Clean flues and clear findings for Harbordale chimneys
Start with a free inspection, approve the cleaning you want, then see what came down before we leave.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
What prompts a chimney cleaning call
- Flakes of black residue in the firebox
- A cap screen furred with soot
- Fires that are slow to draw
- A fireplace idle for a long time
Jump to
Sweeping the flue and the parts around it
What the cleaning covers inside the firebox
The firebox is the part of the fireplace where the fire burns. Its walls and floor are brushed and the ash is removed after the flue work, because deposits from above land there. Grates and andirons are lifted out, cleared of loose ash and returned.
Cleaning leaves the firebrick visible, which makes cracks and open joints easier to spot. Those are noted, not repaired, during a sweep. If the damage needs attention before the next fire, you receive an explanation and a separate estimate for the firebox work.
Earlier cleaning records and what they show
If you have records from earlier cleanings, keep them handy for the visit. They show what was found before and whether any repair was recommended. Comparing them with today's deposits can reveal whether burning habits or conditions have changed.
An earlier recommendation that nobody acted on is worth mentioning. We look at that part again and tell you whether the condition seems the same, better or worse. The new written record then carries the story forward. Whoever looks at the chimney next can see what changed and when it was noted.
Cleaning inside a factory-built firebox
The firebox in a factory-built fireplace is usually lined with refractory panels rather than firebrick. The panels are brittle and can crack if struck or scraped hard. We brush them gently and lift out loose ash without prying at the edges.
Whether a hairline crack in a panel matters depends on the manufacturer's guidance for that unit, and we explain it. Wider gaps or crumbling pieces are a different matter. Replacements have to be the manufacturer's listed parts, which is why we ask for the model before quoting any repair.
The damper on the day of the sweep
Leave the damper where it was after the last fire, and do not force it if it sticks. We open it ourselves during the visit and note how easily it moves. A damper forced open by hand can bend its frame or snap a handle.
At the end, we close it and show you how it should feel when it seats. If it did not close before the cleaning and still does not after, that is a repair item. We explain whether it affects use before you light the next fire.
Your chimney sweep, itemized before work
- Factory-built flue cleaned per instructions
- Blockage identified before any brushing
- Cap and damper repairs quoted separately
- Next maintenance visit suggestion
Questions about soot, flues and sweeping
Can the free inspection and the sweep happen on one visit?
It can. We look at the fireplace and flue and give you the estimate. If you approve it and the scope allows, we clean on the same visit. If a separate item needs deciding, the cleaning can wait until you are ready.
Should I empty the ashes before you arrive?
No. Leave them where they are and let the fireplace go cold. We remove the ash with the rest of the debris and take it away, so nothing warm ends up in a household bin.
Why do you look at the flue after it is brushed?
Soot hides the surface. Once it is off, cracks, gaps and damaged parts are easier to see. That visual check is limited to what the brushes reached, and anything it raises is explained separately.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Chase Cover ReplacementReplace the chase top with a properly planned cover and clearly defined pipe connections.
- Prefab and Zero-Clearance Fireplace RepairIdentify and repair manufactured fireplace components using the appropriate model information.
- Chimney Damper Repair and ReplacementRestore a usable damper mechanism after checking the plate, frame and control linkage.
- Stone Chimney RepairRepair affected stone chimney surfaces with the supporting construction and visual match considered together.
- Firebox RepairRepair the damaged fireplace chamber using an approach suited to masonry or manufactured components.
We received your request
Our team will contact you to arrange your inspection.
Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo