Chimney Sweep & Cleaning in San Jose and the South Bay
A professional chimney sweep removes built-up creosote and soot from your flue, checks for blockages and structural damage, and takes about 45 to 90 minutes for a standard masonry chimney. The National Fire Protection Association recommends a sweep at least once a year for any chimney in regular use, more often for wood-burning stoves.
Signs You Need a Sweep
Creosote builds silently. These are the signals South Bay homeowners call us about most often.
- A campfire or burnt smell in the room even when the fireplace is not in use
- Smoke backing up into the living room instead of drawing up the flue
- Visible black or oily residue on the damper or firebox walls
- It has been more than 12 months, or more than a cord of wood, since the last cleaning
- You just bought a home and have no service history for the chimney
Our Process
Inspect
Exterior and interior visual inspection of the flue, damper, and firebox.
Sweep & Vacuum
Removal of creosote, soot, and debris using rotary or traditional brush systems, with a HEPA vacuum to keep the work area dust-free.
Check Structure
Check of the smoke chamber and crown for cracking or water damage.
Report
Written summary of findings, with photos, and a straightforward recommendation if repair work is needed. No upsell pressure.
See the Difference on a Real Job
Drag the slider on each photo to compare before and after. Real jobs from South Bay homes.
Before After 
Before After 
Before After Why Choose SV Chimney Sweep
Our technicians are CSIA-certified, and the company is bonded and insured, which matters when someone is on your roof and in your firebox. We are rated five stars across 139+ Google reviews from South Bay homeowners, and same-day appointments are available for most requests.
Chimney Sweeping Across the South Bay
We sweep chimneys throughout San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Mountain View, and the greater South Bay.
Same-Day Service Available
Call before noon and we will do our best to get a certified technician out to you the same day. Open Sunday through Friday.
1269 Lakeside Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Chimney Sweep & Cleaning FAQ
How often should I get my chimney swept?
At least once a year for regular fireplace use, and after every cord of wood for a wood stove. Gas fireplaces still need an annual inspection even without creosote buildup.
Is chimney sweeping messy?
No. We use HEPA-filtered vacuums and drop cloths, and the work stays contained to the firebox and hearth area.
Can I sweep my own chimney?
Basic surface cleaning is possible, but a CSIA-certified sweep also checks for structural cracks, blockages, and animal nests that are not visible from the ground.
Do you sweep gas fireplace flues too?
Yes. Gas flues need less frequent cleaning than wood-burning ones but still require an annual inspection for blockages and proper venting.
