Chimney Services

Chimney sweeping details for Casselberry homes

Why our family-owned crew in Casselberry sweeps chimneys the way it does.

Metal and factory-built chimneys

Many homes have a factory-built fireplace with a round metal chimney instead of a masonry one. These systems are tested and listed as a unit, and the maker's installation manual sets out how they are cleaned and which brushes are allowed.

We follow those instructions, since scratched or dented flue sections can shorten the life of the system. While cleaning we check for rust, separated joints and damaged sections, and we note anything that should keep the fireplace out of use. Parts are replaced only with components made for that system, and any repair is priced separately before work begins. If you have the manual or can find the label inside the fireplace, have it handy when we arrive.

Signs of an earlier chimney fire

Some chimney fires are loud and dramatic, but others burn out without anyone noticing. Afterward the flue can show puffy, honeycombed creosote, cracked or shifted tiles, a warped damper or heat-streaked metal at the top.

If our sweep finds signs like these, we stop, explain what we saw and recommend that the fireplace stay out of use until the chimney has been fully inspected. NFPA 211 treats a chimney fire as a reason for a closer inspection before the system is used again. Cleaning continues only when it is safe to do so, and you decide on any next step. If you remember a loud roaring sound, heavy smoke or a hot smell from the chimney at some point, mention it, since it helps us read what we see.

A chimney smell that lingers

A smoky or musty smell from a cold fireplace often comes from deposits in the flue reacting with moisture. It tends to be strongest when the air is damp or the house is closed up and air is drawn down the chimney.

Cleaning removes the deposits behind much of that smell, and a well-sealing damper or a cap can keep damp air and rain out afterward. If the smell persists after a proper cleaning, we look for a leak or an airflow problem as a separate question. Gas odor is another matter entirely. Get everyone out, then phone the gas utility or 911 from the yard or the street. Keeping the damper closed while the fireplace is cold also helps, since it limits the air moving through the flue.