Chimney cleaning questions, answered

Most standard chimney cleanings in Annapolis run about $150 to $350 for a sweep with a basic inspection, and many local homeowners land around $244 to $337. A few things move that number:

• Type of fireplace. Gas units are quicker to service, often $80 to $150. Wood burning systems need more creosote removal, usually $150 to $375.
• Level of inspection. A basic Level 1 check is bundled in. A deeper Level 2 inspection, the kind often needed for a home sale, runs more.
• Creosote buildup. Heavy or glazed Stage 3 creosote takes extra work and can add $100 to $300 or more.
• Any repairs. Fixing a cracked cap or a stuck damper during the visit adds to the total.

We always quote you before we start, so there are no surprises.

A basic visual check is part of every cleaning at no extra cost. If you want a deeper camera inspection on its own, just ask and we will give you a price up front.

Call or text us any time at (667) 301-7778, or use the contact form. We answer 24/7, and most weeks we can reach homes across Annapolis, Eastport, and Parole within a few days, with same day visits often open.

Spring is ideal, right after burning season. Leftover creosote turns acidic when it sits in a damp flue over summer and can eat away at a metal liner. Clean it in spring and your chimney is ready to go in fall.

Once a year is the standard if you burn wood regularly. If you only light a few fires each winter, every other year may be enough, but a yearly check is still the safe habit.

Most cleanings take about an hour. A flue with heavy glaze or years of buildup can take longer, and we will tell you before we begin.

Watch for a strong smoky or tar like smell, a black coating inside the flue, poor draft, or smoke rolling into the room. If you have burned three or four cords since your last cleaning, it is time.

Yes. They mean the same thing. Sweep is the old word, cleaning is the plain one. Both mean removing creosote and debris from your flue. A real visit also includes an inspection, not only the brushing.

Creosote is flammable. Enough heat and a stray spark can start a chimney fire that burns well past 2,000 degrees. The U.S. Fire Administration reports thousands of chimney and fireplace fires each year, and a clean flue has nothing inside to catch.

Done right, there is no mess. We tarp off the fireplace, lay drop cloths, and run a vacuum the whole time. Your floors stay clean.

Not always. Power sweeping can often be done from inside, which is safer. We do check the crown, cap, and flashing from the roof, because that is where water damage usually starts.

You can brush a straight flue, but you will not remove hardened glaze, and you are working on a roof. Most people who try still call us to catch what they missed.

Yes. We are fully licensed and insured, and every visit follows NFPA 211 and CSIA guidance, the same standards your insurer expects.