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.