Chimney sweep for fireplaces and wood stoves in Catalina

Tall chimneys on two-story homes

A chimney that rises past a second story means a longer flue, a longer ladder and a higher roof to work from. None of that changes the cleaning itself, but it changes the setup and the time the job takes.

Before anyone climbs, our technicians set the ladder and fall protection and bring enough rod length to reach the full flue from one end. On a very tall flue the brushing is often done in stages, with the smoke chamber and firebox finished from inside.

A tall chimney also has more exposed height for wind and rain. While the crew is up there, they look over the cap and the upper brick, and anything that needs work goes on the estimate by name. The sweep price itself is set in writing before the ladder goes up.

Getting your fireplace ready for the sweep

The fireplace needs to be cold. Plan the last fire at least a day ahead so the ash and firebox have cooled completely before the crew arrives.

Our crew brings the drop cloths, covers and tools, so you do not need to cover anything yourself. Leave the damper where it is, and do not try to open a stuck one or pull out an insert before the visit, since forcing parts can damage them.

If the yard has a locked gate, a dog or a tricky spot for the ladder, mention it when you set up the visit so the day goes smoothly.

• No fire for at least a day before the visit
• A clear path from the door to the hearth
• Pets and children kept in another room
• Fragile items moved off the mantel

Ladders and roof work handled by our crew

Top-down cleaning and checks at the chimney top mean roof work. Our crew in Catalina brings its own ladders and fall protection, sets the ladder on firm, level ground and ties it off before climbing. You never need to go up or hold a ladder for us.

Roof access depends on conditions on the day. A wet or slick surface, high wind or a very steep pitch can make the roof unsafe, and then the sweep is done from inside where possible and the roof part is rescheduled at a time that suits you.

Our technicians watch their footing on every roof, and gutters and plants below the ladder are protected too. Anything they notice near the chimney, such as a cracked tile or lifted flashing, goes on the record for you to decide about.

A last sweep before you stop using a fireplace

If you have decided to stop using a wood fireplace, a last sweep before closing it off is worth doing. Deposits left in a flue that no one watches can hold moisture, smell and draw animals, and they stay there indefinitely.

After the sweep, the flue still needs a plan. A cap keeps rain and animals out, and a closed damper keeps room air from flowing up the chimney. Our technicians explain which of those your system already has and what it would need.

Closing off a fireplace for good is a separate decision from cleaning it, and it does not have to be made the same day. For homeowners in Catalina, the estimate lists the sweep and any cap or damper work on separate lines. If the fireplace comes back into use someday, the record from the last sweep tells the next person what they are starting with.