Chimney questions, straight answers

Use the online booking form or call or text us. Pick a preferred date and tell us a little about your chimney. We reply within one business hour to confirm a 2-hour arrival window by text.

Yes. We work weekdays and Saturdays, and our current hours are in the "Talk to a sweep" box on this page and at the bottom of every page. Saturday slots go quickly in the fall, so book early if you need one.

For sweeps, inspections and anything inside the house, yes, an adult needs to be home to let us in and go over the findings. Some exterior-only work, like crown or cap repairs, may not need you there. We'll confirm when we schedule.

Don't use the fireplace or stove for at least 24 hours before so the firebox and ashes are cold. Clear the hearth and mantel, leave a path from the door, and keep pets in another room. We handle the drop cloths and everything else.

The city of Pittsburgh and communities across Allegheny County, plus nearby towns in Butler, Washington, Westmoreland and Beaver counties. See the full list on our service areas page, or enter your ZIP on the booking form.

Level 1 is a visual check of the readily accessible parts of the chimney and appliance, and it comes with every sweep. Level 2 adds a camera scan of the full flue plus accessible attic, crawlspace and roof areas. It's called for at property sale, after a chimney fire or when your system changes. Level 3 is only for when a serious hidden problem is suspected and may involve removing parts of the structure. More on our inspections page.

NFPA 211 calls for a Level 2 inspection on sale or transfer of a property. A general home inspection usually looks at what's visible and doesn't scan the inside of the flue, which is where cracked tiles and gaps hide. See our home buyer's guide or the page for realtors and property managers.

Yes. Every finding is photographed, labelled and ranked by urgency, and the report is texted to you the same day. If anything needs repair, a written estimate comes with it.

Yes. Gas doesn't leave creosote, but flues still get blocked by nests and debris, and liners and connections can deteriorate. Because a blocked gas vent can push carbon monoxide into the house, NFPA 211 still calls for an annual inspection. See gas fireplace maintenance.

Yes. We inspect and clean the chimney flue your furnace or water heater vents into. The appliances themselves should be serviced by your HVAC contractor. One thing to know: if you replace an older furnace with a high-efficiency model that vents out the side of the house, a water heater left alone in the old chimney flue may not draft properly and often needs a correctly sized liner.

Yes. We clean and inspect wood stoves, fireplace inserts, pellet stoves and their venting, and we service dampers and gas fireplaces. See fireplace and stove service.

It depends on your chimney. The main factors are the number of flues, the type of appliance (open fireplace, insert, stove or gas), how much buildup there is, and how easy the chimney is to reach. Call or book online and we'll give you the price for your home, confirmed in writing before we start.

The size of the area that needs work, the materials (for example a stainless or copper cap, or a stainless liner sized to your appliance), the height of the chimney and pitch of the roof, and whether we need extra equipment for access. Your free written estimate is itemized so you can see each part.

Not without your say-so. The price we confirm in writing is the price for that work. If we uncover something new once we're into the job, we stop, show you photos and explain the options. Nothing beyond what you approved happens without your agreement.

We'll go over payment options when we confirm your appointment, and repair estimates spell out the total so you know it before you decide. If you have a question about paying for a larger repair, just ask when you call.