Our Services

Getting the flue truly clean in Taintsville

How we plan a chimney cleaning at your Taintsville home, from the drop cloths to the walk-through.

The firebox and hearth

Ash and loose debris are cleared from the firebox, and the firebrick is brushed down so its surface can be seen. The grate or andirons come out and go back in, and the hearth in front of the opening is cleaned before we pack up.

With the brick clean, cracks, missing mortar between firebricks and chipped edges are easy to spot. We note what we see and whether it affects safe use. Firebox repair is priced separately, and a cleaning appointment never turns into repair work without your approval. We also carry the ash out of the house when we leave. If you use a grate, we check that it sits level and clear of the back wall, so logs burn where they should.

Birds and animals in the flue

Scratching, chirping or twigs in the firebox usually mean something is living in the chimney. Chimney swifts nest in masonry flues and are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Florida wildlife rules restrict when bats can be excluded from a building.

Sweeping an occupied flue can mean waiting until the animals have gone, or handing the job to our animal removal service first. Please do not try to smoke an animal out or light a fire under it. Once the flue is clear, a properly sized cap with a screen keeps the next visitor from moving in, and we can price one along with the cleaning. A cap also keeps rain out of the flue, which protects the damper and firebox from rust and staining.

Getting ready for your sweep

Please let the fireplace go cold before we arrive. We ask that no fire be lit the evening before a morning visit, and the ash can stay where it is, since we clear it ourselves as part of the cleaning.

Clear the mantel of fragile items, keep pets in another room and let us know about anything that affects roof access, such as a locked gate or a dog in the yard. If the fireplace has glass doors or a screen that is hard to remove, tell us when you book. A little preparation keeps the visit short and the room clean. If we should use a particular entrance or park in a certain spot, mention that too.