The Top Hat Chimney Process

December 16, 2024

When you have the certified technicians at Top Hat Chimney Sweeps evaluate your chimney system, you can expect us to show you and your home the caring respect. We will arrive ON TIME, in company vehicles, wearing Top Hat attire. (We may even wear our Top Hat if you’re lucky!)


We begin in the home by first laying down protective drop cloths. This is to ensure your home remains as clean. We try to make The area around the fireplace cleaner than we found it.


Next, for first-time customers or if we have not been to the home in two years or more, we will conduct a Video Scan chimney inspection in accordance with our Certifications


This inspection is a comprehensive examination of your fire system. It includes a live video scan of the entirety of the flue liner, both a firebox and smoke chamber inspection, as well as a rooftop inspection of your chase if it's safe to access. If accessible we also ask to access the crawl space and attic space.  The video scan chimney inspection enables the technician to see all visible defects in the system.


Upon the conclusion of the video scan inspection, The chimney will be swept. This is necessary if there is a 1/8 inch creosote build-up or more, anywhere in the system. On occasion, our technicians will find issues that prevent the technician from sweeping the system.


Top Hat uses only the best techniques and equipment, including professional brushes and HEPA dust control machines, to ensure your system is carefully and thoroughly swept from the firebox all the way up to the chimney cap.


All brushable soot and debris will be dislodged and removed from the smoke chamber, firebox, flue, connector pipes, and fireplace. You can rest assured that all of our tools and techniques are designed to keep your home and air supply clean throughout the entire chimney sweeping process. 


As mentioned above, in accordance with our certifications, we must first conduct a chimney inspection of the system prior to sweeping in order to first deem your system adequate for use. Your safety and the structural integrity of your system are our primary concerns.




How to build a fire
By Trent Simmons April 21, 2025
This blog post from Top Hat Chimney Sweeps advocates for building fires using the top-down (or upside-down) method. It explains that this technique involves layering large logs at the bottom, followed by medium pieces, and topping it off with kindling and a fire starter. The post highlights the numerous benefits of this approach, including a cleaner burn with significantly less smoke and creosote, longer and more consistent heat output, easier ignition, reduced flare-ups, and more efficient fuel use. Top Hat Chimney Sweeps emphasizes that this method contributes to chimney safety and a cleaner environment, encouraging readers to try it and reminding them of their chimney service expertise.
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