Chimney Sweeping Services
The traditional rod-and-brush sweep, done thoroughly and cleanly — the foundation of a safe fireplace.
Sweeping is the mechanical heart of chimney maintenance: physically brushing the flue walls to dislodge soot and creosote so it can be collected and removed. Where 'cleaning' describes the whole service, sweeping is the technique — and doing it well takes the right brush for your flue's size, shape and material.
Frank & Sons sweeps clay-tile, metal and masonry flues serving fireplaces, wood stoves and inserts throughout the Pittsburgh area. Every sweep is paired with a look at the flue's condition so you're never guessing about what's happening above your firebox.
When to schedule a sweep
- It's been twelve months or more since your last sweep.
- You're buying or selling a home with a wood-burning fireplace.
- You notice soot falling into the firebox.
- The fire is harder to start or doesn't draw the way it used to.
- You're bringing an unused fireplace back into service.
How we sweep
We match the brush to your flue — an undersized or wrong-material brush leaves buildup behind, while an oversized one can score tile liners. After setting up containment at the firebox, we rod the full length of the flue, working the brush against every wall to bring down soot and loosened creosote.
Once the flue is swept, we clear the smoke shelf and damper, vacuum the firebox, and check that the cap and crown are intact. If we find glazed creosote that brushing can't remove, we'll explain your options rather than leaving a hazard in place.
Why it matters in Greater Pittsburgh
Older Pittsburgh housing stock often has original clay-tile liners that need a careful hand. We sweep them thoroughly without the aggressive tooling that can crack aging tile — an important distinction in neighborhoods full of century-old masonry.
Our Process
Straightforward, honest, and built around getting it right the first time.
Call or Request Online
Reach out by phone or the form. Tell us what's happening and where — we'll gather the details that matter.
Inspection & Diagnosis
We examine the system, often with a camera, to find the real cause rather than guessing at the symptom.
Clear Recommendation
You get a plain-English explanation and honest options — repair before unnecessary replacement, always.
Quality Workmanship
We do the work with the right materials and technique, then confirm the result and leave the area clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
They're closely related. Sweeping is the brushing technique; a full cleaning includes sweeping plus clearing the smoke shelf, damper and firebox and inspecting the system.
Standard brushing removes soot and soft, flaky creosote. Hard, glazed creosote often needs specialized treatment — we'll tell you if that's what we find.
Just make sure the fireplace is cold and clear the area in front of it. We handle the rest, including containment and cleanup.
Related Chimney & Fireplace Services
Chimney Sweeping Across Greater Pittsburgh
We provide chimney sweeping throughout Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities within roughly 60 miles.
Request Chimney Sweeping
Tell us what's going on and where — we'll match you with the right help. No email required; leave your number and we'll call you back.
- ✓ Honest recommendations — repair before unnecessary replacement
- ✓ Camera-backed inspections that show you what's really there
- ✓ Serving Greater Pittsburgh within roughly 60 miles
- ✓ Family-run crew from first call to finished job
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