A Sweep and a Smile missed 3 cleaning times that were scheduled. They would notify me about an hour before they canceled for the week. When here did not perform what I wanted done. They broke a coffee cup that I had picked up at a specialty shop. They said they would send me reimbursement but...
It went well! I was selling my home in VA and the inspection indicated a problem with the chimney stack. I called several companies and only got a response from the Chimney Doctor team - they called me back on Sunday even! They had a tech out to the house within 2 days to determine the...
The Chimney Doctor Nova IncP and K pest Control sprayed my home in Mid April and by June earwigs invaded as well as some spiders. They returned to spray again but only reduced the cost by $10. Today, 8/14/2013. I killed a spider and an ant. Bugs are still coming into the basement, but they die. I just have to...
I received a bid from Maintenance Free Living Service LLC and several others. I had also been present at another house that he bid on. In both cases, I was very impressed with his (Justin's) attention to detail. He looked over the whole house and was ready to make suggestions and discuss...
I stressed that I wanted the new deck constructed exactly like the old one, 4 posts, 3 railings, no trim above the level of the deck or steps for snow removal. The new structure has one extra post , and side trim that extends above the level of the steps, making snow removal difficult; the...
The service man called and wanted to come earlier than the appointment so my husband went to meet him and let him in the house. My husband stayed with him while he did the cleaning and was not impressed with the little sweeping and vacuuming did. He took nothing apart to clean and did not...
Elmer from E&B Roofing was recommended to me by a roofing company that specializes in roofs other than ours. Â I am very pleased with their recommendation. From the beginning Elmer was very prompt and delivered as promised. Â He went out of his way to meet with me, and changed his schedule to...
Family owned. Additional E-mail - [email protected]
Family owned. Additional E-mail - [email protected]
While it’s possible to sweep your own chimney, it’s usually not a good idea for two reasons. First, inexperienced DIYers are more likely to miss areas of the chimney, which still leaves the risk of house fire due to the remaining residue. Second, chimney sweeping seems like a simple process, but it’s highly dangerous. Soot and creosote are both carcinogenic and can cause breathing issues and lung damage. If you don’t take the same safety precautions that professionals do, you could be putting yourself at risk of serious bodily harm.
You should plan to ask your chimney sweeper questions about the cleaning process they intend to use, the project timeline, and more to get a sense of which professional is right for the job:
What is your process for cleaning chimneys?
How long will the process take?
Will you protect my floors from soot and debris?
Will you do a chimney inspection, too?
Do you have certification from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) or the National Fire Institute (NFI)?
Will you need access to my roof?
The average cost for a professional chimney cleaning is around $250, but prices range from $130 to $400 or more, depending on a few factors. Some things that have an impact on your total include the size of your chimney, the number of chimneys cleaned, and how accessible the chimneys are.
In some cases, you don’t need to do anything to prepare for chimney sweeping, but professionals always appreciate leaving the area clean and easy to access. As such, it’s a good idea to move fireplace accessories like screens and fire tending tools out of the way, and lay down tarps of drop cloths around your fireplace opening to help keep your floors clean. Laying down a plastic sheet under those cloths or tarps is a good idea if your fireplace is surrounded by carpeting, just to add extra protection. Finally, secure any pets or children away from the work area.
The National Fire Prevention Agency (NFPA) recommends chimney sweeping once per year as a means of avoiding house fires and massive property damage. Over time, creosote and soot build up in your chimney from burning wood and a lack of ventilation. These compounds are both highly flammable, which means a build-up of them inside your chimney puts you at an increased risk of house fire. Chimney sweeping removes any residue and helps reduce the risk of property damage and personal injury from fire.
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Chimney sweep costs can be dramatically affected by the type of chimney, its location, and how dirty it is.
Your chimney sweep may not wear a top hat and dance on the ceiling, but they will keep your home safe by providing chimney inspections and cleanings. Follow these steps to learn how to hire a qualified and trusted chimney sweep in your town.
A clean chimney can reduce your risk of poor indoor air quality and house fires. Use this guide on how to clean a chimney to keep you and your family safe.
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Regular chimney cleaning keeps your fireplace running safety and efficiently. But who cleans chimneys? Our guide explains which pro is best for the job.
Knowing how to use a creosote sweeping log for additional maintenance in between your annual chimney sweep can help keep your home safe from fires.
