The Fall Sweep Guide

Michigan's heating season runs roughly October through April. That's six months of combustion byproducts in your flue, and a spring-to-fall stretch of rain, snow and freeze-thaw working on the masonry. The busy window for sweeps is September through November — book late and you're competing with everyone who waited for the first cold night.

Not sure who to call? (313) 391-5885 — let us find the right company for you with just a quick phone call.

Why an annual sweep matters here

• Creosote. Burning wood deposits creosote on the flue walls; it's the leading fuel for chimney fires. The NFPA recommends a yearly inspection, and regular-use fireplaces generally need a yearly sweep.
• Freeze-thaw. Metro Detroit goes through dozens of freeze-thaw cycles each winter. Water sits in cracked mortar and crown, freezes, and widens the cracks — small masonry repairs become rebuilds.
• Critters and blockages. An uncapped flue collects nests, leaves and animals between spring and fall. A sweep clears it; a cap keeps it clear.
• Carbon monoxide. A blocked or cracked flue can push combustion gases back into the house. Oil and gas flues need checking too, not just wood.

What a sweep visit usually includes

Across the operators listed here, a standard visit typically pairs the cleaning with a visual inspection of the firebox, damper, smoke chamber, liner, crown, cap and flashing. Several Metro Detroit companies advertise 21-point inspections; some include camera footage and a written report. Ask what you're getting — and whether the inspection is Level 1 (visual) or Level 2 (camera, typically for real-estate transfers or after an incident).

How to pick from the directory

1. Check the service area on the listing — most operators are mobile and cross county lines.
2. Or skip the homework: call (313) 391-5885 and tell us the job — we'll point you to a company that fits.
3. Prefer published prices? Sort by the pricing note on each listing — a few operators publish real numbers, the rest quote free estimates.

Last updated 2026-09-28.