works
- We protect the room.Drop cloths and shoe covers go down first.
- We sweep and vacuum.The flue, smoke chamber, and firebox are cleaned.
- We check and explain.Your technician shows you photos of anything that needs attention.
- We clean up.We leave the room the way we found it.
Before Your Visit
- Don't burn for 24 hours before the visit
- Clear furniture and decorations from around the hearth
- Keep pets in another room while we work
- Tell us about any smoke, smell, or draft problems you have noticed
What Affects the Cost
- How much buildup is in the flue
- The height of the chimney and how it is reached
- The type of appliance: open fireplace, insert, or stove
- Whether an insert has to be pulled out to clean behind it
If we find heavy buildup or damage, you get a written estimate before any extra work.
Related Services
A sweep pairs well with a yearly check. See Chimney Inspections.
If your technician finds worn mortar or a cracked crown, see Chimney Repair & Masonry.
Common Questions
- How often should my chimney be swept?
- Fire safety standards call for an inspection every year, with cleaning as needed. If you burn wood regularly, plan on a sweep each year.
- How long does a sweep take?
- Most cleanings take between 30 minutes and an hour.
- Will it make a mess?
- No. We cover the work area and use vacuums built to contain soot and dust.
- When is the best time to book?
- Fall and winter fill up fast, so spring and summer are the easiest times to get on the schedule.
- Do I need to do anything beforehand?
- Don't burn for 24 hours before the visit, and clear the area around the hearth.
Serving the Greater Seattle and Puget Sound region.