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 in Troy, MI
Chimney cleaning in Troy, MI costs $169-$249 for a standard sweep with a Level 1 inspection, and $249-$389 when a camera-scan Level 2 inspection documents the flue condition. The reason Troy jobs skew different from surrounding Oakland County cities comes down to the housing stock: thousands of 1960-1985 colonials and Tudors built with two or three masonry fireplaces, now all aging into the same repair window at once. Call (980) 580-8641 for a written price before any work starts.
Why Troy Homes Are Different
Troy’s residential boom hit hardest between 1960 and 1990, when Detroit’s auto-industry prosperity funded subdivision after subdivision of brick colonials, Tudors, and ranch homes built for engineers and executives who expected a fireplace in the living room, the family room, and often the master suite. A single chimney frequently serves two or three flues in those houses, which means a “chimney cleaning” is rarely one flue. It’s an inspection of the entire stack and every connected flue.
The climate compounds the age problem. Troy sits in southeast Michigan’s freeze-thaw corridor, where temperatures cycle above and below freezing dozens of times each winter and spring. Water finds tiny mortar cracks, expands as ice, and widens them. Repeat that for 40 or 50 years and you get spalling brick faces, failed crowns, and mortar joints that look like they’ve been scrubbed with a wire brush. Around 40 inches of annual snowfall plus wet springs keeps moisture pressing against those same stacks between cleaning seasons.
There’s another pattern we see repeatedly in Troy: homes upgraded to high-efficiency 90+ furnaces in the 2000s and 2010s abandoned the flue that used to serve the old furnace. Nobody lined or capped it. That open, cold flue now draws moisture and cold air down through the chimney system, accelerating deterioration in the adjacent flues still serving wood-burning fireplaces. Cleaning alone won’t fix that, and we’ll tell you plainly when it won’t.
Our Main Troy Services
Troy homeowners call us most often about two issues beyond the sweep itself: fireplaces that won’t draw or smell, and caps or crowns that have failed and are letting water into the stack. Here’s what each involves locally.
Fireplace Services in Troy
Troy’s original masonry fireboxes are now 40-60 years old, and many show refractory panel cracks, loose dampers, or smoke that rolls back into the room on cold starts. We inspect the firebox, damper assembly, and the full flue path, then give you a written scope with a camera record of what we found. Fireplace Services in Troy covers the full range of work we do inside the firebox itself.
Chimney Cap & Crown in Troy
Failed crowns are one of the most common findings on Troy chimneys because the original mortar crowns from the 1960s and 1970s were poured thin and without expansion joints. Freeze-thaw cycles crack them, then water runs into the masonry below. A proper cap and crown repair stops that intake at the top. Chimney Cap & Crown in Troy details materials and the signs of failure we look for.
What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
- 3
A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
- 4
You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
BeforeAfterChimney Sweep in Troy
Chimney sweep in Troy means removing creosote and soot from flues that have served 40-60 year old masonry fireplaces through decades of Michigan winters. On a two- or three-flue stack, the cleaning is only the starting point; the real value is the Level 2 camera-scan inspection that documents what the flue liner, smoke chamber, and crown actually look like once the creosote is off the walls. That’s the Chimney Sweep standard we work to on every Troy job: camera down the flue, photos you keep, written price before work starts.
Level 1 Inspection
Signs you need it
You burn wood regularly and haven’t had the chimney looked at in over a year, or you just bought the home and want a documented baseline before the first fire.
What it costs in Troy
In Troy, a Level 1 inspection typically runs $129-$199 when paired with a standard sweep, which is included in the $169-$249 chimney cleaning range.
How we do it
We check the readily accessible portions of the chimney: firebox, damper, visible flue interior, exterior masonry, and the basic condition of the cap and crown, then hand you a written summary with photos.
Level 2 Inspection
Signs you need it
You’re buying or selling a Troy home, there’s been a chimney fire, a severe weather event, or you made a change like converting the furnace to high-efficiency and abandoning the old flue.
What it costs in Troy
A Level 2 inspection with camera scan in Troy runs $249-$389, including the camera footage and a photo report you keep.
How we do it
We run a video camera through the entire flue and scan the smoke chamber, liner, and crown, then sit down with you and walk through exactly what the footage shows before anything is recommended.
Creosote Removal
Signs you need it
There’s a thick, tar-like glaze on the flue walls, or you smell a sharp campfire odor inside the house on humid days.
What it costs in Troy
Heavy creosote removal in Troy, where Class III glazed creosote requires mechanical removal with rotary loops or chemical treatment, adds $75-$150 to the standard sweep price.
How we do it
We use rotary cleaning loops and brushes sized to the flue to break the glazed creosote free, then vacuum it out and document the before-and-after liner condition with the camera.
Soot Removal
Signs you need it
You burn primarily wood and see fine black powder on the firebox floor or a dull coating on the glass doors after each fire.
What it costs in Troy
Soot removal is included in the standard Troy chimney cleaning at $169-$249, since soot lifts with the same brush work that removes lighter creosote deposits.
How we do it
We brush the flue from top or bottom depending on access, vacuum the smoke shelf and firebox, and confirm with the camera that the walls are clean down to the liner surface.
Annual Sweep
Signs you need it
You burn more than a cord of wood per season, or you have a wood-burning fireplace that sees weekend use from October through March.
What it costs in Troy
An annual sweep in Troy with a Level 1 inspection runs $169-$249, and we recommend booking it every fall before the burn season starts.
How we do it
We sweep the flue, clean the smoke chamber and shelf, check the damper, cap, and crown, and leave you with a dated written record and photos for your files.
What Chimney Sweep Costs in Troy
| Item | Typical range in Troy |
|---|---|
| Standard sweep with Level 1 inspection | $169-$249 |
| Level 2 camera-scan inspection | $249-$389 |
| Heavy creosote removal (Class III) | $75-$150 add-on |
How often should I have my Troy chimney swept?
Every 30-40 burns or once per season, whichever comes first. In Troy’s long burn season that usually means one sweep per year for active wood fireplaces.
Can you clean all three flues on my Troy chimney in one visit?
Yes, we schedule time for the entire stack, sweep each flue that serves a fireplace, and camera-inspect each one separately. You’ll get one written report covering all flues.
Chimney Repair in Troy
Chimney repair in Troy deals with the structural consequence of 40-60 year old masonry and relentless freeze-thaw cycling: spalling brick faces, eroded mortar joints, cracked crowns, and flashing that has pulled away from the roofline. The Chimney Repair work we do here is driven by what the camera and the exterior inspection show, not by a checklist. If the liner is intact and the water is coming from a cracked crown, we say so and quote the crown, not a rebuild.
Mortar Repointing
Signs you need it
Mortar joints are recessed, crumbling, or missing in patches, especially on the upper third of the chimney where rain and snow hit hardest.
What it costs in Troy
Repointing in Troy typically runs $40-$80 per square foot of masonry, with most residential chimneys falling between $1,200 and $2,400 depending on access and joint depth.
How we do it
We grind out the damaged mortar to a consistent depth, pack in a color-matched type N or type S mortar, and tool the joints to match the original profile.
Spalling Brick Repair
Signs you need it
Brick faces are flaking, popping, or leaving red dust and chips on the ground around the chimney base.
What it costs in Troy
Replacements for spalled bricks in Troy run $50-$120 per brick, but most jobs involve 10-30 bricks plus repointing for a total of $1,500-$3,500.
How we do it
We cut out the damaged brick with a masonry saw, set matching replacements in fresh mortar, and document the repair with photos showing the new brick blended with the old.
Chimney Waterproofing
Signs you need it
Interior walls near the chimney show water staining after heavy rain, or the exterior brick stays dark and damp for days after a storm.
What it costs in Troy
Chimney waterproofing in Troy runs $299-$599 for a standard residential stack, applied after repairs and clean of any failed sealers.
How we do it
We clean the masonry, apply a vapor-permeable silane-siloxane sealer that lets the brick breathe, and record the product used in your written report.
Flashing Repair
Signs you need it
You see rusted or lifted flashing at the roofline, or water is getting into the attic near the chimney after wind-driven rain.
What it costs in Troy
Flashing repair in Troy averages $400-$900 depending on roof pitch and whether we’re replacing step flashing, counter flashing, or both.
How we do it
We cut out the old flashing, install new step and counter flashing in the roofline, and seal every seam with a polymer-based sealant rated for Michigan temperature swings.
Chimney Rebuilding
Signs you need it
The top section of the chimney is leaning, the flue is exposed, or spalling has removed more than a third of the brick faces above the roofline.
What it costs in Troy
Partial rebuilds in Troy run $1,500-$3,500 depending on how many courses are taken down; full rebuilds from the roofline up run $4,000-$10,000.
How we do it
We take the damaged section down course by course, rebuild it with new brick and a proper poured crown, and document every stage with photos before and after.
What Chimney Repair Costs in Troy
| Item | Typical range in Troy |
|---|---|
| Mortar repointing | $40-$80 per sq ft |
| Spalling brick repair | $50-$120 per brick |
| Chimney waterproofing | $299-$599 |
Do I need a permit to repair a chimney in Troy?
Most repointing, brick replacement, and crown work does not require a city permit in Troy. Structural rebuilds taken down past the roofline may, and we’ll tell you before quoting.
Can you match the brick on my Troy colonial?
We keep a stock of common Troy-era brick and can order matches through our supply network. The finished repair is documented with photos so you can see the blend before we leave.
Chimney Liner & Rebuild in Troy
Chimney liner and rebuild work in Troy usually starts with one of two findings: a cracked or missing clay liner that’s now dumping heat and gases into the masonry, or a high-efficiency furnace conversion that left the old flue abandoned, cold, and pulling moisture through the whole system. The Chimney Liner & Rebuild work we quote in Troy is always preceded by a camera scan so you see the liner condition with your own eyes before we discuss replacement. If the liner is sound and the problem is the crown, we say that plainly.
Stainless Steel Liner
Signs you need it
The camera shows cracked clay tiles, missing sections of liner, or the flue serving a new gas appliance that never had a liner installed.
What it costs in Troy
A stainless steel liner installed in Troy runs $2,500-$4,900 depending on flue height and whether insulation is required.
How we do it
We size the liner to the appliance, drop it down the flue, insulate if code requires, and seal both ends before running the camera again to confirm proper fit.
Liner Replacement
Signs you need it
The existing liner has spalled or cracked to the point that flue gases are entering the masonry, or the liner no longer matches the appliance it serves.
What it costs in Troy
Liner replacement in Troy typically matches the stainless steel range of $2,500-$4,900, with HeatShield resurfacing as a lower-cost alternative around $1,800-$3,200.
How we do it
We remove or bypass the failed liner, install the replacement, secure it at the top plate and appliance connection, and give you a photo record of the finished install.
Partial Rebuild
Signs you need it
The top courses of brick are failing but the lower chimney is sound, or a leaning stack section needs to come down before the liner can be replaced.
What it costs in Troy
Partial rebuilds in Troy run $1,500-$3,500, with liner work added on top if the reconstruction exposes a failed flue.
How we do it
We take down the damaged courses, rebuild with new brick and crown, then assess whether the liner below is worth keeping or needs replacement in the same visit.
Full Chimney Rebuild
Signs you need it
Spalling has compromised the structure from the roofline up, the stack is leaning, or the original 1960s masonry is beyond patching.
What it costs in Troy
Full chimney rebuilds from the roofline up in Troy average $4,000-$10,000, with brick matching and multi-flue stacks at the higher end.
How we do it
We rebuild the whole stack course by course, pour a proper crown with expansion joints, install or replace the liner, and document every phase with photos you keep.
What Chimney Liner & Rebuild Costs in Troy
| Item | Typical range in Troy |
|---|---|
| Stainless steel liner | $2,500-$4,900 |
| HeatShield liner resurfacing | $1,800-$3,200 |
| Full chimney rebuild | $4,000-$10,000 |
My furnace was converted to high-efficiency. Do I need a liner in the old flue?
If the old flue now serves nothing, it needs to be capped and sealed, not lined. An open abandoned flue pulls moisture through the system and damages the flues still in use.
Can you line just one flue on a multi-flue Troy chimney?
Yes, we can line a single flue while leaving the others intact, as long as the camera scan shows the shared masonry is sound enough to isolate the work.
Brands We Service in Troy
We stock and install parts from Gelco, Olympia Chimney, and Copperfield for Troy jobs, ordered through our supply network so you’re not paying retail markup on common components. Our brands page lists the full lineup, and turnaround on stocked parts for Troy service is typically same-week.
Pricing for Chimney Cleaning in Troy, MI
| Service | Typical range in Troy |
|---|---|
| Standard sweep with Level 1 inspection | $169-$249 |
| Level 2 camera-scan inspection | $249-$389 |
| Heavy creosote removal (Class III) | $75-$150 add-on |
| Mortar repointing | $40-$80 per sq ft |
| Spalling brick repair | $50-$120 per brick |
| Chimney waterproofing | $299-$599 |
| Flashing repair | $400-$900 |
| Partial chimney rebuild | $1,500-$3,500 |
| Full chimney rebuild | $4,000-$10,000 |
| Stainless steel liner | $2,500-$4,900 |
| HeatShield liner resurfacing | $1,800-$3,200 |
What pushes a Troy quote toward the top of those ranges is almost always access: steep roof pitches, tall stacks, or flues that haven’t been cleaned in years and require extra mechanical creosote removal. You’ll get a written price before any work starts, every time, with no exceptions.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Troy
We take chimney cleaning and repair calls across all of Troy, from the Somerset corridor to the older subdivisions east of Livernois. Our dispatch is coordinated from the Detroit office, and crews serve Troy locally.
- Beach Forest
- Troy Farm Estates
- Somerset
- Maple Acres
- Northfield Hills
Response time for most Troy calls is within a few days, and we text you when the named technician is on the way.
Service Area - Cities Near Troy
Beyond Troy, we cover chimney cleaning and repair in Pontiac, MI, Waterford, MI, Southfield, MI, and Royal Oak, MI. Each city has its own housing patterns, but the freeze-thaw problems are the same across Oakland County.
Serving Troy, MI - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Troy area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About Chimney Cleaning in Troy
We book an appointment, usually within a few days of your call. Sweeps are scheduled, not dispatched same-day, especially in fall when Troy homeowners book ahead of burn season. Call (980) 580-8641 to get on the schedule.
Troy does not require routine chimney inspections, but some subdivision HOAs maintain exterior standards that cover chimney condition. If you’re selling, a Level 2 inspection with camera documentation is what most buyers’ inspectors will ask to see.
No. We run HEPA-filtered vacuums during the sweep, lay drop cloths in the firebox area, and clean the workspace before we leave. The photo record documents the flue condition, not the condition of your floors, because the floors stay clean.
For a free estimate on any chimney work in Troy, call (980) 580-8641. We answer live, 24/7, and we’ll give you a written price before anything starts.
What happens when you call
- 1A real person answersNo phone trees - talk to a local chimney cleaning pro.
- 2You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched. No surprises.
- 3We come out and measureLicensed & insured, at a time that suits you - the visit and the quote are both free.
- 4You get the price in writingLine-itemed, yours to keep, and nothing starts until you say go.
What Troy Customers Say
"Found a bird nest and a blocked flue we had no idea about. Photographed everything, cleared it, and explained what the smell had been."
- Curtis V."They told me the flue was fine and I did not need a liner. Charged me for the inspection and nothing else. That is why I have called them twice since."
- Hal M."Cap and crown replaced after water was getting in. Price was quoted in writing, and they showed me the mortar failure first."
- Neil O.