What's Included
- Level 1 chimney inspection
- Complete creosote and soot removal
- Firebox cleaning
- Smoke shelf and damper cleaning
- Exterior chimney cap inspection
- Free dryer vent inspection with every chimney sweep
- Detailed condition report
Why Chimney Sweeping Matters
Creosote — the tar-like residue left by burning wood — is the number one cause of chimney fires. Just 1/8 inch of buildup is enough to ignite. The NFPA reports that chimney fires cause over $125 million in property damage annually in the United States.
Beyond fire safety, a dirty chimney can allow carbon monoxide to back up into your home instead of venting properly. Annual chimney sweeping and inspection is a simple, affordable way to protect your family and your home.
Our 5-Step Chimney Sweep Process
Exterior Inspection
We inspect the chimney crown, cap, flashing, and exterior masonry for signs of damage, deterioration, or animal nests.
Set Up Dust Protection
We lay down protective drop cloths and set up a commercial vacuum at the firebox to contain all soot and debris. Your home stays clean.
Sweep & Remove Creosote
Using professional chimney brushes and rods, we thoroughly sweep the flue from top to bottom, removing all creosote, soot, and blockages.
Firebox Cleaning
We clean the firebox, smoke shelf, and damper area, removing all accumulated ash and debris for proper airflow.
Final Inspection
A Level 1 visual inspection of the entire flue system. We check the flue liner, damper operation, and provide a detailed report of the chimney's condition.
What a Proper Chimney Sweep Looks Like
Chimney work has a reputation for mess and mystery. Neither should be true. Here is our process on a standard wood-burning fireplace:
1. Sealed containment first. Before a single rod goes up the flue, the fireplace opening is fully sealed and drop cloths protect the hearth and floor. Our commercial vacuum runs with the fireplace sealed for dust containment for the entire sweep — the soot stays in the flue and the vacuum, not in your living room.
2. Level 1 visual inspection. Every sweep includes a visual inspection of the accessible flue, firebox, damper, and smoke chamber. We are checking creosote depth, obstructions (nests are common), and visible damage. Technicians are trained to CSIA standards and follow NFPA 211, the safety standard for chimneys and venting.
3. Mechanical sweep of the flue. Rotary rods and brushes matched to your flue size scrub creosote and soot off the liner from firebox to crown, with the vacuum capturing everything at the sealed opening.
4. Cleanup and walkthrough. The firebox and damper area are cleaned out, the seal comes down, and the technician walks you through what was found — including anything we recommend watching, with recordings from internal camera work available on request.
Chimney Pricing, Explained Honestly
A chimney sweep with Level 1 visual inspection is $169. If you only want the inspection — say, you just bought the home and want to know the chimney’s condition before burning — a standalone Level 1 visual inspection is $139, and if cleaning is authorized during the same visit, that $139 is credited toward the $169 sweep. You never pay for both.
We also install chimney caps and spark arrestors, patch fireplace cracks, and handle commercial chimney work by custom quote. If a technician recommends additional work, you will get the reason and the price in writing before anything happens.
How Often Should a Chimney Be Swept?
NFPA 211 calls for chimneys to be inspected annually and cleaned when needed. In practice, for Bay Area homes that burn seasonally, that means: have the chimney looked at once a year, and sweep when creosote builds to about 1/8 inch anywhere in the flue — sooner if you burn frequently or burn softwoods.
- Before the first fire of the season — October through January is our busiest window; book ahead.
- After buying a home — a $139 Level 1 inspection tells you what you actually inherited.
- If you smell smoke indoors, see poor draft, or hear animals — all three are sweep-and-inspect triggers regardless of the calendar.
- Gas fireplaces too — less creosote, but flues still need inspection for blockage, corrosion, and proper venting.
What Customers Say About Our Chimney Service
Cal Duct Cleaning holds a 4.9★ rating across 349 Google reviews and more than 1,000 five-star reviews across Yelp, Google, Thumbtack, HomeAdvisor, and Angi. Here is what recent customers say about this service, quoted verbatim from our public Google listing:
“I called Cal duct to get my fireplace cleaned. They were able to come out the same week. They were timely, professional and our fireplace is clean & ready for the winter. I’ve never had our fireplace cleaned so I wasn’t sure what to expect. They exceeded my expectations and left the inside of our home very clean. I would definitely use them again!”
“Very good guys. They came and cleaned the chimney and installed the cap few months ago. However, the cap installation was not tight enough. The recent Bay Area winds blew the cap to over front yard. I called them and they scheduled a service in no time for the next day and installed it again for no charge. That’s what professionalism is all about.”
“This is the 2nd time we use Cal Duct to clean our wood burning stove. The crew showed up on time, came and clean up our chimney and stove very well. Very happy with their service, plus their rate is competitive and lower than the other 2 companies in the South Bay that I called to compare with.”
“Giovanny came to install a chimney cap. It fell down due to the high winds, and he came out again to reinstall and tighten it down. Let's see if it holds up! He's a kind person, and the whole company runs very efficiently. I appreciate that.”
“Mary, thank you for the five stars! Fair, transparent pricing is a promise we keep on every job. We appreciate your support and are here anytime you need air duct, dryer vent, or chimney cleaning in the Bay Area — Cal Duct Cleaning has you covered.”
“Called Cal Duct Cleaning and they were able to come out same day! They were professional, personable and quick. We were missing a chimney cap and not only did they have one, they were able to install it . Very nice guys - would recommend”
Creosote, in Plain English
Creosote is the residue wood smoke leaves as it cools inside the flue. It arrives in three stages: a dusty soot that brushes off easily, a flaky tar that takes real mechanical scrubbing, and a glazed, hardened layer that can require specialized treatment. Every wood fire deposits some — the variables are how much you burn, what you burn, and how well the flue drafts.
The reason sweeps exist is that creosote is combustible: let it accumulate and a hot fire can ignite the flue itself. That is a chimney fire, and many happen quietly — homeowners discover the damage at the next inspection. It is also why the standard is inspect annually, sweep at roughly 1/8 inch of buildup, and why burning seasoned hardwood at a hot, steady draft beats smoldering damp wood every time. Our technicians show you what stage your flue is in during the Level 1 inspection, and the sweep resets you to bare liner.
Find This Service Near You
Chimney sweep near you:
San Jose Sunnyvale Cupertino San Francisco Fremont San Mateo Redwood City Gilroy
Related services:
Dryer Vent Cleaning ($149) Air Duct Cleaning ($399) Commercial Chimney Services
Our Work
Standards & Certifications
Our chimney sweep service fully complies with NFPA 211 — Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances. This is the national standard for chimney safety, and we follow it on every single job.
- NFPA 211 compliant cleaning and inspection
- Professional chimney brush and rod systems
- Licensed and insured technicians
- Detailed written condition reports
Service Area
We provide chimney sweep services throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, including:
Planning ahead? Tap below to add Cal Duct Cleaning as a preferred source on Google. Next time you search for air duct, dryer vent, or chimney cleaning, Google highlights us so we’re easy to spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Protect Your Home from Chimney Fires
Book your chimney sweep today. Includes a Level 1 inspection and free dryer vent check.