What Happens During a Professional Chimney Sweep

You booked a chimney sweep. What actually happens when the technician shows up? Here’s exactly what a professional CSIA-certified visit looks like at West Hartford Chimney Repair, from truck arrival to spotless departure — including the signs your chimney needs cleaning we look for along the way.

Step 1: Arrival & Setup (10 minutes)

We arrive on time in a marked truck, in a clean company uniform, with a CSIA ID card. Before touching anything, we:

• Introduce ourselves and confirm the scope (which flues, what appliances)
• Ask about any issues you’ve noticed
• Lay drop cloths from the front door to the firebox
• Set up the HEPA vacuum
• Protect the immediate area around the fireplace (furniture cover if needed)

Step 2: Pre-Sweep Level 1 Inspection (10 minutes)

Before cleaning, we do a visual inspection of the accessible parts:

• Firebox condition
• Damper operation
• Smoke chamber visibility
• Exterior chimney condition (from ground and roof if accessible)
• Cap condition
• Flashing at the roofline

This tells us what type of buildup you have, whether we need extra tools, and if there’s anything urgent to flag before we sweep.

Step 3: The Sweep Itself (30–45 minutes)

For a standard flue:

1. Rotary sweep brush attached to flexible rods (or spinning power tool for glazed creosote)
2. Fed from the top of the chimney down (or firebox up, depending on access)
3. HEPA vacuum captures dislodged material in real time
4. Multiple passes ensure the flue interior is scraped clean of soot and Stage 1–2 creosote
5. Damper and smoke shelf cleaned separately
6. Cap area checked and cleared of debris

Step 4: Post-Sweep Visual Check (5–10 minutes)

We check that:

• The flue is visibly clean top to bottom
• Damper operates smoothly
• No debris remains in the smoke shelf
• No new damage was discovered during the sweep
• Anything requiring follow-up gets photographed

Step 5: Cleanup & Findings (10 minutes)

• All drop cloths folded and removed
• HEPA vacuum content sealed and taken away
• Area around fireplace wiped down if any dust settled
• Findings report (verbal + emailed within 24 hours with photos)
• Recommendations for anything needing future work

Total Time & Cost

• Single-flue standard sweep: 60–90 minutes, $179–$275
• Multi-flue sweep (2–3 flues): 90–120 minutes, $250–$400
• Glazed creosote removal: longer, sometimes requires return visit, $400–$800+

What You Should Do Before We Arrive

• Don’t use the fireplace for at least 24 hours before the sweep (ashes must be cold)
• Clear the mantel and immediate hearth area
• Confirm we have access to the fireplace (not blocked by furniture)
• Have any prior inspection reports or maintenance records handy if you have them

Optional Add-Ons

Frequently added:

• Level 2 video scan ($150–$250 additional) — recommended every few years or if you haven’t had one
• Dryer vent cleaning ($100–$150 additional when bundled with a sweep)
• Chimney cap replacement or installation if the current cap has failed

Book Your Sweep

Ready to schedule? See our chimney sweeping service or contact us for late-summer availability.