Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Trusted Chimney Sweep for Manchester Homeowners
Most Manchester homes with a fireplace or wood stove have a flue that hasn’t been looked at by anyone who knows what to look for. Creosote builds up quietly through a burning season, and by the time you notice a draft problem or a smoky firebox, the flue has already been telling you something for months. A professional sweep finds that early, shows you the evidence, and fixes it before it turns into liner work. Manchester Chimney Cleaning has served this city since 2012, led by owner Tim Sandoval, with a crew that handles the inspection, the cleaning, and any repair under one roof. We identify the problem and fix it – no handoff to a second contractor. Call (888) 804-9712 to book your sweep. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm.

Chimney Sweep Services
Chimney Sweep Services cover the full arc of keeping a flue clear and safe: a camera inspection, a thorough cleaning of the firebox and flue, and a written report with photos of anything we find. You need this once a year if you burn regularly, and any time you move into a home with an unfamiliar chimney, notice a strong smoky smell, or see dark staining around the damper. At Manchester Chimney Cleaning, we run a camera down the flue and show you the footage before we recommend anything. A standard sweep in Manchester typically runs $180-$340 depending on flue condition and access, and the written estimate sets the final price. Estimates are free.
What a Standard Sweep Covers
We clean the firebox, smoke chamber, damper, and flue, then run a camera to check for cracks, gaps, and creosote glazing. We document what we find in a photo report you keep. If everything is sound, we tell you so and you’re done for the season.
When a Sweep Becomes a Repair
Sometimes the camera finds a cracked flue tile or a failed joint that a brush alone can’t fix. That’s where our HeatShield liner restoration comes in – a cost-effective alternative to full relining that most sweep-only competitors can’t offer. We quote the repair on the spot, from the same crew, so there’s no second appointment with a stranger.
Styles & brands we work with
- Sweep & inspection
- Caps & crowns
- Flue relining
- Masonry repair
- Gas fireplace service
Chimney Cleaning
Chimney Cleaning is the step that removes what the inspection finds: soot, creosote, and debris from the flue and smoke chamber, done with professional brushes and a closed vacuum system that keeps dust out of your living room. It matters most in a cold-climate city like Manchester, where a long heating season means more buildup between cleanings, and where a house that sat vacant can hide a nest or a blockage in the flue. Our cleaning uses professional-grade materials and a HEPA vacuum at the firebox so the room stays clean. Typical chimney cleaning in Manchester runs $180-$340, priced by the estimate after we see the flue. Gas and oil flues are priced separately.
Creosote Stages and What They Mean
Creosote goes from light soot to a flaky crust to a glazed, tar-like coating that a brush won’t remove. Glazed creosote is the stage that calls for a chemical treatment or liner work rather than a standard cleaning. We tell you which stage you’re at and show you why.
Dust Control and Cleanup
We seal the firebox opening before we start, run a vacuum rated for fine soot, and lay drop cloths over the hearth and surrounding floor. When we leave, the room should look like we were never there.
Fireplace Cleaning
Fireplace Cleaning focuses on the firebox itself: ash removal, soot off the masonry or firebrick, cleaning the glass doors and grate, and clearing the smoke shelf and damper so the fireplace drafts the way it should. You need it when the firebox smells smoky even when there’s no fire, when ash has built up past the grate, or when the glass on a sealed unit has gone opaque with soot. At Manchester Chimney Cleaning, we handle wood-burning fireboxes and gas inserts alike, and we check the damper and smoke shelf while we’re in there – the two spots most often missed. A fireplace cleaning in Manchester typically runs $180-$340 depending on the unit and how much buildup there is, with the written estimate setting the final price.
Wood Fireboxes and Smoke Shelves
The smoke shelf sits just above the damper and collects soot and debris that a quick brush-over misses. We clear it as part of every fireplace cleaning, because a blocked shelf is one common reason a fire smokes into the room.
Cleaning Around Gas Inserts
Gas inserts collect a different kind of residue – light soot and dust rather than heavy creosote. We clean the firebox and glass without disturbing the burner assembly, and flag anything that needs a gas technician’s attention.
Chimney Services
Chimney Services at Manchester Chimney Cleaning cover everything from the annual sweep to structural repair: relining, crown and cap work, flashing repair, and dryer vent cleaning alongside. You need to know these services exist because a sweep that only sweeps leaves you hunting for a mason the moment something turns up. We work with six professional-grade product lines – DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield – so the repair is done with the same materials certified technicians use industry-wide. Chimney services in Manchester run from a $180-$340 sweep to liner work in the $1,800-$4,500 range depending on flue length and liner type; the written estimate sets the final price.
Relining and Flexible Liners
DuraFlex flexible liner systems let us retrofit older or complex flues where a rigid liner won’t fit – an offset flue or a tight chimney can usually take one. This is the technical difference between a material-equipped specialist and a basic sweep. We measure, quote, and install without a second contractor.
Caps, Crowns, and Flashing
New England weather works on a chimney crown and flashing year after year, and a cracked crown lets water into the masonry. We repair crowns and reset flashing as part of the same service relationship, so small water problems don’t become liner problems.
Chimney Sweep Certified
Chimney Sweep Certified means the person cleaning your flue has been trained and tested to a recognized standard, with the tools and knowledge to inspect, not just brush. You need to ask about it because chimney sweeping is lightly regulated in many places, and an uncertified brush can miss a cracked tile or knock a joint loose. At Manchester Chimney Cleaning, our crew is trained on the six professional product lines we carry, and the certification shows in the camera work and the written report you take away. A certified sweep in Manchester typically runs $180-$340, and the free estimate tells you exactly what your flue needs before anything starts.
Why Certification Matters
A certified sweep reads a flue the way a mechanic reads an engine – cracks, gaps, and draft problems show up before they cause a fire. That knowledge is why we use a camera on every job rather than a flashlight and a guess.
Credentials You Can Verify
Ask any sweep what training backs their work and what they’ll put in writing. We give you a photo report so the evidence is yours to keep. If a sweep can’t show you the inside of your flue, that’s a reason to call someone else.
Gas Fireplace Cleaning
Gas Fireplace Cleaning is the annual service a gas insert or direct-vent fireplace needs even though it doesn’t produce creosote: dust and light soot build on the burners, logs, and glass, and the venting can collect debris over time. You need it when the flame burns unevenly, the glass fogs up, or the unit smells faintly of dust when it starts. At Manchester Chimney Cleaning, we clean the firebox, glass, and accessible venting, and we flag gas-side issues for a licensed gas technician rather than touching the gas train ourselves. Gas fireplace cleaning in Manchester typically runs $180-$340 depending on the unit; the written estimate sets the final price, and estimates are free.
Cleaning Sealed Combustion Units
Direct-vent units are sealed, so the work is on the glass, firebox, and vent termination rather than the flue interior. We clean the components we can safely reach and inspect the vent cap from outside. Anything behind the sealed assembly stays with the manufacturer’s service instructions.

What a Gas Cleaning Won’t Fix
A cleaning won’t correct a faulty thermocouple or a burner that needs adjustment – those are gas-side repairs. We say so plainly and point you to the right trade. What we do handle is the buildup and the vent inspection.
Chimney Maintenance
Chimney Maintenance is the yearly routine that keeps a flue from becoming a repair bill: an annual sweep, a camera inspection, and a look at the cap, crown, and flashing before winter sets in. You need it because Manchester’s freeze-and-thaw cycles work on masonry every year, and small cracks open up fast. At Manchester Chimney Cleaning, we schedule the annual sweep so it lands before burning season, and we use the same visit to check the exterior – one crew, one call. Chimney maintenance in Manchester runs $180-$340 for the annual sweep and inspection, plus any repair itemized separately on the written estimate, which sets the final price.
Pre-Season Checks
Before the first fire, we check the cap, the crown, the damper, and the flue for animal nests or debris. A blocked flue on a cold night is the one problem you don’t want to discover with a fire already lit. Early mornings or Sundays work if the rest of the week is full.
Spotting Water Intrusion Early
Rust on the damper, a musty smell in the firebox, or white staining on exterior brick all point to water getting in. Catching it early keeps a crown repair from turning into a reline. We show you what we see and tell you when a repair can safely wait.
Brands We Service
We work with DuraFlex flexible liner systems often enough to know where a complex flue needs a custom fit rather than an off-the-shelf length. HeatShield is the product behind our liner restoration work, and we’ve learned exactly which cracked flues can be restored instead of replaced. With Gelco, we know the liner and cap components that hold up to a Manchester winter.
Olympia Chimney products show up on the caps, liners, and venting we install, and we know where each one tends to wear. Whether you have DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, Olympia Chimney, or any other make, we can help – and we’ll tell you honestly if a repair can wait.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterSigns You Need a Pro Right Now
- Strong smoky smell when there’s no fire. That odor is creosote and soot off-gassing, and it usually means buildup has reached a level worth cleaning. It won’t clear on its own with more burning.
- A fire that smokes into the room. A blocked smoke shelf, a closed damper, or a flue obstruction will push smoke backward. This one is worth a call before your next fire – a professional can see what’s blocking.
- Dark staining or soot around the firebox or on the mantel. Staining at the damper or above the firebox points to draft problems or creosote escaping the flue. It’s an early sign, not a reason to panic, but it should be checked.
- Glazed, tar-like creosote on the flue walls. Third-stage creosote is what a standard brush can’t remove, and it’s the stage that matters most for chimney fire risk. A camera inspection tells you which stage you’re at.
- Rust or water stains on the damper or firebox. Water getting past a failed crown or flashing corrodes the damper and can damage the liner. Catching it early keeps it a crown repair instead of a reline.
Our Process, Step by Step
- 1
Book the visit. Call (888) 804-9712 and we’ll find a time. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday. A call outside dispatch hours is booked into the next opening.
- 2
Inspect before we clean. We look at the firebox, damper, smoke chamber, and flue, then run a camera down the flue. The camera catches cracks, gaps, and creosote glazing a brush alone would miss.
- 3
Clean with dust control. We seal the firebox, lay drop cloths, and run a fine-soot vacuum while we brush. The room stays clean and the soot goes into the vacuum, not your air.
- 4
Show you what we found. You get a photo report of the flue interior with our notes. If there’s a repair to discuss, you see the evidence before you hear a price.
- 5
Repair only what needs it. If a crack calls for HeatShield restoration or a DuraFlex liner, we quote it from the same crew. If it can safely wait, we say so.
How Much Does Chimney Sweep Cost in Manchester?
A typical chimney sweep in Manchester runs $180-$340, and until we’ve seen your flue that’s an estimate rather than a final number. The range moves with a few things: how much creosote has built up, whether the flue is easy to reach, whether it’s a wood, gas, or oil appliance, and whether the chimney has an offset or a tight clearance that slows the work. A fireplace cleaning comes in at the same $180-$340, and gas fireplace cleaning sits in that range too. Chimney maintenance for the year – sweep plus inspection – is $180-$340, with any repair itemized separately. Liner work is a different scale: HeatShield restoration or a DuraFlex reline typically runs $1,800-$4,500 depending on flue length and liner type.
What affects the price most is condition, not size. A flue with light soot and a clean smoke shelf is a quick job. Glazed creosote, a blocked shelf, or a firebox full of ash takes longer. The best way to avoid overpaying is to get the camera inspection and the written estimate before any work begins – that way nothing is added after the fact. Our free estimate includes the inspection findings, the photo report, and a written price for each item, so you can see what’s the sweep and what’s the repair. Nothing gets recommended without camera evidence you can look at yourself, and the written estimate sets the final price. Call (888) 804-9712 for an exact quote.
Our Service Area Near Manchester
Manchester Chimney Cleaning serves Manchester and the towns around it: Pinardville, Hooksett, East Merrimack, Goffstown, Suncook, Raymond, Epping, Concord, and Henniker. From the city center, most of these are a short drive, and we schedule the annual chimney sweep so the whole household is covered in one visit. If you’re just outside our usual route, call and ask – the free estimate tells you what’s involved before anything is booked. We also handle chimney repair and dryer vent cleaning across the same towns.
Serving Manchester, NH – Our Local Coverage Area
We serve Manchester and nearby communities. Use the map below to see the area we cover. If you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chimney Sweep in Manchester
A chimney sweep is the trained professional who inspects and cleans the flue, firebox, damper, and smoke chamber to remove soot and creosote. At Manchester Chimney Cleaning, the sweep is also a camera inspection – we show you the inside of your flue and put the findings in a written report. The job is about seeing what’s there, not just brushing it away. Call (888) 804-9712 to book one; estimates are free.
A standard sweep at Manchester Chimney Cleaning usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half, and a first-time visit on an unfamiliar flue can run a little longer. The camera inspection adds a few minutes, not a whole appointment. If we find a repair, we quote it on the spot rather than making you book again. Call to set a time – we answer 24/7.
A chimney sweep in Manchester typically runs $180-$340, and the written estimate sets the final price after we see the flue. Liner work, if it’s needed, is priced separately and starts around $1,800 for restoration or a reline. The estimate itself is free, and the photo report is yours to keep. Call (888) 804-9712 for an exact quote.
Yes – we service DuraFlex, HeatShield, Gelco, and Olympia Chimney products along with the other professional-grade lines we carry. That includes HeatShield liner restoration and DuraFlex flexible liner installs on older or offset flues. Having the materials on hand is how one crew finishes the repair instead of handing it off. Call (888) 804-9712 and we’ll tell you what your flue needs.
Same-day service is available when the schedule allows, and dispatch runs 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday, with Saturday closed. We answer the phone 24/7, so a call outside dispatch hours is booked into the next opening. If your flue needs attention before your next fire, call (888) 804-9712.
Our work is backed by a satisfaction guarantee – if something isn’t right with the sweep or the repair, we come back and make it right. Repair work carries the manufacturer’s warranty on the material used, and we spell that out in the written estimate so nothing is vague. Ask us about the specific product on your job when you call.
Clear the hearth and a few feet in front of the fireplace, move any fragile items off the mantel, and don’t light a fire for at least 24 hours before the visit. If you have pets, keep them in another room while we work. That’s all we need – we handle the drop cloths and the dust control. Call (888) 804-9712 to book.
Schedule Your Chimney Sweep Service in Manchester Today
Your annual sweep is the cheapest way to keep a chimney from turning into a liner job. Call Manchester Chimney Cleaning at (888) 804-9712 to book yours, and we’ll bring the camera, the professional-grade materials, and a written estimate you can read before anything starts. We answer 24/7, with fast dispatch from 7am to 7pm, Sunday through Friday. Estimates are free and there’s no obligation. One crew, one call – and if the flue can wait, we’ll tell you. Learn more about our full Manchester Chimney Cleaning services, or read about a chimney sweep in a nearby town.
Written by Tim Sandoval, Owner at Manchester Chimney Cleaning, serving Manchester since 2012.