A hearth you want to sit by
Firebrick, surround and glass cleaned so the fireplace looks like a feature rather than a chore.
Free written estimate before any work begins
Fireplace Cleaning in the San Francisco Bay Area
The part you actually look at, cleaned properly: firebox, damper, smoke shelf, hearth and glass.
Licensed & insured11 years experience5.0 star ratedUpfront pricing
Licensed & insured · 134 reviews
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Fast response. No obligation.
45-60 minTypical visit
Ash removedTaken away, not left behind
Why fireplace cleaning matters
Ash left sitting in a firebox holds moisture against the firebrick and the grate, and it is mildly caustic. Over a season that shortens the life of the firebox and can leave a smell in the room through the summer. The damper is the part most likely to seize, and it seizes from exactly this build-up.
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 damper that moves freely
The most common seized part in the system, freed and checked so it seats properly and stops draughts when closed.
The summer smell gone
Damp ash and soot are what you smell on a warm day. Removing them removes the smell.
Firebox life extended
Ash held against firebrick and the grate shortens their life. Clearing it is the cheapest maintenance in the system.
Warning signs
When to book fireplace cleaning
- Ash built up above the level of the grate
- A sour or smoky smell from the fireplace in warm weather
- Glass on the insert clouded or blackened
- The damper is stiff or will not close fully
- Soot staining spreading onto the surround or mantel
- Crumbling or cracked firebrick at the back of the firebox
Book fireplace cleaning today
Call (209) 447-0752 or request a quote online.
Process
How we do it
Cover and contain
Hearth, floor and nearby furniture covered before anything is opened up.
Clear the firebox
Ash, debris and old fuel removed and taken away, not left in a bag by the door.
Clean and free the damper
Damper, smoke shelf and throat cleared of build-up, then checked for free movement and proper seating.
Bring the surfaces back
Firebrick, grate, surround and glass cleaned, and any cracked firebrick flagged for you.
Our work
Recent fireplace cleaning jobs
Photographs from jobs our own crews have completed.
Questions
Fireplace Cleaning FAQs
Is this the same as a chimney sweep?
No. Fireplace cleaning covers the firebox and the room side. A sweep removes creosote from the flue above it. Most people having one done should have both, and doing them in the same visit is cheaper than two.
How often does the firebox need clearing?
Leave about an inch of ash as an insulating bed while you are burning through the season, then clear it out completely at the end. If you burn heavily, once mid-season as well.
Can you clean the glass on a gas or insert unit?
Yes. The film on the inside is normal combustion residue and comes off with the right product. Household glass cleaner on hot ceramic glass can etch it permanently.
More
Other services we offer
Chimney Sweep
Full creosote and soot removal to CSIA standard, with a camera check of the flue before we pack up.
Learn more about Chimney SweepChimney 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 RepairContact 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.