Chimney Sweep

history · jobs · fire safety

Cleaning out soot. Chimneys collect a black, sticky substance called creosote and soot as smoke rises up and out of your home. A chimney sweep uses special brushes and tools to scrub these layers off the inside walls so smoke can flow freely again.

Preventing chimney fires. If creosote builds up too much inside a chimney, it can actually catch fire and burn really hot. That's why sweeping chimneys regularly is super important for keeping homes safe from dangerous fires.

How chimneys work. A chimney works by creating a draught, which means hot air and smoke naturally rise up and out because they are lighter than cool air. The soot that builds up blocks this flow, so sweeps have to clean it out so the chimney can do its job.

Straight or twisty. Some chimneys go straight up, but others have bends and turns along the way. Chimney sweeps have to figure out how to clean all the tricky angles to remove all the dangerous buildup.