Licensed and Certified Chimney and Dryer Vent Technicians

Clean Sweep of Anne Arundel County Chimney and Vent Specialists is a full service chimney and venting system service. We are equipped to address all your maintenance and safety needs. All of our work is performed by Licensed Certified Chimney Sweeps.

The importance of regular chimney maintenance is emphasized by the National Fire Protection Association. The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual inspection of all chimneys, fireplaces and vents.

Chimney Sweeping is necessary to remove creosote deposits and other debris from chimneys and vents. Fireplaces and wood stoves are designed to safely contain wood-fuel fires, while providing heat for a home The chimneys job is expelling the by-products of combustion- the substances produced when wood burns. These include smoke, water vapor, gases, unburned wood particles, hydrocarbon volatile, tar fog and assorted minerals. As these substances exit the fireplace or wood stove, and flow up the relatively cooler chimney, condensation occurs. The resulting residue that sticks to the inner walls of the chimney is called creosote. Creosote is black or brown in appearance. It can be crusty and flaky...tar-like, drippy, and sticky... or shiny and hardened or puffy. Whatever form it takes, creosote is highly combustible.If it builds up in the chimney it can lead to chimney fires and or flue blockages.

Heavy Glazed Creosote Puffy Creosote Puffy Creosote 2

We employ a variety of cleaning techniques to remove chimney deposits. The method chosen or recommended for your chimney will depend on the type of deposits and type of chimney.

Chimney Safety Institute of America

Standard Sweeping: This is the standard or basic cleaning process method and involves the use of brushes to remove deposits on the chimney flue liner. A powerful well filtered vacuum is used to prevent soot and creosote from entering the home. These type of sweeping/cleaning is effective for soot and ordinary creosote deposits, but has little effect on glaze or 3rd stage creosote deposits.

Mechanical Cleaning/Rokleen: Mechanical cleaning involves the use of wire brushes, plastic cables, or special chains rotated at a high speed by an electric motor. Mechanical cleaning is often employed to remove hard creosote or glaze deposits.

Chemical Cleaning: Special chemicals are used to loosen or dissolve heavy deposits of creosote and glaze. This can be used in conjunction with a mechanical cleaning.


National Fire Protection Association has developed 3 Levels of Inspection Procedures. The circumstances which give rise to the inspection determine what level of inspection is to be conducted.

For more details on level 1, 2, and 3 inspections, click here.

Preventative maintenance is always more cost-effective than making repairs that could have been avoided. Annual chimney sweeping and inspections are critical for regularly used chimneys. Even if used occasionally, a chimney system should be routinely inspected.

Benefits of routine chimney inspections and maintenance:

  • Assure chimney integrity for all fuels: oil, gas, wood or coal

  • Catch problems before they cause expensive repairs

  • Monitor changes over time-like seeing a dentist regularly

  • Protect your home investment

  • Increase the safety and performance of your heating appliance

Leaky Chimneys

Beginning late each fall and throughout the rainy season we receive dozens of calls from homeowners experiencing a tremendous amount of water coming in down or around their chimneys and fireplaces or stoves. There are a number of things we look at in diagnosing the source of the problem.

The first thing we evaluate is where the water is showing up. This gives us and indication of where to begin looking for the water entry point. We examine the flashing, the roof around the chimney,the crown, the chimney cap and of course the condition of the chimney itself. This type of comprehensive approach allows us to make a professional evaluation and give you recommendations.

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