• Fireplaces (wood and gas)
• Woodstoves and wood inserts
• Pellet stoves
• Coal Stoves
• Oil and gas heaters, boilers and furnaces

1. Animals can get inside chimneys and get stuck or build nests.
2. Masonry deterioration can result in brick collapse and a blocked or poorly drafting flue. Or masonry debris can drift downward and gradually mount up to and close off the lowest thimble hole.
3. Processes of deterioration can reach a point where they are suddenly evident and threatening.This requires early warning regarding unsafe conditions, important repairs and preventative measures needed. Regular inspections solve this problem.
   

Our sweep staff are experienced, carefully trained and certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. They have a wide range of chimney know-how or can put you in touch with other staff specialists for complicated or extreme situations. They are happy to explain their findings and recommendations and summarize what they have done at your house — with a smile and without rushing you. Don't hesitate to express any of your concerns to them!

A chimney cleaning usually results also in a thorough evaluation of all the key facets of your chimney, including use of a 35 point checklist, and photographs to show you what conditions at the top are like (We usually go on the roof to complete our evaluation, unless access is too difficult, the weather is horrible or if you prefer that we don't. We are well insured, of course.). The checklist will be discussed with you, and you will be asked to sign it to acknowledge that you understand our basic findings. Specific recommendations may be noted on the checklist and/or on a separate estimate form, usually with expected costs for each repair or upgrade. A video camera may be used to verify or clarify observed damages. Videoscanning may cost extra, which will be cleared with you ahead of time.

Most chimney cleanings cost our standard $195.00 per flue, with a $10.00 discount for an additional flue on the same chimney, and a $10.00 discount during our spring and summer promotional period. Ask your sweep about these discounts if he/she doesn't include them in your billing.

Some extra difficult or complex venting hookups (especially a woodstove or wood insert in a fireplace) will result in additional charges. Ask our office or your sweep to clarify any unusual combinations or situations.

Techniques

Standard sweeping techniques will utilize brushes of varying sizes and stiffness mounted on detachable rods — fiberglass or polypropylene. In addition, stubborn glaze or odd flue configurations will require motorized rotary equipment, including plastic whips and steel chains. Severe glaze may require a major "rotokleen", with additional charges applying. You will always be consulted regarding extras like this.

Your sweep may also recommend the use of chemical additives to your fires to soften severe glazed creosote deposits caused by your woodstove — along with some tips that might be helpful for promoting cleaner burning. An inexpensive magnetic thermometer often plays a key role also in improving burning patterns. Our sweeps have thermometers and appropriate, easy-to-apply chemicals.

1. Discount rates apply.
2. We are less busy and it's easier for you to get a convenient time more to your choice.
3. Creosote and sooty deposits often smell in damp summer air; and the longer such damp deposits stay in your chimney, the more acid deterioration takes place.
4. The weather is more friendly for servicing your chimney.
5. Our various staff, being less jammed schedule-wise, can accommodate your repair needs more quickly before the weather turns to winter.
   

Being Your Own Sweep

We encourage people who want to do their own inspections and sweeping! We are glad to advise you in general and specifically help you procure any tools you might need, like an inspetion mirror and brushes and rods. We still recommend that you enlist us from time-to-time to give you a little professional "double-check!"