Cleaning and Inspection
Why Is Chimney Cleaning Important?
Professional chimney sweeping to remove soot and creosote buildup — reducing fire hazards and improving efficiency.
What Is Creosote—and Why Is It Dangerous?
Creosote is a dark, tar-like substance that forms inside chimneys when you burn wood. Creosote is extremely flammable and is the #1 cause of chimney fires. Even a small amount can ignite under high heat and lead to a fast-moving, dangerous fire inside the chimney. It accumulates in layers—from flaky to sticky to hardened glaze—and the longer you go without cleaning, the more hazardous it becomes.
BEFORE
AFTER
🔥 5 Signs You Need a Chimney Cleaning
1. Smoke Backs Up Into the Room
If smoke doesn’t rise, but rather exits into your home is often a sign of a blocked or dirty flue.
2. Strong, Unpleasant Odors
A burning or smoky smell (especially when not in use) usually means creosote buildup or trapped debris in your chimney.
3. Visible Creosote or Soot
Look inside the firebox or up the flue — if you see thick black or flaky buildup, that’s highly flammable creosote and needs to be removed ASAP.
4. Poor Fireplace Performance
A fire that’s hard to start, burns weakly, or doesn’t draw well may mean restricted airflow from a dirty chimney.
5. It’s Been Over 1–2 Years
Even if everything seems fine, if it’s been more than a year or two, a cleaning is strongly recommended for safety and efficiency — especially before or after winter.
Chimney Inspection
The purpose of a chimney inspection is to identify and reduce hazardous conditions related to fireplaces and chimneys. Our inspections provide professional observations that help protect your home and family from fire risks, poor ventilation, and structural damage.
If an inspection reveals that a chimney is not safe for use, it must be repaired, rebuilt, lined or relined, or replaced with a venting system that meets current building safety codes.
Regular inspections help ensure that your chimney is safe, code-compliant, and ready for use—whether you’re burning wood, gas, or just protecting your home from the elements.
When Should You Get an Inspection?
- Once a year (even if you don’t use your fireplace often)
- After a chimney fire, earthquake, or storm
- Before using the chimney for the season
- When buying or selling a home