Smoke shelf
The damper and the shelf behind it are cleaned of creosote and debris since that is where debris collects.
Chimney Sweeping
Fireplace Cleaning Stroudsburg, PA
Fireplace cleaning in Stroudsburg clears the ash, soot and creosote that build up in the firebox including the firebox, smoke shelf, grate, glass doors and the soot on the brick around the opening. One call to (272) 271-1491 reaches a chimney sweep near you.
Ash in the firebox is only part of what builds up in a working fireplace. Over a season, soot darkens the brick, creosote flakes collect behind the damper and glass doors haze over. Once it is clean, damage to the firebox walls and damper is much easier to spot.
Fireplace cleaning and chimney cleaning go together, but they are not the same job. For wood-burning fireplaces, the flue is swept along with the firebox, because the fire risk lives higher up. A gas fireplace has its own cleaning needs, from the burner and logs to the glass.
Between cleanings, taking out the ash is the part homeowners do themselves, and it carries real risk. Hot coals can hide in ash for days, so store ash in a covered metal can outdoors, never in a paper bag or plastic bin. Never use a household vacuum on ash, since a hidden ember can start a fire inside it.
Many fireplace cleaning calls in Stroudsburg also turn up a need for chimney cleaning or firebox repair.
Looking for Stroudsburg fireplace cleaning? Call (272) 271-1491 to reach a nearby chimney sweep.
Call nowThe process
What happens during a fireplace cleaning
Here is how a sweep typically cleans a fireplace.
Lay drop cloths
Drop cloths cover the hearth and floor, and a filtered vacuum is set up at the opening since ash travels easily.
Empty the firebox
Ash, coals and loose debris are removed from the firebox and grate and placed in metal containers.
Damper cleaning
Soot and creosote are scraped from the damper and the shelf above it so the damper seals properly again.
Brush the firebox
Soot is brushed from the firebrick or refractory panels and vacuumed away using methods that suit brick or panels.
Clean the glass
Doors, screens and grates get the soot and ash removed with cleaners that will not etch the glass.
Check for damage
With everything clean, the firebox, damper and hearth are checked for cracks, gaps and rust and you hear what was found.
What is included
Parts of the fireplace that get cleaned
Firebox
Ash, soot and debris are cleared from the firebox floor and walls including corners and the back wall.
Brick surround
Soot on the brick, stone or tile around the opening is lifted with dry methods first as covered in the soot removal section below.
Fireplace doors
Soot and haze are cleaned from the glass and frames with the gasket checked if it has one.
Grate
Ash dumps, grates and screens are cleaned out and checked for warping.
Related service
Soot Removal Stroudsburg, PA
Soot stains on a fireplace face come from smoke rolling out of the opening, and they set into porous brick and stone over time. Soot comes off best with dry methods first, such as a dry cleaning sponge and a vacuum, since scrubbing with water spreads it. Mild cleaners matched to the surface handle the rest, since acid cleaners can damage brick, stone and mortar.
Fresh soot stains above the opening mean smoke is escaping the firebox. Common causes are a dirty or blocked flue, a partly closed damper, wet wood, a fire built too far forward or a house that pulls air down the chimney. Ask the sweep in Stroudsburg to find the cause, or the stain will return after a few fires.
Local help
Fireplace Cleaning Near Me
Many Stroudsburg homes light the fireplace through the cold months, which means a lot of ash and soot by the end of the season. Homes in Stroudsburg and nearby towns such as Arlington Heights, East Stroudsburg, Penn Estates and Bangor include older masonry fireplaces with brick fireboxes as well as newer factory-built units with refractory panels, and each surface needs its own cleaning method. Cleaning at the end of the burning season keeps summer humidity from bringing out the smell.
Searching for fireplace cleaning near me from Stroudsburg or Arlington Heights, East Stroudsburg, Penn Estates and Bangor? Call (272) 271-1491 to talk to a chimney sweep who works in your part of town.
How the weather here affects chimneys around Stroudsburg
Cold winters keep fireplaces, wood stoves and oil burners working for half the year or more. The hardest thing on brick here is not the cold itself but the constant swing above and below freezing: water soaks into brick, mortar joints and the crown on a mild day, freezes overnight and expands, which is how cracks, loose bricks and leaks start. Wind driven rain from coastal storms finds any gap in flashing, too. That is why chimney cleaning in Stroudsburg is usually booked in the fall, before the first cold night.
Why call
Why not wait
Safer fires
Small chimney problems caught early usually stay small repairs.
Sweeps who know Stroudsburg
Chimney sweeps in Stroudsburg know the chimneys and fireplaces common in local homes.
Straight answers
Ask the sweep about the cause, the options and the estimate before work starts.
Fireplace Cleaning questions
How should I dispose of fireplace ashes?
Fireplace ash can hide live coals for days, so it needs careful handling. Shovel it into a metal container with a tight lid and set it outside on a noncombustible surface, away from the house, deck and anything that burns. Wait until it has been cold for days before it goes in the trash.
Why does my fireplace smoke into the room?
Smoke spills into the room when the chimney is not drawing well. Common causes are a partly closed damper, a dirty or blocked flue, wet wood, a cold flue at startup or a house pulling air down the chimney through exhaust fans. A sweep can check the flue and damper and pinpoint the cause.
How often should a fireplace be cleaned?
Clear ash during the season as it builds up, and have the fireplace and flue cleaned and inspected every year. Leaving a little ash helps fires catch, but too much chokes the airflow. Fireplaces burned daily may need cleaning more than once a year.
Can I clean my fireplace myself?
Taking out ash and wiping the glass are easy jobs to do yourself. The damper, smoke shelf and flue are another matter, since they hold creosote and need tools, protection and an eye for damage. A yearly visit pairs the cleaning with the inspection the NFPA 211 standard recommends.
What is the best way to clean soot from a fireplace?
Remove as much soot as you can with a vacuum and a dry cleaning sponge first. After that, a gentle cleaner and soft brush handle what is left, after a test patch. Harsh acid cleaners can etch masonry and grout, so leave them to a professional.
More questions? Call (272) 271-1491
Related services
Chimney Cleaning
Sweeping soot and creosote out of masonry and factory-built chimneys, so the flue drafts well and burns safely.
Learn moreFirebox Repair
Repairing cracked firebrick, open mortar joints and worn refractory panels in masonry and factory-built fireplaces alike.
Learn moreFireplace Repair
Restoring masonry and factory-built fireplaces so they burn cleanly and safely again.
Learn moreChimney Damper Repair
Fixing stuck, rusted or warped chimney dampers so smoke goes up and heated air stays in.
Learn more
Looking for something else?
See all chimney servicesTalk to a Stroudsburg chimney sweep about fireplace cleaning
Call (272) 271-1491 for a local chimney sweep in Stroudsburg and nearby towns.
(272) 271-1491
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