Home/Services/Chimney Cleaning
G★★★★★ 4.9 Rated · 363 Google Reviews
Chimney cleaning is not a sweep. It is the PCR (Poultice Creosote Remover) chemical treatment for hardened, glazed, third degree creosote that brushes cannot remove. Applied by CSIA certified technicians, followed by a sweep and a camera inspection.
BBB A+ accreditedAngi Super Service Award, 2019 to 20254.9 stars, 363 Google reviews
Professional. Certified. Trusted.
CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep (Chimney Safety Institute of America), NFI Certified (National Fireplace Institute), NCSG Certified and Member (National Chimney Sweep Guild), Certified Chimney Professional (CCP credential of the National Chimney Sweep Guild), HeatShield Certified Installer (HeatShield chimney lining and flue repair system). Every badge opens the organization's own directory, where Green and Clean Home Services is listed.
CSIA Certified Chimney SweepChimney Safety Institute of AmericaVerify listingNFI CertifiedNational Fireplace InstituteVerify listingNCSG Certified and MemberNational Chimney Sweep GuildVerify listing
Certified Chimney ProfessionalCCP credential of the National Chimney Sweep GuildVerify listingHeatShield Certified InstallerHeatShield chimney lining and flue repair systemVerify listingReviews
Homeowners from Painesville to Strongsville describe the same visit: a clean fireplace, a clean carpet and a technician who explained what he found.
363 reviews
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“David promptly responded to our request for inspection, called when he was en route, and arrived on time. He used a drone to examine the chimney exterior and a camera for the interior, provided a copy of the inspection video, and presented a range of options for prioritizing the repairs. Excellent value, highly recommend!”
“David was amazing! He cleaned our basement, family room, stairs, and upholstery. With a dog and 3 active kids we 110% notice the difference in our home. I can’t wait to schedule him regularly.”
“Amazing service. I’ve had my chimney swept and inspected three times and my air ducts cleaned. I will not go anywhere else. Professional, detailed, helpful and affordable! Hands down 12/10 recommend!”
“Extremely professional, fantastic work. Ducts and rugs were cleaned and both look brand new. Definitely recommend and the price can’t be beat.”
“Wonderful job! Service was right on time. Everything was explained very well step by step. Everything was cleaned up well upon finishing. Would recommend to others.”
“Green and Clean did a great job with our carpets and furniture! Even a few weeks later we couldn’t be happier with their fast, efficient, and thorough service.”
“David is efficient and does a great job. Very professional and we totally trust his work. I can highly recommend him.”
“Cleaned vent efficiently and quickly. Very personable. Would use again.”
633 reviews
Super Service Award winner 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
“David from Green and Clean was very prompt with a detailed estimate on repairing my in-law’s chimney. His crew came out and did a nice job of fixing the chimney by redoing the crown, tuck pointing and repairing damaged bricks. The chimney now looks great. Very satisfied.”
“David conducted a comprehensive analysis of the chimney issues and presented us with viable options for resolution. Highly recommended for individuals seeking expert assistance in such matters.”
“David was great. He explained every process. Did a thorough job cleaning and even used a drone to check the chimney. He even took the time to review the fireplace process.”
“Good job, got done properly and fast. The crew worked even late hours to complete and cleaned everything up when done.”
“David was phenomenal! Communication was fantastic, he was on time and extremely friendly. He did a fantastic job with the chimney sweeping and reviewed the video of his findings and spent time answering all of my questions.”
“I needed to have my chimney inspected in order to sell. David was knowledgeable, thorough and honest. He swept the chimney, inspected the roof and basement. All was good and clean. He is even pet friendly.”
“David is always a pleasure to work with! Our entire family goes to him and he always delivers quality work. We appreciate his honesty and the pride he takes in his work. He always shows us the before and after.”
“We needed to have a stove pipe reinstalled for a wood burning stove after it was blown off by a windstorm. Job was done quickly, and we are pleased with the work done.”
36 reviews, 5.0 average
Better Business Bureau accredited since March 2019.
“Service was great and quick! We needed carpet cleaning done as quickly as possible and we greatly appreciated getting an appointment without much notice.”
“Fantastic, very thorough and explained the process clearly. He worked quickly and was courteous and so friendly.”
“Responded immediately, came quickly, worked efficiently, and was upfront with the pricing. More than that, his work is high quality.”
“Super knowledgeable and explained things very thoroughly. Clear that he knows what he is doing. Very patient with all my questions.”
“Wonderful, professional and informative! We got to see the before and after. Nice job!”
“Very professional and knowledgeable. He was punctual to the appointment, and explained everything he was going to do.”
“Efficient, very polite and friendly. I highly recommend Green and Clean! He did a great job and was in and out.”
Neighborhood recommended
Recommended by neighbors across Lake and Cuyahoga counties.
“David cleaned our ducts and chimney and did a wonderful job.”
“David was great. He gave me options and got the job done quickly. Great service today.”
“Green and Clean. He is amazing. Well priced and impeccably done.”
106 recommendations
Recommended by 106 people on Facebook. Open the page to read every recommendation.
Facebook does not allow its recommendations to be displayed off platform. Open the page to read all 106 recommendations.
What is included
A chimney sweep removes soot and loose creosote with rods and brushes. Chimney cleaning goes further: when the camera shows shiny, tar like, third degree glaze, we apply PCR, a poultice that bonds with the creosote, dries and breaks it loose so it can be swept out. It is a more involved, multi visit process, recommended only when the chimney needs it.
Why it matters
A fireplace that runs from Thanksgiving to Easter in Geauga County burns a lot of wood. Every log leaves something behind, and it is fuel.
In NFPA's study of home heating fires, failure to clean was the leading contributing factor, involved in roughly a quarter of fires, mostly chimneys and solid fuel equipment.
Source: NFPA, Home Heating Fires reportThe U.S. Fire Administration lists heating as the second leading cause of residential building fires, behind only cooking. Many of those fires start in chimneys and flues.
Source: U.S. Fire AdministrationEPA Burn Wise recommends burning wood with moisture content below 20 percent. Wetter wood smolders, sends more smoke up the flue and lays down creosote faster.
Source: EPA Burn Wise programWarning signs
Most of these show up long before anything dangerous happens. Catching them early is the point.
Air conditioning pulls house air down the flue. If the smell of old fires shows up in July, creosote is the source and there is a lot of it.
A gray film on the mantel, hearth rug or wall above the opening means smoke is spilling out instead of going up. The smoke chamber is usually packed.
Doors that go dark in a single evening point to a smoldering fire. Wet wood, poor draft or both, and each feeds buildup in the flue.
If the handle grinds or the plate will not seat, creosote has caked on the frame. A damper that cannot close also wastes heat all winter.
Older Cleveland and Lakewood homes have an ash dump under the firebox. Decades of ash hold moisture and odor and hide a cracked cleanout door.
Small crackles high in the flue during a fire can be creosote flakes igniting. That is a warning shot, not background noise.
A flue narrowed by buildup drafts poorly. If the fire sulks and the room gets smoky, the chimney is probably the reason.
Annual cleaning and inspection is the national standard, even for fireplaces that only see a few fires a season.
How it works
The technician looks at the firebox, damper and glass with you, then lays drop cloths, covers furniture and seals the opening before any tool comes out.
The flue is brushed from the top or the bottom depending on the cap and roof, then the smoke chamber and smoke shelf are scrubbed by hand. Glaze gets rotary chains and treatment.
Ash dump emptied, firebrick and hearth cleaned, damper freed and tested, glass cleaned inside and out. Nothing leaves the sealed area until the vacuum has run.
A short camera pass confirms the flue is clean and shows any cracked tiles or open joints. You get photos, a written summary and a suggested interval.
Before and after
Drag the slider. Real jobs by our technicians in Northeast Ohio.
BeforeAfterCrown rebuild and new cap
BeforeAfterThree flues capped
BeforeAfterRusted chase cover replaced in stainless
BeforeAfterHeatShield flue resurfacingOn video
Short clips from our technicians and customers across Northeast Ohio. Tap any clip to play it here.
Service walkthroughChimney sweep and video inspection
Why Green and Clean
Cleaning is where shortcuts happen. A quick brush, a shop vac and a fast exit leave the smoke chamber untouched and soot on the furniture. Our visit takes longer because it does more.
| What matters | Green and Clean | Typical coupon service |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning depth | Flue, smoke chamber, firebox, damper, glass | Flue only |
| Dust control | Sealed opening plus HEPA vacuum | Shop vac and hope |
| Products | Botanical and plant based | Whatever is on the truck |
| Scheduling | Monday to Sunday, 8 AM to 8 PM | Weekdays, long waits in October |
Pricing
Two fireplaces that look alike from the couch can be very different jobs once the camera goes up. Three factors set the estimate, and you get a firm written price before any work starts.
Stage 1 soot brushes out. Stage 2 flakes take more passes. Stage 3 glaze needs rotary chains, a chemical treatment and sometimes a second visit. The camera tells us which before we quote.
Glass doors, an insert that has to be pulled, a rough smoke chamber that needs parging or a second flue for the furnace each add time and are listed separately.
Homes on an annual plan carry less buildup, so the visit is shorter. We suggest an interval that fits how often you burn.
A loud rumble, a low roar or flames at the top of the chimney mean creosote is burning. Get out and call 911 first, then call us. The line is staffed 24/7 and a technician will scan the flue for damage before you burn again.
Related services
Service areas
From our shop in Mentor on the Lake we cover Lake, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Summit, Portage, Medina and Lorain counties. Enter your city to confirm coverage.
FAQ
A sweep clears the flue and includes the camera scan and Level 1 or 2 inspection. Cleaning adds the smoke chamber, firebox, ash dump, damper and glass doors, and we recommend it for heavy use fireplaces or systems that have gone several seasons. If you only need the sweep, we will say so.
Stage 3 glaze is hard, shiny and bonded to the tile, and brushes slide right over it. We use rotary chains on a flexible shaft, and thick glaze gets a treatment that breaks it down between visits. The camera confirms when the tile is clean.
Gas burns cleaner, but the flue still collects debris, nesting and rust scale, and the burner and logs collect dust that changes the flame. We recommend an annual inspection and cleaning when the camera calls for it.
Most single flue fireplaces take one to two hours including the camera check. Add time for glazed creosote, an insert removal or a second flue.
Yes. Many customers book the same week each year, usually late summer, and we send a reminder. Annual service keeps buildup at stage 1, which means a shorter visit and no surprises in November.
Yes. The cleaners and disinfectants we bring inside are botanical and plant based, the same Benefect and Puracy products we use on carpets and upholstery. No harsh solvents, no lingering fumes.
Free estimate
Tell us about your chimney, fireplace, ducts, dryer vent, carpet or upholstery and we will come back with straight answers and a firm price. No pressure, no upsell.
Chimney, fireplace, masonry, air ducts, dryer vents, carpet and upholstery. One trusted team.
