Rooftop Chimney Services is committed to ensuring transparency and customer satisfaction by offering a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions. Our professional team understands the importance of addressing common queries related to chimney maintenance, repair, and installation.
Are you licensed, bonded and insured?
Yes. Our Oregon Construction Contractor Board license number is 193902, searcheable through the CCB website.
Do you use subcontractors?
We do not. All of our technicians are employees.
What types of cleanings do you offer?
We clean traditional open fireplace chimneys, free-standing woodstoves, woodstove inserts (with or without a stainless steel liner) oil furnace flues and pellet stove flues. We do not service the mechanical/ electronic/electrical systems of pellet stoves.
Are you going to make a mess in my house and get soot all over the place?
No. We lay out carpet runners and mover’s blankets. We seal off the fireplace opening with plastic, after closing the damper (if one is present.) We move the brush down SLOWLY during the sweeping process so as not to build up compression during the down-stroke of the brush. If you have a free-standing stove, we make sure the door is closed well and we wrap the stove with a mover’s blanket. If we are cleaning an oil furnace chimney, we remove the exhaust pipe, duct-tape over the hole in the chimney that the pipe goes through, and seal any clean-out doors with duct tape prior to sweeping.
How long will this take?
We are pretty good judges on how long any given sweeping situation will take us to perform, and our scheduler will let you know upon scheduling your appointment. On average, 1 cleaning takes us about an hour, 2 takes 2 hours; this is for open fireplaces. Free-standing woodstoves, fireplace inserts, oil furnace chimneys, and pellet stoves can take longer depending on the designs and installations of these units.
What forms of payment do you take?
Visa, Mastercard and Discover.
How often should I have my chimney swept?
Good question. The fire marshal recommends ( a yearly cleaning and inspection, which is not a bad idea. You could have a clean chimney 1 year after your last cleaning, but have a squirrel build a nest in the chimney meanwhile (we do sell rain caps that keep rain and animals out…) The idea is that you have all points of the chimney system inspected each year to ensure safe operation of the system.
Do you give free repair estimates?
Yes, in most cases estimates are free. There are times when we charge for estimates, but it is a rare occurrence.
Do you guys do repairs?
Yes. Lots of them.
Can I get on the yearly cleaning list?
Absolutely. We call 1 month ahead of time as a reminder, then we call the day before your appointment. This gives you plenty of time to reschedule or cancel if need be. We offer a 1 year and 2 year forward schedule calendar.
Are you going to crack my tile roof?
If the chimney is on the side of the house and we can get a ladder against it, then we can sweep it. We do occasionally get on tile roofs, but sometimes we avoid getting on them. We often times clean the chimney from the bottom up, with special rotary-powered equipment designed for the purpose.
Okay, what about a metal roof?
In most cases we can get on a metal roof; our technicians have special shoe attachments designed for the purpose.
What about a membrane roof?
Yes, but only on a dry day. Membrane roofs can get really slick when there is rain and snow present. Algae build up on the roof can be slick as well.
I cannot be there for the sweep. Can I leave a key or a key code?
Yes. Please pass the data to the scheduler.