Chimney cleaning in Aurora, IL
A chimney collects everything the outdoors throws at it: nests in spring, leaves in fall, soot and creosote all winter. We clear the whole system, so it draws properly and your home smells like home, not like last winter's fires.
- Wood and gas systems
- Nests and debris removed
- Fresher air indoors
Signs your chimney needs cleaning
A blocked or dirty chimney does not always announce itself with smoke. More often it is a smell, a sound or a fire that just does not burn as well as it used to.
These are the most common signs.
- A musty or smoky smell from the fireplace, even with no fire lit
- Smoke drifting into the room when the fire starts
- Chirping, scratching or a nest visible at the top of the flue
- Twigs, leaves or soot dropping into the firebox
- A cap or spark screen caked with soot
- A gas fireplace with sooty glass or a pilot that keeps going out
- Dust and grit from a renovation that reached the fireplace
What you get with Chimney cleaning
Cleaner air at home
Removing soot and creosote ends the stale smoky smell, and a clean flue keeps smoke from drifting back into the room.
A more controlled fire
With a clear flue the fire draws evenly, burns brighter and is less prone to smoke drift.
Less corrosion
Soot holds moisture against caps, dampers and liners. Clearing it slows the rust that ends their life early.
No mess in the house
The hearth and floor stay covered, and a HEPA vacuum catches the soot before we go.
What a chimney cleaning covers
We clean the parts of the system that need it, from top to bottom.
- Flue cleared of soot, creosote and debris
- Nests and nesting material removed
- Cap and spark screen cleaned, or replaced if rusted through
- Smoke chamber, smoke shelf and damper cleaned
- Firebox cleaned and the hearth vacuumed
- Gas fireplace vents and terminations checked and cleared
- A draft check before we leave
After a renovation
Sanding, drywall and demolition dust gets everywhere, including into the fireplace and up the flue. If you have renovated the room around a fireplace, a cleaning before the next fire clears that dust out, so it does not burn, smell or settle back into your new room.
Chimney cleaning questions
What is the difference between cleaning and sweeping?
Sweeping is brushing creosote out of a wood-burning flue. Cleaning is the wider job of clearing a chimney or vent of whatever is in it, including nests, debris, rust and dust. Many visits include both.
Can you get rid of a bird or squirrel nest?
Yes. We remove the nest and the material under it, and if the flue has no cap we recommend a stainless one so nothing moves back in next spring.
My fireplace smells on humid summer days. Why?
Creosote in the flue gives off a smoky smell when the air is humid, and air conditioning can draw that air down into the room. A cleaning and a damper that closes tight usually solve it.
Do gas fireplaces need cleaning?
Yes. Gas does not leave creosote, but its vent can be blocked by nests, insects and debris, which can push exhaust back into the house. We check and clear the vent and its termination cap.
How long does a cleaning take?
About an hour for most chimneys. A badly blocked flue, a large nest or a home with several flues can take longer, and we tell you before we start.
Other services we provide
Chimney sweep
Fireplace, stove and insert flues brushed clean of creosote, connector pipe included.
Chimney inspection
The whole system checked, from the cap and crown to the flue, damper and firebox, with photos.
Chimney repair
Caps, flue pipes, crowns, flashing and brick repaired, so rain and frost stay out of the chimney.
Ready for a fireplace that smells fresh again?
Fireplace, stove or insert? Say which, leave a number, and we call you to book the visit.