Chimney sweep and fireplace cleaning in Andover Lakes
Local sweeps for fireplaces, wood stoves and inserts in Andover Lakes, each cleaned the way its maker intends.
- Licensed & insured
- Locally run
- Family owned and operated
- Same-day service available
The written scope of a chimney cleaning
- Room covered and fireplace opening sealed
- Extra passes for heavy buildup priced up front
- Top-sealing damper gasket and cable checked
- Refractory panels cleaned without scraping
What goes into a proper chimney sweep
See-through fireplaces with two open faces
A see-through fireplace opens into two rooms, or into a room and a patio. That means two openings to protect, two faces that can stain and air that can move across the firebox from one side to the other.
Cleaning one means protecting both rooms. Our technicians cover the floor and seal both openings before brushing, then clean the firebox from each side so neither face is missed. The damper and smoke chamber above are brushed the same way as in a single-opening masonry fireplace.
If glass doors close one side, they are opened or lifted off for cleaning and go back on afterward. When smoke tends to roll out of one face more than the other, our crew notes it, because airflow in the house can be part of the cause and cleaning alone may not change it. That finding goes on the written record.
Smoke at the opening with more than one cause
EPA guidance expects a well-installed, properly used wood-burning appliance to make little smoke, so smoke you see or smell again and again is a sign something is wrong. Heavy deposits are one possible cause, since they narrow the flue. They are not always the only one.
Under the Florida Building Code, the throat, damper and smoke chamber above a masonry firebox together form a passage that must be at least as large as the flue. A damper that does not open fully, a clogged cap screen or wet wood can each leave smoke rolling out of the front as well.
A sweep removes the deposits, and the damper and cap screen get tested on the same visit. If smoke still comes out afterward, the other causes are next, and our technicians note on the record what they checked and what still needs a look.
Smoke stains on the face above the opening
Dark staining on the brick, stone or plaster above the fireplace opening means smoke has been rolling out of the top of the opening during use, even briefly. It often starts when a fire is lit with the damper not fully open or when the fireplace draws slowly at startup.
The sweep cleans the flue and firebox, and the face can be cleaned too, but brushing alone does not stop new stains. The cause has to be found. Our crew looks at the damper, the smoke chamber and the flue for anything that holds the smoke back on its way up.
Soft stone and painted brick can be damaged by strong cleaners, so face cleaning is done gently and only when you ask for it. The written record keeps the stain cleanup and the cause as two separate items.
Roofing debris that dropped into the flue
Roof work around a chimney can send debris down the flue. Shingle granules, nails, bits of underlayment, broken tile and mortar chips can fall past an open cap during tear-off or when flashing is replaced. Roof crews do not always cover the flue while they work.
That debris lands on the smoke shelf or the damper, where it can jam the damper or block part of the passage. Nails and metal bits are picked out by hand, since dragging them with a brush could scratch a liner.
If your roof was recently redone, a sweep before the next fire clears it out. Our crew in Andover Lakes also checks the cap and the flashing while on the roof and tells you if anything was disturbed by the roofing work, so you can raise it with the roofer while the job is fresh.
Other work in Andover Lakes
-
-
-
-
-
-
Learn more about chimney sweep and chimney cleaningAndover Lakes services
Related chimney sweep work
Chimney sweep questions in Andover Lakes
Can you clean a factory-built fireplace and its metal chimney?
Yes. We follow the maker's care instructions, use brushes that will not scratch the metal flue and reset the cap the way the system was designed. Any damaged part is quoted with a matching replacement listed for that system.
Do I need to be home for the chimney cleaning?
Someone needs to let our crew in and approve the written estimate, and we go over the record with you at the end. For rentals and seasonal homes we can work with a caretaker or property manager and send the record afterward.
Request your free estimate
Share the job details and arrange a free inspection with our local team.
- Free inspection
- No hidden fees
- Family owned and operated
Need an answer now? Call (352) 675-6376
Your request is received
Thank you. We will contact you to discuss the job and confirm an appointment.