Small Town Chimney Sweep LLC

"Small Town Chimney Sweep LLC did a fabolous job on rebuilding my chimney. They were thorough and meticulous. Joe even offered several different brick choices to match what was origninally there. They are an honest company that stands behind their work. I highly recommend them."

Andy Miller, Poughkeepsie

"Very pleased with Joe and his team from the beginning when explaining the process to the timeline of the work to the end when the invoice came - no surprises! Pleasant and friendly... they came on time and left our yard spotless after the work was completed. We highly recommend!"

Anne Gile, Poughkeepsie

"Joe arrived right on time to clean our chimney after many years of neglect. He was extremely knowledgeable and explained everything he did and spoke to me extensively about safety. I could tell the difference in the first fire after he was here. Meticulous, comprehensive work; the guy obviously cares about what he does and takes tremendous pride in his work... a rare bird these days. Highly recommend, without reservation!'

Jill Z., Highland

"Joe repaired the top of my chimney. Very knowledgeable, neat and excellent work. Price was very  reasonable.'

Craig V. , Poughkeepsie

How often does my chimney need to be cleaned?

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 211  "Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom  from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary." Spring or Summer is usually the best time to get your chimney flue cleaned, and inspected. Having us come to clean your system, and using a camera to inspect your flue will give you peace of mind when having fires in the fall.

Why is smoke coming back into my home when I start a fire?

Sometimes the problem starts with your chimney being too short at the roofline, or a blockage may have occured. In this case call a professional. A cold chimney will create a negative draft. You need the flue nice and warm to create the positive draft it needs to go up and out.  First, lets make sure the damper is open. Turn off any exhaust fans like the one over your oven. Next, crack a window in the room to allow air in and heat the flue with a piece of rolled up cardboard. Have your fire ready to light!

Is water getting into my home through my chimney?

Water can enter your home through multiple points on your chimney. An exposed flue will allow water to rain down and damage your smoke shelf. A stainless steel cap will remedy that. Making sure that your crown, brick and mortar joints are all in good shape will keep the structure dry. Waterproofing the masonry is a great option. The flashing can also allow water to enter. Applying a flexible sealant to the flashing is a cost effective solution.

Why does my chimney smell so strongly in my home?

Summer time brings humid weather and if you have thick creosote deposits it will give off a very strong and unpleasant odor. Call us to clean behind the smoke shelf and your flue system thoroughly.