American Chimney and Masonry
Your Portland Chimney Sweep
and Chimney Maintenance Company
Chimney Cleaning Keeps You and Your Family Safe
Get a Chimney Sweep, Before You Need It!
American Chimney & Masonry is one of the most widely respected chimney sweeps Portland, Oregon has.
Just about every organization with any connection to homes or home heating – from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to the Hearth Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA) recommends having your chimney regularly cleaned and swept by professional, CSIA-certified chimney sweep technicians.
The benefits of regular chimney sweeping and maintenance are many, from:
- helping your chimney system function more safely and more environmentally-friendly to
- encouraging better performance and a longer service life.
And that’s true whether you have:
- a traditional masonry chimney
- a pre-fabricated system, or;
- a chimney venting a furnace.
Chimney Sweep & Chimney Cleaning Portland, OR Service Area
American Chimney & Masonry is located right here in Portland. We have been performing chimney sweeps and chimney cleanings for homes and businesses within the Portland-Metro area for many years.
Our professional technicians are certified and vaccinated. Our service area stretches from NE Portland down to SE Portland, Tualatin, and Oregon City in the south, from Pleasant Valley in the east to Beaverton and Sherwood in the west.
We continue to be the most trusted Chimney Sweep company in Portland!
Our Portland Chimney Sweeping Process
All of American Chimney & Masonry’s chimney sweep technicians are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and by the Oregon Chimney Sweep Association (OCSA). That means you can expect us to follow the CSIA’s detailed and exacting chimney sweep practices and provide you with the most thorough, effective chimney cleaning service.
Our techs use industry-leading tools that are specially designed for the type of chimney we’re sweeping, be it masonry or a prefabricated system. Our chimney sweep technicians thoroughly and cautiously break free and remove …
- Debris
- Creosote
- Soot, and
- ther deposits,
… and contain all of those materials with a high-speed vacuum.
With American Chimney & Masonry, you can expect a thorough, mess-free service – guaranteed. We take extra steps to ensure a mess-free chimney sweeps, laying drop cloths, rug runners, and tarps around the work area, and wearing shoe covers whenever we’re in your home.
When our chimney sweep technician visits your home, you can expect top-notch, dedicated service and a chimney sweep that provides higher levels of performance and safety.
If you’re overdue for a chimney cleaning or sweeping, give us a call at 503-644-0393 or click here to schedule an appointment – our CSIA-certified technicians are ready to serve you!
Our comprehensive chimney video inspection means we know exactly what needs to be done, and it lets you be confident that you are getting the best chimney and fireplace service available.
American Chimney & Masonry Is Portland’s Most Trusted Chimney Sweep:
Read Our Reviews
Alexander Johnston
Local Guide • 5 reviews
10 months ago
American Chimney & Masonry was great to work with! They were straightforward with their communication, prompt with their scheduling, and their follow-up was spectacular. I hired them to sweep my chimney (among other things) and after inspecting it, they told me the chimney didn’t need to be cleaned and they wouldn’t be charging me for that part. They also provided pictures of issues that would need follow-up, and added comments. I will absolutely be hiring them for future chimney and masonry issues.
Services: Chimney flue cleaning, Masonry cleaning
emily griffith
Local Guide • 5 reviews
The representative who did the inspection and chimney sweep was very thorough and helped us to understand the best solution for the safety of our home. He also did an amazing job cleaning up after the sweep so no debris or dust was in the house, which was greatly appreciated.
Services: Chimney inspections
Martha Bunyard
Local Guide •1 review
Jokay Kearns
Local Guide • 1 review • 1 photo
2 years ago
We have had Sean at American Chimney come out to service our wood burning fire place twice in the past several years. I was very pleased with the detailed information and service provided.
We will definitely continue to use them!
Performance and Longevity Benefits of a Scheduling Regular Chimney Sweeps to Keep a Clean Chimney
Think about the concept of aerodynamics:
Cars, for example, are designed to allow air to flow over surfaces with as little obstruction as possible, and that plays out as smooth surfaces with gentle curves. Blunt points and craggy surfaces fight against the flow of air and lessen performance.
That concept fits into your chimney’s performance, too. You want air to flow into, through, and out of your flue as smoothly as possible, without anything blocking, slowing, or otherwise hampering its movement.
Debris and creosote build-up has an appreciable effect on flow and creates a frustrating feedback loop. Once a draft is inhibited, you end up with:
- More creosote
- More significant problems, and
- Vastly reduced performance.
Proper chimney sweeping, however, will be free of debris and deposits, so the air will be free to flow.
Along with inhibiting airflow, the various deposits that result from combustion — whether you’re burning wood, gas, or oil — have acidic and corrosive qualities that will wear at your flue liner and chimney over time.
The good news is: Having a regular chimney sweep service can minimize those effects and keep your chimney system performing better, for longer.
Know The Safety Benefits of a Clean Chimney
Regular chimney sweeping is important!
As you burn wood in your chimney, combustion creates a variety of byproducts, including hot gasses flush with particulates. As those gasses rise in your chimney, they reach the cooler flue walls and condense into a liquid. The result is a dark, dirty, extremely combustible deposit called creosote.
Over time, creosote will layer and thicken, creating several safety issues. First, the thicker the creosote, the more constricted the flue gets – and the less able it is to vent the byproducts of combustion.
If creosote levels are considerable enough, it can block your flue, allowing toxic gasses to get into your living area, heat to build up in the flue, and potentially cause a chimney fire and even a house fire.
A professional chimney sweep removes creosote and drastically lessens those risks.
Chimney Sweep FAQs
When is the Best Time to Clean a Chimney?
The best time to clean a chimney is when you don’t need it!
I know…you’re sitting around trying to stay cool in the summer, and we’re encouraging you to get your fireplace and chimney cleaning done! It just doesn’t seem to make much sense — but please stay with us for a moment.
We’re one of Portland’s best chimney sweeps, so one thing we know is what happens when you build a fire and your chimney hasn’t been cleaned. It’s not pretty.
We also know how easy it is to pick up the phone and call a certified chimney sweep company to come out before the cold sets in and get that chimney cleaned.
Late summer and early fall are the time to get that chimney sweep and your fireplace inspection done. In November, when the Portland rains come, you’ll be glad you did.
That’s why a great time to clean your chimney is when you don’t need it. Get it done so you can relax and enjoy a season of roaring fires.
Are Chimney cleaning Logs a Substitute for a Professional Chimney Sweeping?
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has issued a statement to warn consumers about substituting a professional chimney sweeping with chimney cleaning logs.
The CSIA clearly states that the use of these products alone is not an adequate substitute for mechanical chimney sweeping as it does not give your chimney system the same level of protection.
Many times, when we think we are saving money by going a cheaper route, we end up having to spend more money than necessary. Substituting a professional chimney sweeping with chimney cleaning logs is one of these situations.
If you have seen chimney cleaning logs in stores, you may have been impressed with their claims of reducing and removing creosote from the walls of your chimney simply by being burned in your fireplace or stove.
You may have even considered that this product could clean your chimney just as well as a professional sweeping from American Chimney & Masonry could — it’s best that you leave it to the professionals.
Do Creosote Logs Work?
While chimney cleaning logs do remove about 60 percent of creosote buildup from the inner walls of chimneys, they do not completely get this flammable compound out of your chimney.
Using catalytic action as they burn in the firebox of your fireplace or stove, chimney sweeping logs release chemicals that cause accumulated creosote to flake off from the chimney walls. Even when the creosote has broken off of the walls, it remains inside your chimney.
The entire process of burning chimney cleaning logs can lead to potentially hazardous situations.
What are the Dangers of using Chimney Cleaning Logs?
Creosote is a highly flammable compound that is the main cause of chimney fires. As the creosote flakes off, it falls down the chimney and can easily ignite on its way down. An ignited piece of creosote could start a devastating chimney fire.
Even if the pieces of creosote do not ignite, they land on the smoke shelf of your fireplace and gather to form another fire hazard. Accumulated creosote can be extremely dangerous, and you want this compound to be completely removed from your chimney.
The CSIA-certified chimney sweeps at American Chimney & Masonry take extra care to ensure every piece of accumulated creosote has been totally removed from your chimney when they perform a professional sweeping.
Not only do we completely remove this flammable compound, but we will also inspect your chimney to see if you have any damage that needs repairing and if you have any debris from leaves or bird and animal nests that could be blocking your chimney.
When you choose American Chimney, our professional chimney sweeping and inspection will guarantee that your chimney works effectively and safely.
Should You Sweep Your Own Chimney?
With more than 20,000 chimney fires in the U.S. every year, it’s no surprise that many people try to clean their chimneys to avoid this fate.
However, an improperly cleaned chimney can be just as dangerous as one that hasn’t been cleaned at all. It’s okay to give your chimney a basic cleaning between professional sweeps, but this should never replace a sweep conducted by a CSIA-certified technician.
Regardless of how comfortable you feel with cleaning your chimney, the process is messy and built-up soot and creosote can create a cloud that can cover your furniture and floor.
Additionally, specific techniques are used by professional sweeps to identify damage or structural problems, that if left unaddressed, can lead to a host of problems for your chimney.
Oftentimes, small repairs can be done on-site, giving you peace of mind knowing that your chimney is safe and in good repair.
How Much Does a Chimney Sweep Cost?
Chimney sweeps vary in price depending on the level of cleaning required and several other factors. Chimneys that are cleaned regularly, for example, will require less care than a chimney that hasn’t been inspected for many years.
Our chimney sweeps come with a full inspection of your chimney to ensure no additional services or repairs are required. Our technicians are CSIA certified and qualified to inspect your chimney to ensure it’s operating safely and effectively.
Can I Get a Chimney Sweep in Portland in the Winter When It’s Raining?
Yes, definitely! We know that Portland winters can be a little nasty in terms of the weather. However, our team of chimney sweep specialists operate throughout the entire winter season.
Hiring a Portland Chimney Sweep
There are many health hazards that are caused by the improper maintenance of a home chimney.
If you are a busy homeowner and cannot find the time or don’t have the know-how to clean your own flue, it is a good idea to hire a professional chimney sweep and make sure they are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA).
A CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep is a skilled technician who inspects the chimney and cleans and clears soot, debris, and ashes from the chimney. The government’s fire prevention and protection agencies are recommending homeowners have their chimneys inspected at least once per year.
Chimney sweep companies that employ CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps are dependable and will provide professional services for this kind of task.
They are promoting their expertise in inspecting and maintaining:
- Dryer vents
- Fireplaces
- Chimneys, and even
- Woodstoves.
Professional CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps are experts in inspecting and sweeping residences of all sizes and designs no matter the year of construction. You want to look for these skilled chimney sweeps that understand, and can utilize, the latest tools that enable them to do their jobs, safely, securely and correctly.
Hiring a Portland chimney sweep that is CSIA Certified can take care of all the safety recommendations and proper maintenance of your chimney. Their professional skills must include:
The ability to perform regular chimney inspections (Level I and Level II), and recommend needed repairs and waterproofing when necessary.
The ability to detect and repair of any water leak that will cause damage to the outer and inner parts of the fireplace and chimney.
The ability to install chimney caps for preventing snow, rain, small animals, leaves and debris from entering the flue. The ability to repair an incorrectly built or deteriorated chimney crown.
Restoring a dented chimney’s chase tops, which are likely to lead to the staining of your chimney’s sidings and putting strain on the assembled metal flue.
According to the CSIA there are additional questions that should be asked to ensure that the chimney sweep hired is a credible service technician:
How long has the Portland chimney sweeping company been in business?