Sweep, inspection or repair?
Most calls start with "I need my chimney cleaned." What you are really buying is a sweep (removing soot and creosote) plus an inspection (finding what is wrong). Ask which level of inspection comes with the sweep.
SweepBrushes and vacuums soot and creosote from the flue, smoke chamber and firebox, or the venting and burn pot on a pellet stove.Every year for most wood stoves
Level 1 inspectionA visual check of the readily accessible chimney, appliance and connections. The right level when nothing has changed and nothing is wrong.The yearly standard
Level 2 inspectionAdds the attic, crawl space and roof, usually with a video camera down the flue. Expected after a home sale, a chimney fire, or a new stove or fuel.Ask if the camera costs extra
Level 3 inspectionOpening walls or the chimney to reach a hidden part. Only when a Level 2 points to a serious concealed problem.Rare; never the starting point
The rule of thumb: the national fire code (NFPA 211) calls for an inspection every year, and sweeping when it is needed. The Chimney Safety Institute of America treats about 1/8 inch of buildup as time to sweep. If you heat with wood all winter, expect a sweep every year.
When to book in Bend
Calls pile up when the first cold nights arrive. These are rough patterns, not company policies, but planning around them saves a cold wait.
- Aug–SeptEasiest scheduling, dry roofs and time to order a cap or liner before you need heat.
- Oct–NovPeak season. Call as early as you can and get on more than one list.
- Dec–FebSnow and ice on roofs. Mostly urgent calls: smoke in the house, draft problems, cracked parts.
- Apr–JuneA smart off-season sweep. Clears acidic creosote that would otherwise sit in the flue all summer.
Warning signs: stop burning and call
Do not light another fire if you notice:
- A roaring or rumbling sound, or sparks and dense smoke from the chimney top
- Smoke spilling into the room
- Flakes of creosote, tile or liner pieces in the firebox
- Cracked or missing mortar, or a leaning chimney
- Scorch marks on nearby walls, mantel or ceiling
- A strong, tar-like smell that doesn't go away
- A missing or damaged chimney cap
- Water stains near the chimney
If you think the chimney is on fire right now, get everyone out and call 911. After any chimney fire, have a Level 2 inspection before using it again; the liner can crack even when the fire burns out on its own.
Creosote, and how to make less of it
Creosote is the tar-like residue of incomplete burning. It sticks to the cooler upper flue and can ignite. Bend's climate helps: firewood dries fast in high-desert summers. The habits below matter most.
- Burn dry wood. The EPA's Burn Wise program recommends a moisture content of 20% or less; a cheap moisture meter tells you. Split wood stacked off the ground and covered on top dries far faster than a pile. See our Bend firewood guide for local sellers.
- Burn hot, not smoldering. Long overnight burns with the air turned all the way down produce the most creosote.
- Never burn trash, cardboard, wrapping paper or treated lumber. They burn too hot or leave corrosive residue.
- Ask what kind of buildup you have. Light, sooty creosote brushes out. Shiny, glazed creosote may need a chemical treatment, and can mean the stove or flue is the problem.
Wood, pellet and gas need different service
| Appliance | What service includes | When you call, mention |
|---|---|---|
| Wood stove or insert | Sweep the flue and connector pipe; check baffle, firebrick, door gasket and, on catalytic stoves, the combustor. | Make and model, how much you burn, roof pitch and height. |
| Open masonry fireplace | Sweep the flue and smoke chamber; check damper, firebox mortar, crown and cap. | Whether it has a liner, and any smoke problems. |
| Pellet stove | Clean the vent pipe, burn pot, heat exchanger and fans; check gaskets and the vacuum switch. More mechanical than a sweep. | Brand; whether it is a pellet stove or a pellet insert. |
| Gas fireplace or insert | Clean glass, check burner, pilot and ignition, log placement, vent and gasket, carbon monoxide. | Make and model, natural gas or propane, pilot or ignition problems. |
Chimney caps, crowns and water leaks
Snow sitting on roofs, freeze-thaw cycles and strong sun are hard on chimneys. Water stains near a chimney usually come from one of these:
- Missing or damaged cap. A cap keeps out snow, rain, birds and debris. In wildfire country, ask about a spark-arresting screen too; our wildfire home hardening guide covers embers and vents.
- Cracked crown. The concrete top of a masonry chimney cracks, water gets into the brick, and freeze-thaw does the rest.
- Failed flashing. Where the chimney meets the roof. That may be a job for a roofer rather than a sweep.
- Chase cover rust. Homes with a framed, sided chimney "chase" (common with factory-built fireplaces) have a metal top that can rust and leak.
Find the leak before you pay for waterproofing. A good sweep tells you whether you need them, a mason or a roofer.
Buying or selling a home with a stove or fireplace
- Check the stove's label. Oregon requires uncertified wood stoves and fireplace inserts to be removed and destroyed when a home is sold, with a notice to DEQ. Certified units (EPA or Oregon DEQ label on the back or side) can stay. Details on DEQ's wood stove FAQ.
- Order a Level 2 inspection. A general home inspection does not look down the flue. Ask for a written report with photos covering the liner, clearances, cap, crown and flashing.
- Check carbon monoxide alarms. Oregon law requires working CO alarms when a home with a carbon monoxide source, such as a fireplace, stove or gas appliance, is sold or rented.
- Get the repair split in writing. Ask the sweep which items are safety repairs and which can wait, and use that in negotiations.
Also see our guide to Bend home inspectors.
Before you book: questions to ask
Tick these off as you call around. Your ticks stay put until you close the tab.
On the day
- Let the stove or fireplace go completely cold; ask the company how long before the visit to stop burning.
- Clear the hearth and mantel and make a path to the appliance.
- Shovel or clear access to the side of the house and mention roof snow, steep pitches or a locked gate.
- Secure pets, and mention any smoke, smell, leak or past chimney fire up front.