CHIMNEY SERVICES

THE BLACK MAGIC DIFFERENCE

Attention to Detail

In our industry, the standard service is a chimney sweep and “Level I inspection.” This service generally takes half an hour to forty-five minutes. As your friendly Neighborhood Sweeps, we believe that your chimney deserves a closer look. For this reason, our standard is the more thorough Level II inspection. We find what other sweeps miss.

We Know That You Have Questions and Concerns About Your Chimney. We Make Time For You.

We set aside 2 hours for your service call so that your service is never rushed and our technicians can discuss the health of your chimney with you. The other guys schedule 45 minutes or maybe an hour. They’re eager to get to that next appointment. Your service is never rushed, and our technicians will take the time to discuss the health of your chimney with you. We’re eager to answer all of your questions.


We’re Nationally Certified and We Know What We’re Doing

Our sweeps are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Their mission is “to foster public awareness of issues relating to chimneys and venting performance and safety, and to promote the education of associated professionals through technical training and certification opportunities.” We align with CSIA values, and we’re constantly educating our staff in order to keep up with evolving safety regulations, service techniques, and federal fire code.

✓  Nationally Certified
✓  Constantly Educating our Staff
✓  We Know What We’re Doing
✓  We Take Time For You
✓  Chimney Safety  Institute of America (CSIA)

✓   Nationally Certified

✓   Constantly                           Educating our Staff

✓   We Know What                   We’re Doing

✓   We Take Time For             You

✓   Chimney Safety                 Institute of 

       America (CSIA)

✓  Nationally
       Certified
✓  Constantly                     Educating our             Staff
✓  We Know What           We’re Doing
✓  We Take Time             For You
✓  Chimney Safety           Institute of 
       America (CSIA)
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Picture of Annual Chimney Cleaning

ANNUAL CLEANING

Do you do chimney sweeps without inspections?

On occasion, someone will call us and ask to do a sweep without an inspection. It may seem like a good way to trim down costs, but when you factor in the potential risks (and expense!) of not inspecting, we do not recommend this approach. We are here to help you understand the requirements and safety codes, and why we choose to perform our work according to the National Fire Protection Code (NFPA 211). This code recommends that all chimneys get inspected every year and swept as needed. That is precisely what we do.


Once we are done, all customers get a written inspection report with our findings and services performed. You will then have the opportunity to choose to work with us further if additional work is requested or required. Just approve the quote, and we'll be on our way to meeting and exceeding your expectations time and again.

How much do you charge for a sweep?

This is probably the most asked question. The easy answer is “probably not enough.” When we bought the business we honored the past owners’ rates and we’ve only increased the sweep charge slightly over the last few years. We intend to stay right in the middle of the market. Some sweeps will charge more and some will charge less. We want you to feel so enthusiastic about our service that you spread the word and we hope our pricing is always fair in your eyes.


Our sweeping system is set up to help our customers prepare for the harsh winters and use of their heating appliances by offering discounts for doing sweeping work in the slow season.


Our staff will always welcome inquiries from new customers and we will gladly offer the discounts when we can. However, we do have to charge a premium for the busy season. This is in part due to the additional costs and in part to help our customers stay on track and do the service before it might be needed in the busy Fall and Winter months.

SAFETY INSPECTION

The Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association recommends having your insert and venting system inspected annually and serviced by a CSIA certified chimney professional. Certified professionals will make sure the appliance is installed properly per the code and manufacturer’s recommendations. Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association recommends having your insert and venting system inspected annually and serviced by a CSIA certified chimney professional. Certified professionals will make sure the appliance is installed properly per the code and manufacturer’s recommendations. 

Virtual Chimney Assessment

Level 1

Inspection

If your fireplace, stove or chimney hasn’t changed and you plan to use your system as you have in the past, then a Level 1 inspection is required.

Examine readily accessible* portions of chimney exterior
Examine readily accessible portions of chimney interior
Examine accessible** portions of stove or fireplace and chimney connection
Check if chimney is free of obstruction and combustible deposits (such as creosote) and evaluate soundness chimney structure and flue as well as the basic fireplace or stove installation and connections
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Level 2

Inspection

A Level 2 inspection is required when any changes are made to your fireplace, stove or chimney system. Changes may include:


A change in fuel type
Changes to shape, size or material of the flue (such as chimney relining)
Replacement or addition of a stove or fireplace of a different type
Replacement or addition of a stove or fireplace of a different input rating or efficiency
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Level 3

Inspection

Level 3 inspection is required when a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection suggests a hidden hazard which cannot be evaluated without using special tools or demolition to access concealed areas of the chimney or flue.
Includes Level 1 & 2 inspection
Assesses both the condition and proper construction of the concealed portions of your chimney structure and flue
May require removal of certain components of building or chimney (such as your chimney crown or interior chimney wall) for access to concealed areas that must be inspected
Daily analytics
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Note: A Level 2 inspection is required:

 

  • Upon sale or transfer of a property
  • After an operational malfunction of your stove or fireplace (such as a chimney fire)
  • After an external event that may have caused damage to the chimney (such as building fires, earthquakes or severe weather)


A Level 2 inspection is more thorough and detailed than a Level 1 inspection. A Level 2 inspection includes everything in a Level 1 inspection, plus inspection of the accessible portions of your chimney interior and chimney exterior. It also includes inspection of basements, crawl spaces and attics adjacent to your stove or fireplace and chimney, with attention to proper clearances from combustible materials in accessible locations.

 

A Level 2 inspection requires no demolition and requires no specialty tools to open doors, panels or coverings. A Level 2 inspection may include visual or video inspection of the internal joints and surfaces of chimney flue liners, as long as it is not necessary to remove or destroy any permanently attached portions of the chimney or building structure or finish.


* Readily Accessible: Exposed, or capable of being exposed, for operation, inspection, maintenance or repair without the use of tools to open or remove doors, panels or coverings.


** Accessible: May require the use of commonly available tools to remove doors, panels or coverings, but will not damage the chimney or building structure or finish.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Here are some questions we’re often asked:
  • Do You Do Chimney Inspections Without Sweeping?

    Well, there are some cases that do not require sweeping but we always do inspections. If the chimney does not have creosote buildup requiring a sweep, then we will do the inspection without sweeping (and charge accordingly).

    In other cases, the unit may require a different level of chimney inspection (NFPA 211 lists 3 levels of inspection). It is possible that the unit may not need to be swept in one of those cases as well but most of the time we do need to sweep first.

  • What Happens When You Run Into Something Unexpected?

    We have always maintained a “fairness” policy. We understand we’re here to serve our customers and community. If we run into something unexpected, we will ALWAYS bring it to your attention.

    You will NEVER find us covering up something that you need to know about.

    This is a serious business and reputation matter. Only the most ethical, honest sweeps will have long careers in this business. We would never sacrifice the quality of service for short term gains.

  • What Goes Into an Inspection?

    The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has established the minimum chimney inspection standards for home heating appliances, including fireplaces and wood stoves (see NFPA Publication 211).

    It used to be that the scope of work involved in chimney inspection, stove inspection or fireplace inspection was left to the discretion of the individual chimney service technician. Fireplace and chimney professionals now have a national industry standard that eliminates much of that “discretion.” There is a standard way to go about inspections and any sweep worth his or her salt will be able to fully explain that standard to you.

    The NFPA now classifies all inspections as Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3. Here is what each level of inspection means and what services your chimney and fireplace professional should provide for each level. For additional information view the CSIA’s breakdown of Chimney Inspections.