Chimney Cleaning & Creosote Removal

Professional Sweeping for Fireplaces, Stoves, and Gas Appliances

A good burn should be simple: light the fire, enjoy steady flames, and watch smoke disappear up the flue. When the chimney is dirty, everything feels harder—fires are sluggish to start, smoke rolls into the room, and soot odors linger. On Long Island, where winter humidity and coastal air meet, creosote can form quickly—especially when the wood isn’t fully seasoned or fires are allowed to smolder. DME Maintenance provides thorough chimney cleaning and creosote removal for masonry fireplaces, inserts, freestanding stoves, and vented gas appliances. We brush the flue with the right rods and heads, clean the smoke chamber and firebox, vacuum with HEPA containment, and verify draft before we leave.

Why clean? Because creosote is fuel. As deposits thicken, they restrict draft and can ignite, causing a dangerous flue fire. Cleaning removes soot and creosote, reduces odors, and restores the flue’s effective cross-section so your system breathes properly. You’ll get more heat from the same wood, less smoke at startup, and a safer, more predictable burn.

What We Clean—End to End

• Firebox & smoke chamber: Remove soot, brush ledges, and shape rough transitions that cause turbulence.
• Flue: Rotary/hand brushing matched to clay tile or stainless liner; we target hard-to-reach offsets without damaging the liner.
• Connector & baffles (stoves/inserts): Disassemble as needed, clean baffles and secondary air paths, then re-assemble to spec.
• Termination: Clear screens and verify the chimney cap is secure and free of restrictions.
• Work area protection: Drop cloths and HEPA vacs keep dust out of the living space; we leave the hearth cleaner than we found it.

How Often Should You Schedule a Cleaning?

For most wood-burning homes, an annual cleaning with a full chimney inspection is the safest rhythm. Burn three or more cords a season? You may need mid-season touch-ups. If your fires are smoky, the wood is not fully seasoned, or you run the stove low and slow, creosote builds faster. Gas fireplaces and furnaces create less soot, but their vents still collect dust, spider webs, and corrosion—so periodic cleaning and a safety check are smart and often required by manufacturer guidance.

Signs It’s Time to Clean

• Smoky startups or smoke odor even when the fireplace is cold
• Black flakes, crunchy deposits, or tar-like glaze visible in the firebox
• Stove glass darkening fast despite proper air setting
• Visible soot at the cap or debris on the crown
• CO alarms, eye/throat irritation, or headaches after running the appliance

Our Step-by-Step Process

1. Protect & prep: Set drop cloths, mask off as needed, and set up HEPA containment.
2. Brush & vacuum: Select rods/heads for your flue type; clean firebox, smoke chamber, and flue; vacuum debris as we work.
3. Mechanical methods for glaze: When safe/appropriate, we use specialized tools to reduce stubborn glaze. (Severe glaze may require staged remediation.)
4. Termination check: Verify cap screens are clear and fasteners are secure; recommend cap upgrades where helpful.
5. Draft & safety: Confirm draft and discuss any repairs: stainless liners, masonry repair, or blockage removal if needed.
6. Documentation: Provide notes and photos so you can plan maintenance confidently.

Reduce Creosote Between Visits

• Burn seasoned wood: Split and dry your firewood 6–12 months; store it covered with ends exposed.
• Air is your friend: Don’t smolder; allow adequate air on startup and during the burn to keep flue temperatures healthy.
• Right-size the appliance: An oversized fireplace or stove leads to cool, inefficient burns—ask about liners or adjustments.
• Cap the flue: A quality chimney cap keeps out rain and debris that mix with soot to form sticky deposits.

When Cleaning Reveals Other Issues

Cleaning is often when hidden problems show up: cracked tiles, gaps at mortar joints, warped baffles, or a loose termination. Finding these early is a win—you can plan smart, affordable fixes before the season ramps up. We’ll explain options clearly and only recommend what the system actually needs, whether that’s a masonry repair, a stainless liner for safety and sizing, or a quick blockage removal if nesting is discovered.