Why sweeping matters
Burning wood leaves soot and creosote, a flammable residue that coats the inside of the flue. It can be flaky and sooty, or a hard shiny glaze that's harder to remove. Enough buildup can fuel a chimney fire. CSIA recommends sweeping a masonry fireplace at about 1/8 inch of buildup, and sooner if there's any glazed creosote.
How often?
NFPA 211 calls for an inspection at least once a year, with cleaning when needed. How often you actually need a sweep depends on how much you burn, what you burn and your appliance. A fireplace used a few times each winter may not need sweeping every year, while a wood stove used daily may need it more than once a season. The yearly inspection is how you find out.
What a typical sweep includes
- Protecting the room with drop cloths and a vacuum system to control dust.
- Brushing the flue, smoke chamber, smoke shelf and firebox, from the top, the bottom or both.
- Checking the damper, cap and visible parts of the chimney. Many sweeps include a Level 1 inspection; ask whether yours does.
- Some sweeps run a camera up the flue, often for an added fee.
CSIA notes that a complete sweeping covers the chimney flue and smoke chamber, not just the firebox. If a quote seems unusually low, ask what's included.
Tips before the sweep arrives
- Don't burn anything for at least 24 hours beforehand so the fireplace is cool.
- Clear the area around the hearth.
- Make a note of anything odd you've noticed, such as smells, smoke in the room, or water.
Not sure if your fireplace burns wood or gas? A pro can tell you. Gas units need different service; see gas fireplace & gas logs. Prices are covered on the cost & FAQ page.
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