Even if you have a chimney liner, a regular sweep is essential for getting rid of any blockages or debris that can put you at risk of a chimney fire. A professional chimney sweeper will also be able to look out for any other hazards you may be unaware of. This could be cracks or other repair works that need doing to keep your stove running at its best and safest. Sweeping the fireplace, checking the firebox, liners, smoke chamber and flue, chimney exterior and inspecting the appliance for proper clearances.
$150 – $375 average chimney average cost
An animal presence is evidenced by the sounds of clawing, scratching, or rustling in the chimney or by animal droppings in the firebox. Burn nothing in the fireplace except dry firewood or CSIA-accepted manufactured logs.
Chimney inspection costs typically correlate to the three levels of inspection. Level 1 is often included in the cleaning price, which is around $85 to $950 for both services. It’s a basic inspection for chimneys that are in good repair and regularly cleaned. It involves a visual check of the condition of the exterior and the fireplace components and whatever can be seen of the interior using a flashlight. If the fireplace is used regularly but not cleaned annually, the cost of a chimney sweep could be as high as $800, according to HomeAdvisor. Removing the buildup that has accumulated and solidified over some years isn’t easy. If chimney sweeping has been neglected, it’s likely to take extensive work to clean it.
Read more about Fireplace Cleaning Littleton here. Chimney cleaning costs vary by the type of fireplace or stove and by the type of fuel burned in the device. A level three inspection is usually necessary after a building has been severely damaged.
With them, have your fireplace chimney cleaned or inspected every 70 burns. There are additional services which can contribute to the overall costs of your chimney sweep. Often, you will find that a crucial component of your fireplace needs more than cleaning, and you’ll have to pay for a chimney repair. There are a number of factors that can contribute to the cost of a chimney sweep. These additional factors need to be considered when pricing for your chimney sweep. A wood stove, in comparison to a wood-burning fireplace, is a more efficient heat source.
It may also push smoke into your living space, which could damage your possessions and compromise your safety. Repeat this process until you reach the top of the flue and then bring the rods back down, unscrewing them one by one as you go. Tape all of the edges of the bed sheet to the fireplace’s opening to ensure that it protects the room from soot. We recommend comparing at least three chimney sweep estimates. Also, never feel pressured to sign a contract if you still have questions.
Chimney cleaning cost by type
The National Fire Protection Agency and all chimney safety organizations recommend annual checks for your safety. Roof repair costs $150 to $400 minimum to fix shingles surrounding the chimney. The cost to remove a fireplace and chimney is $3,000 to $6,000. Once the flue is clean, use a shop vacuum to remove all the soot and creosote that’s fallen into the lower areas. Working from above, with the damper open and the chimney cap removed, thread on the first rod.
Small critters like raccoons tend to make homes out of chimneys, which is unsafe for your home—and for them. It’s not uncommon for chimney cleaners to come across small animals and birds, so it’s wise to budget for this factor. Fireplace dampers cost around $200 to $400 to install and $100 to $225 to repair.
Home Safe Chimneys
Aside from special circumstances, your chimney should be swept at least once a year by a CSIA certified professional. Also remember that they get hot so you need to remove any combustible material that might collect in there, be it creosote or animal nests. Before replacing the chimney cap, look into the chimney with a flashlight to see if there are spots you missed.
A chimney sweep for a wood-burning fireplace gets pricier as the number of flues on the fireplace increases. A typical fireplace, with a single flue, will be less expensive to have cleaned. The average chimney sweep for a wood-burning fireplace costs between $155 and $195. The average cost to clean a gas burning fireplace chimney is $130. The range of costs to clean a gas burning fireplace chimney starts at $80 and goes up to $175. A level one chimney inspection starts at $90 and ranges up to $625, for an average cost of $355.
