Call us: (330) 523-0449 
Monday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM 
No-mess sweeping that clears soot and creosote — the leading cause of chimney fires — and an honest look at what's going on inside your flue.
Chimney Sweeping & Cleaning in Cleveland, OH
A chimney sweep removes the soot, ash, and creosote that build up inside your flue every burning season. That buildup matters: creosote is highly flammable, and it's the number-one cause of chimney fires. Having your chimney swept once a year is the simplest, cheapest thing you can do to keep your family safe and your fireplace drafting properly.
At Righteous Chimney & Masonry, sweeping is never just sweeping. We protect your floors and furniture, use a HEPA vacuum and drop cloths so there's no mess left behind, and clean the flue, firebox, and smoke chamber from top to bottom. While we're in there, we look — because a sweep is the perfect time to catch a cracked liner, a failing crown, or a blockage before it becomes an emergency.
If your fireplace is hard to light, smells smoky when it rains, drafts poorly, or you're seeing black, tar-like buildup on the glass or walls, those are classic signs it's time for a sweep. Heavy, shiny creosote (sometimes called glazed or Stage 3 creosote) is especially dangerous and needs professional removal — exactly the kind of buildup we're equipped to handle.
No mess, no fear-selling — just a clean flue and an honest report.
Here's what's included in a Righteous chimney sweep:
- Protect the space — Drop cloths and a HEPA vacuum so your home stays clean — no soot tracked through the house.
- Sweep the full system — Flue, firebox, and smoke chamber cleared of soot and creosote with professional rotary tools.
- Remove heavy creosote — Stubborn glazed (Stage 3) creosote treated and removed — the dangerous buildup a basic sweep can't touch.
- Inspect while we're in there — A visual check of the liner, crown, damper, and cap, with photos and an honest report of anything we find.
Plenty of Cleveland homeowners only call when something's already wrong — a smoky room, a draft that won't pull, a fireplace that won't light. We'd rather get you on a once-a-year schedule so problems get caught early. And when you do call, you get a clean, careful sweep from a team that won't invent repairs you don't need.
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Why Choose Righteous
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Zero Mess
Drop cloths, HEPA vacuum, and careful work mean we leave your home as clean as we found it — often cleaner.
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Creosote Specialists
From light soot to dangerous glazed creosote, we have the tools and training to remove it safely.
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Inspection Included
Every sweep includes a visual inspection so you know the real condition of your chimney — with photos.
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No Fear-Selling
If your chimney is fine, we'll tell you. We only recommend work that genuinely needs doing.
Annual Sweep & Creosote Removal in Lakewood
A Lakewood homeowner hadn't had their chimney swept in years and the glass was coated in shiny black creosote. We found heavy Stage 3 buildup, treated and removed it, and got the flue safe to burn again.
How we handled it
- Inspect first: Camera inspection confirmed heavy glazed creosote and an otherwise sound liner.
- Treat the glaze: Applied a professional treatment to break down the hardened Stage 3 creosote.
- Sweep it clean: Removed the loosened creosote from the full flue, firebox, and smoke chamber.
- Verify & report: Re-inspected, confirmed a safe flue, and provided before/after photos.
Is your chimney ready for winter?
Chimney sweeping, inspections, relining, repair, and full masonry restoration across Greater Cleveland. Honest assessments, written estimates, and work done right — call today for a free estimate.
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What Greater Cleveland Homeowners Say
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Honest Inspection, No Scare Tactics
Another company tried to sell me a full chimney rebuild. Righteous came out, ran a camera inspection, showed me the actual flue, and said all I needed was a sweep and a new cap. Saved me thousands. This is who I'll call from now on.
Karen M. Lakewood, OH -
Finally Stopped a Years-Long Leak
Two roofers couldn't figure out where the water was coming from. Righteous found it was the chimney crown and flashing, rebuilt the crown, reflashed, and waterproofed it. Dry through the whole winter for the first time in years.
Tom B. Euclid, OH -
Beautiful Tuck Pointing on Our 1920s Home
Our brick was crumbling at the joints. They repointed the whole chimney and a section of wall with mortar that actually matches the original. You can't tell where the new work starts. Craftsmanship you don't see much anymore.
Diane R. Cleveland Heights, OH -
Quick, Clean, and Straightforward
Swept the chimney, inspected it, and walked me through everything with photos. Showed up on time, laid down drop cloths, left zero mess. Fair price, no upselling. Exactly how it should be done.
Mike S. Parma, OH
Chimney Sweeping FAQs
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For a regularly-used wood-burning fireplace, once a year is the standard recommendation (NFPA 211). Gas appliances and lightly-used fireplaces may need it less often, but should still be inspected annually. We'll tell you honestly what your usage calls for.
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Creosote is the tar-like residue left behind when wood burns. It builds up inside the flue and is highly flammable — it's the leading cause of chimney fires. Heavy 'glazed' or Stage 3 creosote is especially hazardous and requires professional removal, which we provide.
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No. We lay down drop cloths, use a HEPA vacuum, and work carefully so there's no soot left in your home. Leaving your space clean is part of the job.
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Often, yes. A smoky smell, especially when it rains, is usually creosote absorbing moisture, sometimes combined with a missing or damaged cap letting water in. A sweep removes the creosote; if a cap or other issue is contributing, we'll point it out.
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Yes — every sweep includes a visual inspection of the flue, crown, damper, and cap. If we spot a problem like a cracked liner or a failing crown, we'll show you with photos so you can decide what to do next.