Chimney fire risk removed
Creosote is the fuel a chimney fire runs on. Taking it out is the single most effective thing you can do for the safety of the house.
Free written estimate before any work begins
Chimney Sweep in the San Francisco Bay Area
Creosote and soot removed to CSIA standard, with drop cloths down and a HEPA vacuum running the whole time.
Licensed & insured11 years experience5.0 star ratedUpfront pricing
Licensed & insured · 134 reviews
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Fast response. No obligation.
1 yrRecommended sweep interval
60-90 minTypical single fireplace
CSIACertified technicians
Why chimney sweep matters
Creosote is what burns in a chimney fire. It builds in layers every time you burn, faster with damp wood or a cool flue, and once it glazes it no longer brushes off. A yearly sweep keeps that build-up in the stage where it can still be removed and gives you a look at the flue while it is clean enough to see.
Our guarantee
If you are not satisfied with the result, we come back and make it right at no charge.
Benefits
What you get
A fireplace that actually draws
Soot narrows the flue and chokes the draft. A clear flue lights easier, burns hotter and stops pushing smoke back into the room.
Problems found while they are cheap
The brush exposes cracked tiles, a rusted damper or a failing crown. Finding those in October costs a fraction of finding them in January.
No mess left behind
Drop cloths, a sealed HEPA vacuum and a wipe-down. The hearth is cleaner when we leave than when we arrived.
A written record
You get photographs and a plain-language report, which matters for insurance and again when you sell the house.
Warning signs
When to book chimney sweep
- It has been more than a year, or more than a cord of wood, since the last sweep
- Smoke pushes into the room when you light a fire
- A sharp, tarry smell from the fireplace on warm days
- Black, flaky or shiny tar-like deposits visible above the damper
- You hear rustling, scratching or birds in the flue
- The damper is stiff, will not seat, or has rusted in place
- Dark staining spreading on the brick above the opening
Book chimney sweep today
Call (209) 447-0752 or request a quote online.
Process
How we do it
Set up and seal
Drop cloths over the hearth and floor, and the fireplace opening sealed so nothing escapes into the room.
Sweep the full run
Rotary and hand brushes from the firebox through the smoke chamber, throat and flue to the cap, sized to your flue.
Vacuum under negative pressure
A HEPA vacuum runs the whole time so the soot goes into the machine rather than onto your furniture.
Inspect what the brush exposed
Camera and visual check of the liner, damper, smoke shelf and crown now that the surfaces are clean.
Report and photograph
We show you what we found, photograph anything that needs attention, and give you the written estimate before any repair work.
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Our work
Recent chimney sweep jobs
Photographs from jobs our own crews have completed.
Questions
Chimney Sweep FAQs
How often should the chimney be swept?
Once a year for anything you burn regularly, and the industry standard is an annual inspection regardless of use. If you burn most evenings through the winter, or you burn wood that was not fully seasoned, it is worth doing before every heating season.
How long does a sweep take?
A straightforward single fireplace usually runs about an hour to ninety minutes. Heavy glazed creosote, a blocked flue or a second fireplace adds time, and we will tell you before we start rather than after.
Will it make a mess in my house?
No. The opening is sealed, the hearth is covered and a HEPA vacuum runs under negative pressure for the whole job. Soot ends up in the machine.
Do I need to do anything before you arrive?
Let the fireplace go cold for at least 24 hours and clear a path to the hearth. We handle the rest.
What if you find something wrong?
You get photographs, an explanation in plain language and a written estimate. Nothing gets repaired without you agreeing to it first.
More
Other services we offer
Chimney Inspection
Level 1 and Level 2 inspections with a written report and camera footage, including inspections for a home sale.
Learn more about Chimney InspectionChimney Repair
Crown repair, liner replacement, repointing and rebuilds, quoted in writing before any work starts.
Learn more about Chimney RepairFireplace Cleaning
Firebox, damper, smoke chamber and hearth cleaned and checked, with the glass and brickwork brought back.
Learn more about Fireplace CleaningContact Alpine Chimney
Alpine Chimney Company
1080 Broadway
Millbrae, CA 94030
(209) 447-0752
info@alpinechimneycompany.com
Open 24/7Every day, including holidays
Request a Free Quote
Fast response. No obligation.