Toronto burns a lot of wood between November and March, and every fire leaves creosote on the inside of the flue. A thin layer is normal; a thick, glazed layer is what starts chimney fires. The usual rule for a wood-burning chimney is an inspection at least once a year and a sweep whenever deposits build up — for most GTA homes that burn through the winter, that means once a year.
A sweep runs $249 to $549 plus HST, and where it lands depends on how much is in the flue. A chimney swept every year with light soot is at the low end; heavy or glazed creosote, a flue left for years, or a nest to clear out takes longer and costs more. The technician looks first and tells you the final price before he starts — no surprises on the invoice. Then he covers the floor and the opening, brushes the full flue from the top or the bottom depending on the roof, vacuums the smoke shelf and firebox with a HEPA vacuum, and photographs the liner, cap and crown so you can see their condition.
When to call
- Smoke rolls into the room when the fire starts
- A strong campfire smell in summer or after rain
- Black flakes or crumbs in the firebox
- You burn more than a cord a season
- It has been more than a year, or you just bought the house
What the visit looks like
- Cover and sealDrop cloths from the door to the hearth, the opening sealed, HEPA vacuum running.
- Sweep the whole flueRotary or rod brushes sized to your liner, top to bottom.
- Final price, then photosPrice agreed before the brushes go up; photos of the flue, cap and crown after.
