Chimney Sweep in Washington, DC

Did you know that most winter house fires in the DC area are due to excessive creosote in the chimney from failing to clean the flue properly? Fortunately, most chimney fires are entirely preventable. That's why the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and fire safety experts encourage homeowners to have annual chimney inspections and to clean when necessary. Bethesda Chimney of DC is your hometown CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, providing superior chimney inspection and cleaning services per NFPA 211 industry standards.

We proudly serve residential, commercial, and government customers in Bethesda, MD; District of Columbia, Penn Quarter, DC; Palisades, DC; Silver Spring, MD; Capitol Hill, DC; and the entire DC area.

Why You Need a Certified Chimney Sweep in Washington DC

Just because someone says they can inspect and clean your chimney for a low price doesn't mean they have the qualifications to do it properly. Our Certified Chimney Sweeps undergo a rigorous training program and must successfully demonstrate their proficiency in the entire chimney system, including the flue, vents, and attached heating appliances. They must also possess the knowledge and technical ability to safely install fireplaces, heating stoves, and other heating appliances. In addition, our CSIA certified chimney sweeps must successfully pass a recurrent training program every two years to maintain their credentials. Bethesda Chimney of DC is also NFI Gas certified to install, clean, and repair gas-fueled heating appliances.

Chimney Cleaning

Regular chimney cleaning is the number one way to prevent fire and poisonous carbon monoxide gas exposure. You can rest assured that a certified chimney sweep will arrive at your home at the scheduled time with all the tools, supplies, equipment, and protective work gear. We also use a specialized power sweep to remove hardened flammable creosote built up in the chimney and wood stove. Creosote buildup is the number one cause of house fires in Montgomery County, MD, and DC.

Chimney Sweep Inspection

Bethesda Chimney of DC is certified for all three NFPA inspections. When our certified chimney sweep arrives, they will be able to determine whether your chimney needs a Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 inspection.

Level 1:

A basic visual inspection of accessible areas of the chimney, vents, and attached heating appliances that all homeowners should have annually.

Level 2:

This is an intermediate inspection we typically recommend for most customers in the DC area. It includes a level 1 inspection, plus a chimney scan to detect minor issues in the flue surfaces that are too small to be seen with an unaided eye. It can help prevent small cracks from growing into more extensive and costlier repairs. Not to mention a fire or health hazard.

Level 3:

When significant damage in an inaccessible portion of the chimney is suspected, a level 3 inspection will be necessary. It may require removing a chimney crown, flue liner, interior wall, or other components to locate the problem and recommend repairs to restore the chimney's structural integrity.

Dryer Vent Cleaning

Many homeowners in the Washington, DC, area are unaware of the fire hazard that a dryer vent poses. The lint tray is not the dryer vent. The vent may be located on an exterior wall behind the machine or a series of ducts that exit at the rooftop. When these ducts and vents fill with dust, lint, fibers, and other combustible materials, the heat from the dryer can eventually start a fire. Our dryer vent cleaning services reduce the fire hazard while improving efficiency and prolonging its useful lifespan.