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.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterChimney Cleaning Before & After in Boston, MA
Photographs do what promises can’t. A camera scan before a sweep shows you the creosote, the obstruction, the flue condition. A scan after shows the bare flue wall, the cleared smoke shelf, the documented proof. Every Level Two Chimney Boston visit since 2009 has ended with a photo record in your hands. That’s Clause 4 of the Haven Standard, and it means these transformations aren’t claims. They’re evidence.
Recent Transformations
Class III Creosote Removal in a Dorchester Triple-Decker
The flue had a quarter-inch of glazed Class III creosote, the tar-like form that clings to flue walls and fuels chimney fires. Our technician ran a rotary cleaning head with flex rods through the full flue length, then camera-scanned to confirm removal at the smoke shelf and liner joints. The after image shows clean refractory surface, not a creosote glaze over it. The homeowner received 14 before-and-after photos plus a written flue condition report.
Nesting Debris and Smoke Shelf Clearance in Jamaica Plain
A smoky fireplace and a faint damp odor in the dining room brought us to this Jamaica Plain single-family. The camera revealed a smoke shelf piled with nesting material and flaked creosote, effectively narrowing the draft passage. We hand-cleared the shelf, swept the full flue, and ran the camera again to document the open path from firebox to chimney cap.
Chimney Cap Corrosion and Flue Sweep in South Boston
Rust flakes from a corroded cap were dropping into the flue, mixing with creosote and restricting airflow. We documented the cap condition from the roof, removed the old cap, swept the flue, and installed a stainless replacement with proper mesh. The written scope listed the cap brand and dimensions. The photo record included roof-level images of the new cap seated correctly.
Oil-to-Gas Conversion Follow-Up Sweep in West Roxbury
When a heating system changes from oil to gas, the old flue needs assessment before a liner goes in. This West Roxbury flue carried years of oil residue that had corroded the surface. We swept the flue, removed the sulfur-stained deposits, and documented the flue dimensions and condition so the liner contractor could size properly. The homeowner got a written report showing the flue interior was clear and ready.
Animal Entry and Flue Blockage in Roslindale
This Roslindale homeowner called after hearing scratching in the chimney and noticing smoke backing into the living room. The camera showed a blockage in the upper flue. We removed the debris, swept the flue, and checked the cap mesh for gaps that allowed entry. The after scan shows an unobstructed flue with a clear path from firebox to cap.
Heavy Creosote from Unswept Fireplace in Hyde Park
An unswept fireplace over several winters produced creosote deposits that narrowed the flue opening to under half its diameter. Our sweep used a powered rotary system to break through the buildup, then hand-cleaned the firebox and damper area. The after image shows a full-diameter flue and a clean firebox. The written report noted the reduced clearance and recommended annual sweeping for this usage level.
Want Results Like These?
Every Level Two Chimney Boston job follows the same sequence: a written price before anyone starts, a camera scan before and after, and a documented photo record delivered when the work is done. That’s the Haven Standard, and it’s how we’ve handled 38,000-plus chimney inspections and cleanings since 2009. Call (857) 567-8887 to book your sweep in Boston, MA. You’ll get a written price and a named technician before any equipment comes off the truck.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Level Two Chimney Boston, serving Boston, MA since 2009.