Nothing beats a fire on a cold Kansas City night, as long as the chimney can handle it. Our chimney and flue cleaning in Kansas City sweeps out the soot and creosote that build up inside a wood-burning fireplace flue, clears nests and debris, and checks that the damper works, so smoke goes up and out instead of into your living room.
What is creosote, and why does it matter?
When wood burns, smoke carries unburned particles and vapors up the chimney. As they cool against the flue walls, they condense into creosote, a dark deposit that can be flaky and sooty, crusty and tar-like, or hard and glazed. All forms are flammable. A thick enough layer can ignite and cause a chimney fire, which can damage the flue and put the house at risk.
Creosote builds up faster when:
- You burn wet or unseasoned wood
- Fires smolder at low temperatures
- The damper is kept mostly closed
- The chimney runs cold, like on an exterior wall
- Airflow in the flue is restricted
NFPA 211 and annual inspection
NFPA 211, the Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, recommends that chimneys, fireplaces and vents be inspected at least once a year, and cleaned when the inspection shows it's needed. That's why the common advice is to have your chimney checked every year, ideally before burning season starts.
Around Kansas City, late summer and early fall are the best time to book, before the first cold snap has everyone lighting fires the same week.
Signs your chimney needs cleaning
- A strong, smoky or tar-like smell from the fireplace, especially in humid weather
- Smoke drifting into the room instead of drawing up
- Black, flaky debris falling into the firebox
- Fires that are hard to start or keep going
- Visible buildup on the damper or flue walls
- Animals, nests or leaves in the chimney
- It's been a year or more since the last sweep
Our chimney and flue cleaning process in Kansas City
- Protect the room. We lay drop cloths and set up containment and a vacuum so soot stays out of your home.
- Visual check. We look at the firebox, damper, smoke chamber and flue with lights and a camera where possible.
- Sweep the flue. Brushes sized to your flue remove soot and creosote from the liner, smoke shelf and smoke chamber.
- Clear the debris. Nests, leaves and fallen debris are removed and hauled out.
- Report back. We tell you what we found, including anything that should be looked at by a specialist.
What this service covers, and what it doesn't
We focus on cleaning. This service covers sweeping wood-burning fireplace flues, removing creosote and soot, clearing blockages, and checking the damper and what we can see of the flue.
We do not do chimney masonry repair, tuckpointing, crown rebuilding, liner relining or structural work. If we spot cracked flue tiles, a damaged crown, loose bricks or water damage, we'll tell you and recommend that you have a qualified chimney repair specialist evaluate it before you keep burning. NFPA 211 also describes a more detailed inspection level that's often recommended when a home is sold or after a chimney fire; a chimney specialist can advise on that.
Chimney swifts and other birds
Chimney swifts are a native bird that nests inside chimneys during the warmer months, and they're protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. If you hear chattering in the flue in summer, an active nest generally can't be removed until the birds have left. We can clean out the old nest afterward and talk about a chimney cap. Birds in other vents? See vent bird nest removal.
Gas fireplaces and furnace flues
Gas fireplaces and appliance vents don't produce creosote, but they can still collect debris, nests and corrosion, and a blocked flue can be dangerous. If you have a gas appliance, make sure your carbon monoxide alarms are working and have the appliance and its venting checked by a qualified heating professional. For the rest of your heating system, see furnace and blower cleaning.
Get ready for burning season
Pair your chimney cleaning with other fall prep: dryer vent cleaning before the holidays and a residential air duct cleaning before the furnace runs all winter.
Get a free chimney cleaning quote
Tell us about your fireplace, how often you burn, and when it was last swept. Call or request your free quote below and we'll get you ready for a safe fire season.
