theiceman

Got a call yesterday from a Chimney sweep company as my house i bought has a wood burning fireplace. Woman said i should get it cleaned yearly and its about 155 plus tax to have it done . Does this sound reasonable ? i doubt i will do it yearly but figured i should start fresh as i dont know current condition.

I thought of doing it myself but the thought of falling off the roof isnt a pleasant one.

any comments ?

BTW i did tell the lady if the guy comes he has to dress like a chimney sweep like in Mary poppins. She says they dont get the request very often but they will do it if i ask ( tall hat and everything )

AM993

Depending on how often you use your fireplace, once a year or once every 2 years is a good idea. I am paying about the same amount, except last time where I found a Groupon deal for $45.00 + tax (and the guy did a good job too)!
If you decide to tackle the job yourself, I have a chimney brush and extension rods... good luck Mary Poppins

Imo000

I think they clean the chimney from bottom up now days. They use flexible rods that screw together in segments. At least that's I think my father in law said a couple of years ago. you should be able to buy the brush and do it yourself. But first, have the chimney inspected before spending the money cleaning it.

Benny771

My gran used to put a handful of table salt in the fire every 10th fire or so... she never had her chimney cleaned and the house is still there after 100 years. Apparently it dries out any creosote.

wc11

Price is reasonable. I think getting it done once professionally by a pro in the business (make sure they're insured and have workers comp) so you have a clean start since you don't know what was burned in there before.
Then depending on your own personal use, burning one of those creosote reducing logs yearly will help.

Christien

We had ours done professionally when we moved in back in 2004, and I think maybe once again since then. So maybe once every 5 years. I think it was $100 or $120. We use our fireplace a lot - probably 3-4 times a week, more when it's really cold, below -15. The guy who cleaned it said burn one of those chimney sweep logs once a year or so - that'll make a big difference.

Dr Mitch

Price is about right - we also had a coupon (but for $90 not $45)...
He said if we use it regularly, shouldn't need too much cleaning - once every 2-4 years.
They'll check the damper etc.
He did take a ladder up to the top to check out the coping etc, but for the cleaning he did it all from the fireplace.
Not a spec of dust left anywhere too.

fenixv8

Just bought a house with one and Home inspector told us to have it done. It was $150 but I think my wife found a groupon or something. Once a year for regular use I guess.

jumper5836

I just a good fire going and use a chimney swip log or two once a year.

petee_c

I was under the impression that open fire fireplaces weren't very efficient. Using warm house air to fuel the fire.

Peter

Jaak Lepson

Spend the money to get it cleaned and inspected. If there is a fire in the home the insurance company cannot refuse the claim. Cover your assets.

Wish I had one. Those that do can get inserts that draws cold air from outside to keep the house warmer. If firewood is almost free ... saves on heating bills.

JimV8

Stay away from a wood fireplace. Inevitably it will be a one shot deal.

Donster

You need to sweep the chimney at least semi-regularly or it's a fire hazard. How often depends on how much you use the fireplace.

I don't recommend this as a DIY job. My Dad used to make me clean our two chimneys when I was a teen because he was afraid of heights. It's a filthy, messy, unhealthy job. I used to feel like I had smoked about 200 cigarettes afterwards. If you can pay someone to do it for you, it's worth it.

molson cdn

Paid $120 (3 yrs ago) for 40 feet of 6" fireplace pipe that goes straight up.
No bends or elbows, otherwise the price would have gone up.
i have a wood stove with a glass front- the glass stays clean once the piping has been cleaned. Noticeable difference.
Last year, i purchased the cleaning eqpt from RONA. Everything cost me approximately $65.
For me, cleaning the piping is really easy (but dirty) and i dont have to wait/book appts, etc..

theiceman

Molson do you clean from the bottom or top ?

I think based on what i have seen here i will get it profesionally done the first time and see what and how they do it , then do it myself after if they do it from down below.

My chimney rises about 6- 8ft above the roof level so it would mean leaning a ladeer against a chimney on the roof then climbing up . No way I am doing that .. with my luck the chimney would give way and i am now dead.

Thanks Guys