How is my chimney cleaned?
October 3, 2026 · 3 min read · Chimney Sweep Master, Cary, IL
Rotating soft-bristle brushes, working from the bottom up, and a look at the top — here's what happens when we sweep your chimney.
A lot of homeowners picture a sweep on the roof pushing a stiff wire brush down the flue. Chimney cleaning has changed. Here's how we clean chimneys for homeowners in Cary, Crystal Lake, Barrington and nearby towns.
A rotating, soft-bristle brush
Nowadays a chimney is cleaned with a rotating brush. We use soft bristles so we don't scratch a stainless steel chimney pipe (liner). The spinning brush scrubs soot and creosote off the flue walls without damaging the metal.
We clean from the bottom up
We work from inside the house, from the fireplace up through the chimney. That gives us control of the brush the whole way up and lets us catch the soot as it comes down.
Then we inspect the top
Once the flue is clean, we inspect the top of the chimney: the cap, the crown and the masonry. A clean flue is also what makes a real inspection possible, because soot hides cracks and damage.
Ready for a cleaning? Our chimney cleaning and inspection for a standard single-flue open fireplace is $290. Book online or call us.
Want a licensed sweep to take a look?
Chimney Sweep Master, 426 Lloyd Street # B1, Cary, IL 60013 — serving Cary, Crystal Lake, Barrington and the surrounding towns since 1985. You can upload photos of your fireplace or chimney with your request.