Chimney Sweep in Northwest Indiana — Clean Flue, Photos Included
A full sweep for wood or gas flues across Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties — $249, with a 21-point safety inspection and before-and-after pictures.
Every fire leaves creosote on the inside of your flue — a black, tar-like residue that hardens with each season and burns hot if it ever catches. In Northwest Indiana, where many homes run a fireplace or stove from October through March, that buildup adds up fast. NFPA 211 calls for cleaning once it reaches about an eighth of an inch, which for most regular wood burners means a sweep every fall.
Our sweep is $249 flat for wood or gas flues. The technician protects the path from your door to the hearth, seals the firebox, runs a HEPA-filtered vacuum the whole time and brushes the full length of the flue. Then comes a 21-point safety inspection and a set of before-and-after photos, so you see exactly what came out and what shape the chimney is in.
Warning signs it can't wait
- A strong campfire or tar smell from the fireplace, worse on humid days
- Black flakes or crumbly deposits falling onto the firebox floor
- Smoke rolling into the room when you open the damper or light a fire
- Fires that are hard to start or burn sluggishly
- A shiny, glazed coating visible above the damper
- Birds, nesting material or debris falling into the fireplace
- More than a year since the last sweep with regular burning
- A loud roar or popping from the chimney during a fire — call right away
Seeing two or more at once? Stop using the fireplace and call — that combination usually means the system is struggling or unsafe to run.
What your $249 sweep covers
- Loose soot and first-stage creosote brushed out of the flue
- Built-up second-stage creosote removed with rotary brushing
- Smoke shelf and smoke chamber cleaned
- Firebox cleared of ash and debris
- Damper checked for operation and a proper seal
- Nests and blockages removed from the flue
- Cap and spark screen checked from the roof
- Gas flues checked for debris and correct venting
- Photos of anything that needs attention, with a flat quote
What chimney sweep costs
The sweep is $249 flat (regularly $349) for a wood or gas flue, and before/after photos with a written report are included — no separate charge for the 21-point inspection.
| Repair / service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Chimney sweep + 21-point safety inspection | $249 (reg. $349) |
| Wood or gas flue | included |
| Before/after photos + written report | included |
What you get
Built for Region Winters
Long burning seasons leave heavy creosote. We brush the full flue, not just what's reachable from the firebox.
Pictures of Your Own Flue
Before-and-after photos show exactly what came out and what shape the liner is in.
Clean Living Room
Floor covered door to hearth, fireplace opening sealed, HEPA vacuum running from start to finish.
Inspection Included
The 21-point safety inspection is part of the $249 — nothing added at the end.
$249 sweep, inspection included
Full sweep, 21-point safety inspection and before-and-after photos — $249, wood or gas.
How it works
Confirm the visit
You get a text with your day and time window, and a heads-up before the technician arrives.
Protect the room
Drop cloths go down from the entry to the hearth and the fireplace opening is sealed.
Photograph the flue
A 'before' look inside the chimney shows how much buildup there is and where.
Sweep top to bottom
Rotary brushes work the full flue while a HEPA vacuum captures the soot.
21-point inspection
Firebox, damper, smoke chamber, liner, crown, cap and flashing are checked.
Walk through the photos
You see the after photos and get a written report, with anything urgent flagged plainly.
See the difference
Slide to compare a flue before and after a sweep.
Chimney Sweep questions
How much does a chimney sweep cost?
Ours is $249 flat (regularly $349), wood or gas, and it includes a 21-point safety inspection and before-and-after photos. There's no separate charge for the inspection.
Who does chimney sweeps near me in Northwest Indiana?
NWI Chimney sweeps chimneys throughout Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties, including Crown Point, Valparaiso, Merrillville, Chesterton, Hobart, Portage and Michigan City.
How often should a chimney be swept?
Have it inspected every year and swept when creosote reaches about an eighth of an inch. For regular wood burners that's usually once a year, ideally in late summer or early fall.
Is a chimney sweep messy?
It shouldn't be. The path is covered, the fireplace opening is sealed and a HEPA-filtered vacuum runs throughout, so the soot goes into the machine.
How long does a chimney sweep take?
Most sweeps with the inspection take about an hour to an hour and a half, depending on access and how much buildup there is.
Do gas fireplaces need to be swept?
They don't make creosote, but the vent can collect debris or nests and the burner needs cleaning. A yearly service with a safety check is the gas equivalent of a sweep.
What's the difference between a chimney sweep and an inspection?
A sweep cleans the flue; an inspection evaluates the chimney's condition. Ours includes both: the sweep plus a 21-point safety inspection.
When is the best time to book?
Late summer and early fall. Once the first cold weather comes off Lake Michigan, most of the Region wants a sweep the same week.
Can I use my fireplace right after the sweep?
Yes, as long as the inspection didn't turn up a safety problem. If it did, you'll see the photos and we'll tell you plainly whether it's safe to burn.
Ready for a safer, cleaner chimney?
Same-week appointments, honest flat pricing, no scare tactics — and same-day emergency service when it can't wait. Licensed and insured.