Chimney sweep and cleaning in Lake Forest, IL
If you burn wood, soot and creosote build up inside the flue. We clean it out and tell you plainly what we find.
Every time you burn a fire, a little of what goes up the chimney stays behind. Wood smoke leaves soot, and it also leaves creosote, a tar-like film that can burn. Over a few seasons it adds up. A chimney sweep brushes that buildup out so the smoke has a clean path to the sky.
We clean chimneys for homes in Lake Forest and the towns around it. The visit is simple: we protect the floor around your fireplace, brush the flue from the firebox or from the top, vacuum up the debris, and then look at what the brushes uncovered. If we see cracked flue tiles, a damaged damper or water getting in, we show you and explain it before anything else is discussed.
What a cleaning visit covers
- Brushing soot and creosote from the flue and smoke chamber
- Cleaning the firebox and the smoke shelf where debris collects
- Checking the damper so it opens, closes and seals
- A look at the visible parts of the chimney for cracks, gaps and water damage
- A clear explanation of anything that needs attention, with no pressure
Signs it is time to call
- You burn wood regularly and the chimney has not been cleaned in a year or more
- Fires burn poorly or smoke drifts back into the room
- A strong smoky smell comes from the fireplace, worse in humid weather
- You see black, shiny or flaky buildup on the flue walls
- You just moved in and do not know when the chimney was last cleaned
Most people book a cleaning in late summer or early fall, before the first fire. That is also when schedules fill up, so calling early helps. Gas fireplaces burn cleaner, but they still need a periodic check, so tell us what kind of fireplace you have when you call.
Wondering if you need a cleaning or a full inspection? Read our short guide on how often a chimney should be cleaned and inspected, or just call and describe what you are seeing.
Questions we hear
How often should a chimney be cleaned?
It depends on how often you burn and what you burn. The standard most chimney professionals follow, NFPA 211, calls for a chimney to be inspected at least once a year and cleaned when the inspection shows it is needed. If you burn often, plan on a yearly look.
Is creosote really dangerous?
Creosote is flammable. A thick buildup inside a flue is one of the main causes of chimney fires, which is why we remove it and do not just look at it.
Do I need to be home during the cleaning?
It helps if someone is there to let us in and to talk through anything we find at the end. The cleaning itself does not need much from you.
Do you clean gas fireplaces?
Tell us what you have when you call. Gas appliances are different from wood-burning ones, and we will tell you honestly whether we can help or whether a different specialist fits better.
Other services
Tell us what you’re seeing
Leave your name, number and a few words about the chimney or fireplace. We read every request and call you back. If it is urgent, call us instead: (224) 271-0137.