The CSIA recommends annual chimney sweeping for all wood-burning fireplace and stove systems regardless of frequency of use. In Florida, where chimneys are typically used sporadically during a short heating season and then sit unused through a long humid summer, annual sweeping before first use of the season is the recommended minimum standard. A chimney used fewer than five times per season still requires annual sweeping because the combination of humidity-exposed deposits, wildlife activity potential, and cold-flue first-fire conditions produces creosote and risk regardless of how few fires were burned.

A professional chimney sweep includes full-length flue brushing from crown to firebox using rotary wire brushes sized to the flue diameter, smoke chamber and smoke shelf cleaning, firebox and ash pit debris removal, HEPA vacuum containment throughout, creosote stage assessment, pre- and post-sweep photography, and a written report documenting scope and findings. Always Fire & Gas performs inspection and sweeping in the same visit – the inspection assesses all accessible chimney components before the sweep begins, and the sweep addresses what the inspection found.

Always Fire & Gas uses a 3-motor HEPA vacuum system that creates negative pressure inside the firebox and flue before any sweep equipment enters the chimney. Particulate is captured in HEPA filtration throughout the process. The firebox opening is sealed against the hearth during sweeping. The hearth area is photographed before and after. If we leave any ash, soot, or particulate on any surface in the room, we come back and clean it. That guarantee has never been invoked.

A combined inspection and sweep visit for a standard residential chimney typically takes one to one and a half hours. The inspection phase assesses all accessible chimney components. The sweep phase follows immediately. If Stage 2 or Stage 3 creosote is found and chemical treatment is indicated, the timeline extends and a return visit may be required for the mechanical removal phase. Always Fire & Gas provides a time estimate when scheduling based on your chimney type and last known service history.

Stage 2 creosote is a tar-like or hardened black deposit that adheres to flue tile surfaces and cannot be removed by standard rotary brush sweeping alone. It is produced by incomplete combustion and accumulates more rapidly in chimneys with sporadic use, wet wood, or cold-flue first-fire conditions – all of which are common in Florida’s seasonal use pattern. Stage 2 removal requires application of a chemical creosote remover or catalyst that alters the deposit’s structure, followed by mechanical removal after the chemical has acted. Always Fire & Gas identifies creosote stage during the inspection phase and addresses Stage 2 deposits with the appropriate chemical and mechanical process.

Stage 3 creosote is a concentrated, glazed or thick fuel-form deposit that coats flue surfaces and burns at temperatures exceeding 2000°F in a chimney fire. It cannot be removed by brush sweeping or standard chemical treatment. Stage 3 remediation involves heavy chemical application, extended dwell time, and mechanical removal – and in cases where the deposits have damaged liner tiles or where complete removal is not achievable without liner access, relining may be required. Always Fire & Gas performs Stage 3 assessment and provides a written scope of work before any Stage 3 remediation begins.

Stage 2 creosote accumulates more rapidly under specific burning conditions than under heavy regular use: cold flue walls at the start of a fire, wet or unseasoned wood, restricted air supply, and the combination of cool flue temperature and condensing moisture that is characteristic of a Florida chimney’s first fires of the season. A chimney used five times in November under these conditions can produce Stage 2 deposits that a chimney used fifty times under ideal northern winter conditions does not. The number of fires is less important than the conditions under which they were burned.

Yes. Always Fire & Gas performs inspection and sweeping in the same visit. The inspection comes first, assessing all accessible chimney components and documenting creosote stage. The sweep follows immediately, using the appropriate brush sizes and techniques for what the inspection found. You leave the visit with both a documented condition report and a clean chimney. There is no requirement to schedule a separate inspection appointment before booking a sweep.

Yes. Wood-burning fireplaces and wood stoves produce creosote and soot as combustion byproducts and require mechanical sweeping with rotary brushes to remove flue deposits. Gas fireplaces do not produce creosote and do not require traditional flue sweeping. Gas fireplace service involves cleaning the firebox, inspecting and cleaning the burner assembly and ignition components, checking the gas connection, and verifying venting – a different scope from a wood-burning sweep. If you have a gas fireplace, call (352) 282-0158 to confirm the appropriate service scope before booking.

Always Fire & Gas does not publish a fixed chimney sweep price because the correct scope – and therefore the correct price – depends on the creosote stage found, the flue size and configuration, and the access conditions at your property. A Stage 1 annual sweep for a standard single-flue chimney is priced differently than a Stage 2 chemical treatment and mechanical removal. Quoting a single price for both would either overcharge one customer or underdeliver to another. Call or text (352) 282-0158 and describe your situation – we will give you a price range in the same call.