A picture like this is reason
enough to hire a sweep to clean
your fireplace and chimney!

Hiring a Chimney Sweep

If you prefer to leave the messy job of inspecting and cleaning your fireplace or stove to someone else, hire a professional chimney sweep. Look in the Yellow Pages of your phone directory under "Chimney Cleaning." Expect to pay $100-$200 for a straightforward inspection and cleaning.

Some sweeps use tiny video cameras and lights to get an up-close look at every inch of a flue and establish a visual record of the chimney's condition for the homeowner.

The chimney sweep industry is not regulated or licensed by a government agency, but many sweeps apply for certification by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) or membership in the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG). These organizations promote professionalism in the industry by testing applicants and providing continuing education opportunities to keep members up-to-date on current technology and fire safety.