“How much does it cost to have my chimney swept?”
One of the most common questions we are asked by our customers is how much a chimney sweeping costs. This question often accompanies a comparison of our prices to another company.
At Jack Pixley Sweeps, we are proud to offer our customers above average chimney services for an average price. While our prices may seem higher than some door-to-door or seasonal chimney sweeps, we have years of experience, training, education, and cutting edge technology to provide our customers excellent fireplace and chimney services.
When does my chimney need to be swept?
In general, most homes need to have their chimney swept at least once per year. The National Fire Protection Association recommends all homes have annual chimney sweepings and inspections.
For homeowners who use their fireplaces on a frequent basis, sweepings may need to be done more than once per year. An average fireplace will need to be swept once for every cord of wood that is burned. If you burn more than one cord of wood over the course of the winter, which is common for those who use a fireplace or stove as a primary heat source, the chimney may need to be swept mid-winter.
How much does a chimney sweeping cost?
The cost of a chimney sweeping depends on a number of factors including location, experience of the chimney sweep, time since maintenance was last performed, and more. The national average for a chimney sweeping is between $150 and $350.
In the metro area of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, as well as the surrounding counties, homeowners can expect to pay between $189 to $300. These prices represent the high industry standards in the area as well as the demand for fireplace and chimney services; prices for chimney sweepings in the metro area may be higher than smaller cities in Minnesota due to the training, education, equipment, and more of the chimney sweeps.
Pricing between chimney sweeps varies; the price you are quoted often reflects the longevity of the company, the education and experience of the technicians, the type of liability insurance and workman’s comp that is covered, and more. Updated equipment and new technology that reflects current industry best practices can also have an impact on pricing.
In general, higher pricing is indicative of more a well-established, well-respected chimney sweep company. Higher prices also generally reflect the reputation on the company, the amount of time that is spent on a job site, the professionalism of the technicians, and the thoroughness of the chimney sweep cleaning and inspection.
What does a chimney sweeping include?
A chimney sweeping should include both a cleaning of the fireplace and chimney along with a basic inspection. During the sweeping the chimney technician will remove any soot, ash, and creosote from the flue. The removal of any built-up creosote is especially important; creosote is extremely flammable, and accidental ignition of creosote is one of the leading causes of chimney fire.
In addition to cleaning the chimney, the technician will inspect and accessible portions of the fireplace and chimney. This visual inspection can help identify any areas of damage of deterioration – before they turn into major chimney issues. An inspection is also a helpful tool in helping the chimney technician identify the cause of fireplace performance problems such as drafting issues or weak fires.
Why Hire a Professional
While many of us love hunting around for a bargain, hiring the least expensive chimney sweep may hurt your fireplace in the long run. Extremely low prices, such as those offered by some door to door chimney sweeps, often a low level of service; you may think your chimney has been cleaned when in actuality soot, ash, and harmful creosote have been left behind.
Take the time to research a chimney sweep before hiring them to work on your home. Look for chimney sweeps who hold professional certifications, such as those by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, or are members of professional organizations such as the National Chimney Sweep Guild. A professional chimney sweep should also be able to provide you with references, reviews, and copies of their liability insurance.
The Jack Pixley Sweeps Difference
At Jack Pixley Sweeps, we are proud to offer our customers above-average services for an average price!
There are a number of things that set us apart from our competition. The first is longevity and experience; Jack Pixley Sweeps has been in business since 1977, and our technicians have experience totaling over 70 years! Next, our company has a strong focus on education and training. Our technicians are fully insured, CSIA certified, and take continuing education courses to renew their certifications every three years.
This focus on training and education extends to our customers as well! We enjoy taking the time to discuss chimney issues, repairs, and procedures with our customers. You will often find us sharing articles with customers covering topics from chimney physics to drafting problems to intrusive water issues.
The team at Jack Pixley Sweeps have worked hard to develop a strong professional reputation – and we stand behind our work! We are proud to offer our friends and neighbors in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area high quality, customer-focused chimney services. For more information on our chimney and fireplace services or to schedule your next sweeping, contact us today!
With fall in full swing, days getting shorter, and temperatures dropping, many homeowners are scrambling to have their chimney’s swept before winter arrives. However, it can be difficult to tell the good from the bad when it comes to chimney sweeps. Instead of price shopping or hiring the first person that comes to your door, make sure to trust your chimney system to a certified professional this year.
Are all chimney sweeps certified?
The mark of a CSIA certified chimney technician
The fireplace industry was unregulated for many years; this allowed anyone with a few brushes to call themselves a chimney sweep. Unfortunately, many of these “professionals” were untrained, seasonal workers who did nothing more than move soot and ash around and leave behind dirty fireboxes and floors.
For more than 30 years, the Chimney Safety Institute of America, or CSIA, has worked to regulate the fireplace industry by certifying chimney sweeps. Their education and training to industry professionals helps to prevent chimney fires and increase public awareness of safety issues surrounding fireplaces and chimneys.
Why hire a CSIA certified chimney sweep
The CSIA certification is the gold standard of education and training in the fireplace industry. CSIA certified sweeps have undergone years of rigorous education and testing on subjects including:
– Safety practices
– Fireplace and chimney building dynamics
– Local and national fire and building codes
– Maintenance and installation of gas heating appliances
– Current EPA emissions standards
In order to maintain their CSIA certifications, sweeps must complete continuing education courses and retest every three years. This ensures that CSIA certified sweeps are always up to date on the latest advancements in the fireplace industry.
Finding the right chimney sweep
While homeowners should do their research before hiring a chimney sweep, price shopping will find you savings – but rarely the best chimney services. Instead, look for a company with CSIA certified chimney sweeps, several years of experience, and a good professional reputation. The following are some examples of questions to ask before hiring a chimney sweep.
– How long have you been in business in this area?
– Do you have references available from current customers?
– Does the company or individual chimney sweep carry liability insurance?
– What is your rating with the Better Business Bureau? Are there any complaints filed against you currently?
– Will the chimney sweep who works at my home be CSIA certified?
Working with a professional chimney sweep makes a difference!
Chimney sweeps have come a long way since the days of Bert and the singing sweeps from Mary Poppins! Modern chimney sweeps are educated, certified, and trained professionals who can do much more than simply clean your flue.
Jack Pixley Sweeps are proud that all of our sweeps are CSIA certified; this gives our customers confidence knowing they are working with knowledgeable, reliable professionals. For more information on the importance of working with a certified chimney sweep or to schedule your next appointment, contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today!
As temperatures soar and the sun seems to stay up forever, few homeowners would ever consider using their fireplaces in the summer. Instead of letting your chimney sit idle, however, think about having your chimney swept in the summer.
There are a number of benefits to summer chimney sweeping that cannot be found in any other season. From convenient appointments to no lag in fireplace usability, now is the best time to have your fireplace swept!
The Importance of Annual Maintenance
Chimney systems are like any other home appliance; in order to keep working its best, it needs regularly scheduled maintenance. For your fireplace, this means an annual chimney sweeping and inspection. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that all homes have their chimney swept and inspected at least once per year.
“A chimney inspection is like an annual dental check-up,” says Ashley Eldridge, Director of Education for the CSIA. “It’s preventative maintenance that helps minimize potential hazards.”
Chimney sweepings ensure your fireplace and flue are clean, free from blockages and debris, and are safe to use throughout the burning season. Having these annual maintenance items accomplished during the summer allows you to use your fireplace system worry free all winter long.
Summer – The Best Season to have Your Chimney Swept
After a long winter season of burning, few homeowners think about their fireplaces during the warm months of summer. Be prepared for the first cold snap of fall, however, by having your chimney swept now. The following are three reasons to schedule your chimney sweeping this summer.
- More convenient appointments. Summer is considered the low season for many chimney sweeps. Because of this, it is often easy to get the right appointment time for your schedule – and to schedule it sooner rather than later. Instead of waiting for weeks and rearranging your schedule to be home for the chimney sweep, summer often gives homeowners the opportunity to find the most convenient appointment.
- Remove harmful buildup. Soot, ash, and flammable creosote build up in the hearth and flue during the burning season. Removing them over the summer can help your fireplace burn more safely and efficiently; the creosote removal during a chimney sweeping can also help reduce your risk of chimney fire.
- Be ready for fall. Be ready to use your fireplace on the first cold day fall has to offer by having the chimney swept now. This ensures there are no harmful blockages or dangerous buildup, and you can use your fireplace as soon as you want to – not as soon as you can wait for an appointment.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
While we are in the middle of the dog days of summer fall is just around the corner. Ensure your fireplace is ready for the upcoming burning season by scheduling your next chimney sweeping as soon as possible. For more information on the importance of annual maintenance or to schedule your chimney sweeping, contact Jack Pixley Sweeps today!
One of the most common questions we are asked by our customers is how much a chimney sweeping costs. This question often accompanies a comparison of our prices to another company.