Kevin R.
Best chimney repair crew in the Bay Area. Fixed our crumbling crown and repointed the brick in a single day.
Free written estimate before any work begins
Chimney Sweep in Oakland, CA
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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1 yrRecommended sweep interval
60-90 minTypical single fireplace
CSIACertified technicians
Chimney Sweep for Oakland homes
Oakland splits between the flats and the hills, and chimney work follows that line closely. Rockridge, Temescal, Glenview and the streets around Piedmont Avenue are dense with Craftsman bungalows from the 1900s to the 1920s, and those houses have original brick fireplaces that are frequently the architectural centerpiece of the living room, complete with period tile and built-in cabinetry either side. Repairs there need to respect that. Up in Montclair and the hills above, the priority shifts to fire: this is a high wildfire hazard area with a documented history, and a chimney without a working spark arrestor is a genuine ember source. Every hill job we quote includes the arrestor and the cap, because in that part of Oakland they are not optional extras.
Craftsman bungalow belt through Rockridge, Temescal and Glenview with original 1900s-1920s brick fireplaces integrated into period interiors that repairs must respect. Hill neighborhoods including Montclair sit in a high wildfire hazard zone with a documented fire history, making working spark arrestors and proper caps a standard part of every quote.
Included in every job
- Chimney fire risk removed
- A fireplace that actually draws
- Problems found while they are cheap
- No mess left behind
Warning signs
When Oakland homes need this service
- 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
Chimney Sweep in Oakland
Call (209) 447-0752 for same-week availability.
Process
How the visit works
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.
Reviews
From Oakland customers
Questions
FAQs
I live in the Oakland hills. Do I need a spark arrestor?
Yes, and we treat it as standard rather than an upgrade. A flue without an arrestor sends embers onto a roof in a high hazard severity zone with a well-documented fire history. It is the cheapest component on the chimney and the one with the most at stake behind it.
Can you repair a Craftsman fireplace without ruining the tilework?
That is most of what we do in the Oakland flats. Original tile surrounds and built-ins are the reason people bought these houses, and we protect and work around them. Where masonry has to be matched, we match it.
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.
Contact 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.