Level 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Caps & crowns
Masonry repair
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AfterTrusted Chimney Cleaning & Sweep for Marietta Homeowners
A professional chimney cleaning and sweep in Marietta typically costs $189-$349 for a standard NFPA 211 Level 1 service with full inspection, and $279-$489 for a Level 2 camera-scan inspection with documented photo record. Most Marietta homes built between 1985 and 2015 need annual sweeping due to our clay-heavy soil and freeze-thaw cycles that stress masonry faster than the national average. Call (470) 288-2763 and we’ll answer live, any time.
We’ve cleaned and inspected more than 38,000 chimneys since 2009, and every single one started with a written price, a written scope, and ended with a documented record. In East Cobb, we regularly find Class III glazed creosote requiring Creosote Removal in fireplaces that were “swept” last season by a brush-only service that never ran a camera. In West Marietta near Kennesaw Mountain, we see spalling brick and deteriorated flue liners hidden behind seemingly sound smoke chambers. The difference isn’t the sweep itself. It’s what we find before we quote, what we show you, and what we put in writing before any work starts. That’s Clause 1 of the Haven Standard: Have it in writing.
Our technicians are background-checked, uniformed, and assigned by name. You’ll get a text when they’re on the way, and their license number is on every page of your documentation. We don’t do “call for a quote” because we don’t do surprises. The price you approve is the price you pay.
What Our Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Service Includes
Level 1 Inspection
A Level 1 Inspection is the visual examination required by NFPA 211 for chimneys that haven’t changed in use or condition and are being maintained on their normal annual schedule. In Marietta, we perform Level 1 inspections on newer homes in subdivisions like Indian Hills and Chimney Lakes where the fireplace sees light seasonal use and the structure is otherwise unaltered. Our technician examines the readily accessible portions of the chimney exterior, interior, and connecting appliance, checking for creosote buildup, obstruction, and basic structural soundness. You’ll receive a written condition summary and any recommended next steps, with photos if we spot anything that warrants closer look.
Level 2 Inspection
A Level 2 inspection is mandatory when a property changes hands, after a chimney fire or lightning strike, or when you’re modifying your appliance or fuel type. This is where Emberly Chimney Cleaners Marietta built its name: we run a high-resolution camera the full length of the flue liner, document every joint, every offset, and every surface condition, and deliver the photo record as standard under Haven Standard Clause 4. In Marietta’s older neighborhoods like Whitlock Avenue and the Historic District, we’ve found cracked clay liners, missing mortar joints, and animal nesting in smoke chambers that a Level 1 visual check would never catch. The camera doesn’t guess, and neither do we. You see what we see, timestamped and archived.
Creosote Removal
Creosote is the tar-like combustion byproduct that builds up on flue walls and ignites at temperatures as low as 451°F, causing chimney fires that can reach 2,000°F and crack liners or penetrate framing. Marietta’s mild, humid winters encourage slow, smoldering burns that produce more creosote than the cold, fast burns of northern climates. We classify creosote by stages: Stage I (sooty, brushes off easily), Stage II (crunchy flakes requiring mechanical action), and Stage III (glazed, hardened tar requiring chemical treatment or rotary removal). Our technicians carry rotary chains, poly whips, and Stage III chemical modifiers for every class of buildup. We measure what’s removed and photograph the flue before and after.
Soot Removal
Soot is the fine carbon particulate that coats fireboxes, smoke shelves, and damper assemblies, reducing draft efficiency and staining interior finishes. In gas fireplaces common to newer Marietta builds, soot indicates incomplete combustion, often from improper fuel-air mixture or deteriorated burner ports. We remove soot from firebox walls, smoke chamber, and accessible flue sections using HEPA-contained vacuums and hand tools that protect your finishes. For gas units, we note any soot pattern that suggests venting or burner issues and document it for your HVAC technician or our fireplace service team.
Annual Sweep
The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual chimney inspection and cleaning for all solid-fuel appliances, regardless of apparent condition. In Marietta, where many homeowners burn intermittently from November through March, the annual cycle prevents the cumulative buildup that makes Stage III creosote removal costly. Our Annual Sweep includes full Level 1 inspection, debris and creosote removal, damper and smoke shelf cleaning, and a written condition report with next-service recommendation. We maintain your service history and send reminder notifications before the next burning season, so you’re never scrambling to book in October’s rush.
Fireplace Cleaning
Fireplace Cleaning addresses the visible and semi-visible components: firebox refractory panels, grate and ash dump, damper assembly, and smoke chamber throat. In Marietta’s 1990s-2000s subdivisions, we often find cracked refractory panels that have been hidden by ash and soot for multiple seasons, creating a potential path for fire to reach wall framing. We clean, inspect, and photograph each component, noting panel condition, damper operation, and throat clearance. If replacement panels are needed, we source from HeatShield and other rated manufacturers through our Haven buying network.
What happens when you call
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A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
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You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
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A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
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You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Brands We Service for Chimney Cleaning & Sweep
We’ve serviced and cleaned hundreds of HeatShield systems across Cobb and north Fulton counties, including full relining projects in Marietta’s Vinings Estates and Paper Mill Road corridors where original clay liners failed after 25-30 years of thermal cycling. HeatShield’s cerfractory resurfacing compound requires specific surface prep and curing protocols; our technicians are trained to evaluate whether resurfacing is viable or full liner replacement is the honest recommendation. We stock HeatShield materials and document every application with before-and-after camera footage.
Gelco chimney caps and Famco termination fittings are standard equipment on many Marietta homes built during the 2000s construction boom, and we’ve replaced hundreds that corroded prematurely due to our area’s acid-rain exposure and pollen accumulation that traps moisture. Whether you have Gelco, Famco, Olympia Chimney stainless components, or any other make, we can source replacement parts through our Haven network and install them with written warranty. The brand on your chimney doesn’t limit what we can do. The camera in your flue and the written scope in your hand are what matter.
BeforeAfterSigns You Need Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Right Now
- Burning odors when the fireplace isn’t in use. A sour, smoky smell from your fireplace in warm weather means creosote deposits are off-gassing as temperatures rise. In Marietta’s humid summers, this odor penetrates drywall and HVAC returns, and it signals active creosote accumulation that will ignite more easily next season.
- Smoke backing up into the room on startup. If smoke enters your living space before the flue fully warms, you likely have a partially blocked flue, damaged liner, or creosote-narrowed passage. This isn’t a draft quirk; it’s a combustion hazard that can expose occupants to carbon monoxide if it occurs with a gas appliance.
- Black, oily residue on interior firebox walls. Glossy black deposits indicate Stage III creosote, which cannot be removed with standard brushing and requires chemical pretreatment or rotary mechanical removal. Stage III ignites at lower temperatures and burns with explosive intensity; it’s the leading cause of chimney fires in Georgia.
- Visible cracks in firebox refractory panels or exterior masonry. Cracks in the firebox direct heat toward combustible wall framing; exterior masonry cracks in Marietta’s freeze-thaw climate allow water intrusion that accelerates liner deterioration through spalling and mortar joint failure. Both conditions worsen exponentially if unaddressed.
- It’s been more than 12 months since your last professional inspection. NFPA 211 establishes the annual standard for a reason: creosote accumulates unpredictably based on wood moisture, burn habits, and flue design. “We barely used it” is not a reliable indicator; even occasional use with improper fuel can produce hazardous buildup in a single season.
Our Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Process - Step by Step
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Schedule and confirm. Call (470) 288-2763 and you’ll reach a live person, not a menu or voicemail. We confirm your address, appliance type, and any symptoms you’ve noticed. You’ll receive a text with your technician’s name and photo, plus another when they’re en route. This is Haven Standard Clause 3: Arrive on schedule, with a verified crew.
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Arrival and property protection. Your technician arrives in a marked vehicle, in uniform, with license identification visible. We lay protective sheeting from the entry to the work area, set up HEPA-contained vacuum equipment, and inspect the work zone for any pre-existing conditions we need to note. We haven’t started work yet. Nothing has been agreed to.
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Camera-scan inspection and documentation. For every sweep, we run a camera. On Level 1 services, we spot-check the flue and document any anomalies. On Level 2 services, we scan the entire liner length, capture stills and video at every joint and offset, and record findings in real time. You see the footage as we see it. Haven Standard Clause 4 requires this photo record on every job; we’ve done it since 2009.
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Written price and scope before any work. We present what we found, what we recommend, and what it costs, in writing, before any cleaning or repair begins. This is Haven Standard Clause 1: Have it in writing. If the flue is clean and no issues exist, we tell you that, document it, and charge only the inspection fee. We don’t invent problems. The camera footage is your proof either way.
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Cleaning, final documentation, and warranty. Approved work is completed, the area is cleaned to pre-service condition, and you receive a final packet: photo record, written scope completed, written warranty, and next-service recommendation. Every job carries the 365-Day Done Right Promise. If it’s not done right, we make it right.
How Much Does Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Cost in Marietta?
A standard chimney sweep with Level 1 inspection in Marietta runs $189-$249 for a single-flue, open-hearth wood-burning fireplace in normal condition. Add a Level 2 camera-scan inspection, and the range is $279-$349. These are the most common scenarios we see in neighborhoods like Shawnee Hills, Princeton Lakes, and the subdivisions off Canton Road.
Several factors move the price within or above these ranges. A fireplace with a gas log set that must be removed and reinstalled adds $40-$80. Stage III creosote requiring chemical pretreatment or rotary removal adds $150-$300 depending on severity and flue length. Multi-flue systems, common in larger homes near Indian Hills and East Cobb, are priced per flue. Chimney cap or damper repairs discovered during inspection are quoted separately with written scope, never as an add-on surprise.
What you won’t pay for: a “free” inspection that becomes a high-pressure sales call, or a low initial price that excludes the camera work needed to actually evaluate your chimney. In Marietta’s competitive sweep market, we’ve reviewed competitor estimates that quoted $99 sweeps without mentioning that the “inspection” was a flashlight glance, or that camera work was a $200 upcharge. Our price includes the camera, the documentation, and the written warranty. Clause 1 of the Haven Standard exists because we believe you deserve to know the full cost before anyone touches your home.
We also offer a Free Second Opinion on any written estimate from another company. Bring us their scope and price, and we’ll review it against what our camera found. No charge, no obligation.
| Service | Typical Range in Marietta | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Sweep & Inspection | $189-$249 | Visual inspection, creosote/soot removal, written condition report |
| Level 2 Camera-Scan Inspection | $279-$349 | Full flue camera scan, photo/video record, written findings |
| Stage III Creosote Removal | $150-$300 additional | Chemical pretreatment, rotary mechanical removal, post-clean verification |
| Gas Log Set Removal/Reinstall | $40-$80 additional | Safe disconnect, sweep, reconnect, leak check |
| Multi-Flue Systems | Per-flue pricing | Each flue inspected and swept individually with full documentation |
Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Near Marietta - Our Service Area
We serve Marietta and the full Cobb County area, with regular routes to Chimney Cleaning & Sweep in Kennesaw, Chimney Cleaning & Sweep in Sandy Springs, and throughout the corridor from Acworth and Woodstock down through Roswell, Dunwoody, and North Atlanta. Most Marietta appointments are scheduled within 3-5 business days during peak season (September-November), and within 1-2 weeks in off-peak months. We also serve Holly Springs, Alpharetta, Dallas, and metro Atlanta proper for Level 2 inspections and repair projects that require our full diagnostic capability.
If you’re unsure whether your address falls within our standard routing, call (470) 288-2763 and we’ll confirm availability. We don’t charge travel fees within our core service area, and we don’t book jobs we can’t document properly.
Serving Marietta, GA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Marietta area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions - Chimney Cleaning & Sweep in Marietta
Chimney cleaning and sweep is the professional removal of creosote, soot, and debris from your fireplace and flue system, combined with structural inspection to identify fire and carbon monoxide hazards. Yes, you need it: NFPA 211 requires annual inspection for all solid-fuel chimneys, and Marietta’s building codes incorporate this standard by reference. Even gas fireplaces require periodic cleaning of burner ports and venting verification. Call (470) 288-2763 for a free estimate - we’ll tell you honestly whether your system needs service or can wait.
A standard Level 1 sweep and inspection takes 45-75 minutes for a single-flue system in normal condition. A Level 2 camera-scan inspection runs 90-120 minutes due to the full flue documentation and review time with the homeowner. Stage III creosote removal or multi-flue systems can extend to 2.5-3 hours. We don’t rush the camera work; Haven Standard Clause 4 requires a complete record, and that takes the time it takes. You’ll know the expected duration before we start.
Most Marietta homeowners pay $189-$249 for a standard sweep with Level 1 inspection, or $279-$349 for a Level 2 camera-scan inspection with full photo documentation. Factors that increase cost include Stage III creosote removal ($150-$300 additional), gas log set handling, and multi-flue systems. We deliver a written price before any work starts, and we don’t charge for findings we can’t show you on camera. Call (470) 288-2763 for an exact quote - estimates are free.
Yes. We’ve serviced hundreds of HeatShield relining systems and installed Gelco caps and Famco terminations across Cobb County. We stock replacement components through our Haven buying network and can source Olympia Chimney stainless products as needed. If your system uses another manufacturer, we evaluate compatibility and source appropriately. The brand doesn’t determine whether we can help; the camera inspection does.
We answer calls live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we prioritize chimney fire follow-ups and suspected carbon monoxide situations with same-day or next-day response when safety is involved. For non-emergency cleaning, we schedule during regular hours to ensure full camera documentation and proper equipment setup. If you’ve had a chimney fire, we perform a mandatory Level 2 inspection before the system is returned to service, per NFPA 211 and most insurance requirements.
Every job is backed by our 365-Day Done Right Promise: if it’s not done right, we make it right, at no additional cost. This covers workmanship, materials, and documentation accuracy. Haven Standard Clause 1 provides your written warranty at the time of service, not upon request weeks later. We also maintain your photo record indefinitely, so if questions arise at resale or insurance review, we can reproduce your documentation.
Remove ashes from the firebox if they’re more than 1 inch deep, clear the mantel and hearth area of decorative items, and ensure we have a clear path from your entry to the work area. Don’t burn a fire for 24 hours before service; the flue must be cool for safe access. If you have a gas log set, we handle removal and reinstallation as part of service. We’ll text you the technician’s name and arrival window the morning of your appointment. Call (470) 288-2763 to schedule - we’ll walk you through anything specific to your setup.
Schedule Your Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Service in Marietta Today
Call (470) 288-2763 now and you’ll reach a live person who can book your appointment, confirm your service area, and answer specific questions about your fireplace or chimney. We’ll deliver a written price before any work starts, a camera-scan photo record when we’re done, and the 365-Day Done Right Promise on every job. Estimates are free, and we offer a Free Second Opinion on any competitor’s written quote. Haven Standard since 2009. Independently owned and operated.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Emberly Chimney Cleaners Marietta, serving Marietta and Cobb County since 2009.