Who Cleans Chimneys?

Everyone loves gathering around a cozy fire, and to make sure those toasty nights don’t go up in flames (literally), it’s important to make sure that your chimney is clean and clear of soot and debris. But, who cleans chimneys, and which pro is the best one to call? In this guide, we’ll go in-depth into who you should hire to sweep your chimney and what you can expect from the process.

Benefits of Hiring a Chimney Sweep

Hiring a local chimney sweep pro means the job will be done safely, neatly, and thoroughly. A professional chimney sweep will also do a thorough inspection of your fireplace and chimney and will alert you to any maintenance issues that need attention. They can also give you pointers to make building a fire easier and more enjoyable. Here’s a closer look at the benefits of hiring a chimney sweep:

Fire Prevention

As you use your fireplace, soot and debris build up in your chimney, which can create blockages and sometimes damage to the inside of your chimney. Burning wood also generates creosote, a sticky substance that builds up over time and is a major cause of house fires.

Keeping your chimney clean and intact will help prevent against:

• Chimney fires

• Carbon monoxide poisoning

• Indoor air pollution

Getting annual cleanings will help make sure that you can use your chimney year-round with peace of mind.

Energy Savings

The debris and soot that clog up your chimney don’t only pose health and safety risks—they can also contribute to high energy bills. The dirt in your chimney reduces the efficiency of your heat transfer. Getting your chimney cleaned out can help you transfer heat more efficiently and identify any small cracks or holes before they become bigger problems—saving you money in the process.

Can I Hire a Handyperson to Clean My Chimney?

While sweeping a chimney may seem like a straightforward project that a qualified handyperson can manage, you’re better off hiring a chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). These pros have the equipment and expertise to clean your chimney safely and thoroughly, and they’re also trained to look for any potential issues with your fireplace and chimney that need to be addressed. 

Can I DIY Cleaning My Chimney?

While cleaning a chimney yourself might save you a few bucks, it’s an incredibly dangerous task. Between complications that could happen on your roof to improper exposure to toxic soot and debris, there’s a lot that can go wrong if you decide to take on this task yourself. Experienced chimney sweeps will get the job done right the first time. It’s best to save yourself the trouble and call in a professional for this job.

How Does a Chimney Sweep Clean a Chimney?

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The first thing a chimney sweep will do when you hire them is conduct an inspection of your chimney to assess its current state. There’s a chimney inspection checklist they’ll often follow, which includes looking for cracks, deterioration, blockages, and buildup. This will help your chimney sweep determine if you just need a cleaning or something more in-depth in terms of structural repair. 

Once the inspection is done, the chimney sweep will prepare the interior of your house where the fireplace is located in order to protect your stuff from getting damaged. This includes putting a plastic cover over the opening of your fireplace to trap any airborne dust from spreading to the rest of the room. They also may set down tarps and drop cloths around the fireplace and over your furniture and other valuables to ensure they remain clean. 

Then, your chimney sweep will head up to the roof of your house to detach your chimney or flue cap and start the process of cleaning the flue and flue liner of your chimney. This involves inserting a chimney brush down the chimney and scrubbing the inside using an up-and-down motion. After they’ve thoroughly scrubbed the chimney, the chimney sweep will do another inspection to ensure that your chimney is free of debris and damage. The last step in the process for cleaning your chimney is to clean up the fireplace once all the airborne debris has settled at the bottom.