A chimney sweep clears the soot and creosote from your flue so smoke can leave the home safely. With The Chimney Guys that means five things: the flue swept top to bottom, the firebox cleaned, a camera inspection, a draught (smoke) test and a zero-mess setup. It takes around 45 to 60 minutes and starts from $349 + GST.
What does a chimney sweep do, and what is included?
Every sweep by The Chimney Guys includes five things, the same for an open fireplace or a wood heater flue:
- The flue swept from top to bottom to remove soot and creosote
- The firebox cleaned and the ash removed
- A camera inspection inside the chimney
- A draught (smoke) test after the clean
- A zero-mess setup, with floors and furniture covered
It starts from $349 + GST. Caps, bird mesh, nest removal and small repairs go beyond the sweep and are always quoted before they're done.
Key Takeaways
- A sweep is more than brushing the flue: the firebox, a camera inspection and a draught test are part of it.
- The camera shows blockages, nests and damage that you can't see from the fireplace.
- The draught test confirms the chimney draws properly after the clean.
- Anything beyond the sweep is quoted first, and a signed compliance certificate is available on request.
"Chimney sweep" can mean very different things depending on who you book. Some services brush the flue and leave; others add an inspection or a test for a fee. Here is exactly what ours covers, step by step, and the questions people ask most about it.
Is a chimney cleaned from the top or the bottom?
We sweep the flue from top to bottom, so the soot and creosote come down into the fireplace, where they are collected with the ash when the firebox is cleaned. The fireplace opening and the floor around it are covered first, so the soot stays contained inside the fireplace instead of drifting into the room. Working from the top means the brush clears the full length of the flue, including the section near the cap where leaves and nests tend to collect, before the firebox is cleaned last.
Is chimney cleaning messy?
It shouldn't be. Floors and furniture near the fireplace are covered before the sweep starts and the soot is contained, so the room is left clean when we finish. Protective sheeting goes down around the hearth and vacuum tools collect the soot and ash as the firebox is cleaned, rather than sweeping it into the air. The only thing you should notice afterwards is a cleaner firebox. If anything is not left the way it should be, tell your technician before they leave.
What does a chimney inspection show?
Our chimney inspection is done with a camera inside the flue, and it shows what you can't see from the fireplace: soot and creosote left in the flue, bird nests, leaves and other blockages, and cracks or damage. It's included in every sweep, so you know the flue is clear before your next fire. It also means any extra work is based on what the camera actually shows, not a guess. If it shows a creosote coating that needs watching, our guide to the signs of creosote buildup explains what to look out for between sweeps.
What is a draught test?
A draught test, or smoke test, checks that smoke is drawn up the chimney instead of drifting back into the room. We run it after the clean, because a flue that looks clean still needs to draw properly. A chimney relies on draught to pull smoke up and out, and a blockage, a damaged part or a poorly working damper can all stop that happening. If smoke still spills into the room after a sweep, see why a fireplace smokes into the room for the other causes to check.
How long does a chimney sweep take to clean a chimney?
A typical sweep takes around 45 to 60 minutes for an average chimney, including the setup, the flue sweep, the firebox clean, the camera inspection and the draught test. Some jobs take longer. A flue with heavy soot and creosote takes longer to clear than a yearly maintenance sweep, a double-storey chimney or a steep roof adds time, and several flues on one visit mean more time on site. Floors and furniture are covered for the whole visit, so you can carry on with your day while we work. Your technician will tell you on arrival if your chimney looks like a longer job.
From $349 + GST with the camera inspection and draught test included.
What's not included in a standard sweep?
Installing a chimney cap or bird mesh, removing a nest and small repairs go beyond a standard sweep. If the camera inspection shows that one of these is needed, your technician quotes it on the spot and you approve it before any extra work is done. Nothing is added to the job without your OK. A signed compliance certificate is available on request. We clean wood-burning fireplaces and wood heaters only, so gas fireplaces are not part of the service.
What do industry guidelines say about wood heaters?
The Australian Home Heating Association recommends cleaning the flue or chimney at least once a year. For wood heaters, it also lists checking that the baffle plate is intact and correctly located, and that the door seal, glass seal and latch are in good condition. The NSW EPA advises cleaning the chimney, flue and baffle at the end of every winter. For how a wood heater sweep differs from an open fireplace, see open fireplace vs slow combustion cleaning, and for timing, how often to sweep a chimney.
How do you know if your chimney needs sweeping?
The clearest signs are smoke coming back into the room, a strong smoky or sooty smell when the fire is out, black flakes falling into the firebox, thick sticky residue on the damper, and a fire that is hard to start or keep going. If none of those apply but it has been more than 12 months since the last sweep, it is still due: the NSW EPA advises a professional flue check and clean at least once a year. Our guide to the signs of creosote buildup covers each sign, and is a chimney sweep worth it is answered in our cost guide.
What is the average cost to sweep a chimney?
We can only speak for our own price: a sweep starts from $349 + GST, the same for an open fireplace or a wood heater flue, and that price includes all five parts above. What can change it is the time since the last sweep, the chimney's height and roof access, and how many flues you have. For the full breakdown, see chimney sweep cost in Sydney. Explore our full chimney sweep Sydney service, or get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.
