Dearborn, Wayne County
Chimney sweep and cleaning in Dearborn
A lot of west Dearborn fireplaces sit near the big trees along the Rouge, so a sweep here often turns up leaves and nesting material as well as soot.
We sweep chimneys on the west side of Dearborn, out to Telegraph. If you're farther east, call and ask before you book.
How people here use their fireplaces
The 1920s Tudors and colonials in Dearborn Hills were built with wood-burning fireplaces, and some still burn wood every winter. Others have had an insert put in, like the one in the photo, which sends its smoke up a steel liner instead of the old clay tile. Some fireplaces got gas logs years ago. Each of those leaves something different in the flue, and each one is swept a little differently. Wood leaves soot and creosote on the walls. An insert burned at low heat overnight can leave a thick, crusty layer.
Trees, leaves and swifts
Henry Ford built Fair Lane, his estate, on the Rouge River in west Dearborn, and the woods along the river are still there. Streets near the river and the university campus have big old trees hanging over the roofs. In the fall, leaves and twigs collect on the chimney top, and an open flue lets them fall in. Squirrels and raccoons use the same branches to get up there.
Chimney swifts also nest in Michigan chimneys from May to August. They're federally protected, so if they're in your flue we wait until they've gone south to sweep it. Our guide to chimney swifts explains what to do if you hear them.
When to book
Book before the first cold weekend, and after the swifts have left if you've heard them over the summer. Once the weather turns, most of the calls come in over the same few weeks. Our guide on how often to clean a chimney helps if you're not sure you need it yet.
What $349 covers
The $349 is for one flue. We put drop cloths down, sweep the flue, inspect the chimney inside and out, and clean up before we leave. A camera through the flue is a $75 add-on, and on a chimney this old it's worth having. If the inspection turns up cracks or loose brick, we'll show you, and you can read about chimney repair in Dearborn before you decide anything.
Questions
We burn wood a few times a month in winter. How often should we have the chimney swept?
For most people who burn now and then, once a year is about right, ideally before the first cold weekend. If you burn most nights, or the wood isn't fully dry, the flue can need it more often. When we sweep, we tell you how much came out, and that tells you whether once a year is enough.
Do you sweep the flue behind a fireplace insert?
Yes. An insert vents through a liner that runs up inside the old chimney, and that liner needs sweeping like any other flue. Call before you book and tell us what kind of insert you have, so we know what to expect when we get there.
Chimney sweep near Dearborn
Chimney sweep in Dearborn
Pick a day and a 3-hour arrival window online. If you'd rather talk it through, call (248) 266-9991.