Chimney & Fireplace Cleaning Services Near You

Some homeowners know about the importance of regular, proactive chimney cleaning. Others wait until a problem arises, at which point they look for immediate help from a company in their area. In either situation, we have chimney sweeps near you ready to help. Enter your zip code to be connected today to chimney cleaning services around you.

Understanding the Importance of Chimney Sweeping

Especially new homeowners may not be aware of the importance of a clean chimney. And yet, the simple process of sweeping it on a regular basis can help you keep your chimney functioning properly, and your home safe.

Naturally, a chimney that doesn't allow smoke to exit your home properly will result in potential smoke damage around your home. Soot will begin to accumulate around the smoke duct, which prevents smoke from escaping. Instead, it makes its way into your home, soiling your furniture and carpeting.

Smoke in your home, of course, can also be detrimental to your health. It contains carbon monoxide, which becomes responsible for headaches, nausea, dizziness, and even fainting. As the Center for Disease Control points out, carbon monoxide is responsible for thousands of deaths every year.

Finally, a chimney that is not cleaned properly can, at its worst, be responsible for a chimney fire that could destroy parts or all of your home. Leaves, branches, and bird's nests that obstruct the airflow of the chimney ignite easily, while the fire could spread to your roof and other parts of your home. A chimney that's not cleaned often enough can also result in the build up of a highly flammable chemical called creosote, resulting in the same effect.

When Does Your Chimney Need Swept?

In other words, ignoring your chimney can have inconvenient and sometimes devastating results. Understanding what you can do against it is crucial to successful (and worry-free) home ownership. That's what makes learning how often and when to sweep your chimney so important.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America follows the National Fire Protection Association in recommending that your chimney should be inspected at least once every year. If the inspection finds any type of dangerous or potentially harmful elements such as the above, a cleaning needs to follow immediately.

That timeline is important even if you don't use a fireplace belonging to your chimney on a regular basis. As detailed above, even natural elements like leaves and bird's nests can cause chimney fires, and don't require frequent use of the chimney.

If your chimney has not been inspected for at least 12 months, scheduling a sweeping immediately is your best choice regardless of the season. Once your inspections get into a rhythm, consider scheduling your chimney sweeping before the seasons during which you use your fireplace most frequently.

The Average Cost of Sweeping Your Chimney

Naturally, the cost to sweep your chimney depends on a variety of factors. Your location, the angle of your roof, the amount of soot in the chimney itself, and the time that has passed since your last cleaning can all influence how much you have to pay.

At HomeAdvisor, our users report an average cost of about $210 per cleaning. Most homeowners spend between $123 and $315 depending on the above variables, but if you are already following a regular schedule, you may pay less than $100 for each sweep.

Regardless of the exact cost, you need to find a chimney sweeper near you that can help you keep your home safe and your fireplace functional.