Chimney sweep on a tile roof with a round flue brush beside a stainless steel flue pipe

Serving all of Southeast Michigan

Chimney Cleaning, Included With Every 60-Point Inspection

Chimney cleaning comes with our 60-point inspection, so one visit gets your chimney cleaned and inspected. WOW brings 4 generations of chimney and exhaust cleaning and inspecting to every job.

60-point inspection, cleaning included
Photos of every finding
Estimate before any repair work

Call (586) 636-6424 Request an Inspection

Cleaned and inspected in one visit

Every time a fireplace or wood stove runs, it sends smoke up the flue, and some of it sticks to the inside of the chimney. In wood-burning chimneys that buildup is creosote, a tar-like residue that is flammable and narrows the flue as it thickens. Nests, leaves, and fallen debris can block flues that aren't used often.

Cleaning and inspecting belong together, so we do them together. Your cleaning is part of our 60-point inspection: we clear the soot, creosote, and debris from the flue, and we check the flue, liner, brick, mortar, crown, cap, and flashing. You see photos of every finding, and you get a clear estimate before any repair work.

The National Fire Protection Association's standard for chimneys (NFPA 211) calls for chimneys, fireplaces, and vents to be inspected at least once a year and cleaned as needed. A yearly inspection and cleaning visit covers both.

Our exhaust cleaning also covers dryer vents, dryers, and water heater flues. See dryer vent cleaning.

How our 60-point inspection and cleaning work

Time for a cleaning?

Signs your chimney needs cleaning

Strong smoky odor
A campfire smell from the fireplace, especially on humid days, often points to creosote buildup in the flue.
Poor draft or smoke in the room
Smoke that rolls back into the house instead of going up the chimney can mean a dirty or obstructed flue.
Black flakes or crust
Flaky, shiny, or crusty black deposits inside the firebox or damper area are creosote.
Debris falling into the firebox
Bits of masonry, twigs, or nesting material coming down the chimney mean something up top needs attention.
Animals or nests
Birds and small animals like uncapped flues. Their nests can block the flue completely.
It's been a year or more
If you burn regularly and can't remember the last cleaning or inspection, it's time.

How it works

Inspect first. Then fix it right.

No guesswork and no surprises. You know what's wrong and what it costs before any work begins. If we uncover more damage, we stop and get your approval first.

1
Book one visit
Call (586) 636-6424 or send the form. The 60-point inspection and the chimney cleaning happen in the same visit.
2
Clean the flue
Soot, creosote, and debris are brushed and cleared out of the flue.
3
60-point inspection
We check the flue, liner, brick, mortar, crown, cap, and flashing up close and photograph every issue we find.
4
Photos & estimate
We go through the photos with you and give you a clear estimate before any repair work.

FAQ

Chimney Cleaning questions

Straight answers from the crew that does the work.

More FAQs

Is chimney cleaning included with the inspection?

Yes. Chimney cleaning is included in our 60-point inspection, so your chimney is cleaned and inspected in the same visit.

How much does the inspection and cleaning cost?

The 60-point inspection with cleaning is a paid visit. Call (586) 636-6424 and we'll give you the current price when you book.

How often should a chimney be cleaned?

The NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces, and vents to be inspected at least once a year and cleaned as needed. How often yours needs cleaning depends on how much you burn and what you burn.

What exhaust do you clean besides chimneys?

Dryer vents and dryers, and water heater flues. Call (586) 636-6424 to book.

What is creosote?

Creosote is the residue left behind when wood smoke cools inside the flue. It can be sooty, flaky, or a hard, tar-like glaze. It's flammable, which is why buildup should be cleaned out.

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