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 Redmond, WA
Chimney cleaning in Redmond, WA typically costs $189 to $349 for a standard sweep with a Level 1 inspection, and most jobs are completed in about an hour. Redmond’s older core neighborhoods are full of 1960s and 1970s masonry fireplaces that have accumulated creosote for decades, and the Sammamish Valley’s wet winters followed by hard freezes make inspection timing matter more than it does in coastal cities. If you’ve just bought a home on Education Hill or Grass Lawn and have no record of when the chimney was last swept, call (980) 580-8641 and we’ll give you a written price before anyone sets foot on your roof.
Why Redmond Homes Are Different
Redmond’s tech boom brought thousands of buyers into established neighborhoods where the original fireplaces had been burning wood since the Johnson administration. Many of those homes changed hands with the fireplace listed as an amenity but the flue never inspected, which means we regularly find chimneys on Education Hill and in Grass Lawn that haven’t been cleaned in 20 years or more. That is not a scare tactic; it’s what the camera shows when we drop it down the flue.
The climate here does specific damage. Redmond sits inland in the Sammamish Valley, so winter temperatures dip below freezing more often than in Seattle or Kirkland. Masonry chimneys absorb rain, then freeze, and the expanding ice cracks mortar joints and spalls brick faces faster than in milder waterfront microclimates. West-facing chimney stacks on the upper slopes of Education Hill take the full force of Pacific storm systems funneling through the valley, and we consistently find the windward crown failed while the downslope side looks untouched. That directional damage pattern is something we see in Redmond more than anywhere else on the Eastside.
The housing stock splits into two categories. Original site-built masonry fireplaces dominate the 1960s and 1970s ranch-style and split-level homes in Education Hill, Grass Lawn, and Bear Creek. The 1990s and 2000s subdivisions around Overlake and Redmond Ridge used factory-built zero-clearance inserts instead, which need different cleaning and inspection protocols than masonry systems. Knowing which one you have changes what the job involves.
Our Main Redmond Services
Beyond sweeping, the two services Redmond homeowners call about most are fireplace repairs and chimney caps and crowns, both driven by the freeze-thaw damage profile of this area’s older masonry chimneys.
Fireplace Services in Redmond
Redmond’s original 1960s and 1970s fireplaces often have failing dampers, cracked firebrick, and smoke chambers that were never parged properly when they were built. We inspect the firebox, damper, and smoke chamber with a camera, then quote repairs in writing before work starts. If your fireplace smokes into the room or the damper won’t seal, see Fireplace Services in Redmond for specifics.
Chimney Cap & Crown in Redmond
The wet-then-freeze cycle in Redmond is hardest on chimney crowns, which crack and let water into the masonry below. A failed crown left alone becomes spalling brick and mortar joint failure within a few winters. We replace crowns with proper overhang and install caps sized to the flue. Learn more on our Chimney Cap & Crown in Redmond page.
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 Cleaning & Sweep in Redmond
Chimney cleaning and sweeping in Redmond means dealing with creosote that has built up in original clay tile flue liners for as long as 50 years. The wet winters and freeze cycles in the Sammamish Valley push moisture into those liners, which makes creosote cling and harden faster than in drier climates. A standard sweep with a Level 1 inspection on an Education Hill or Grass Lawn home usually runs $189 to $349, and the camera scan we include on every job shows you exactly what was removed. For a full look at what the service includes, see Chimney Cleaning & Sweep.
Level 1 Inspection
Signs you need it
You use your fireplace regularly and haven’t had the flue looked at in over a year, or you just bought a Redmond home with no chimney records.
What it costs in Redmond
A Level 1 inspection is included with a standard sweep, which runs $189 to $349 in Redmond.
How we do it
We check the accessible portions of the flue, firebox, damper, and exterior chimney, then write up what we found with photo documentation.
Creosote Removal
Signs you need it
You see black, tar-like buildup on the firebox walls or smell a sharp, smoky odor even when the fireplace isn’t in use.
What it costs in Redmond
Heavy creosote removal, meaning Class II or Class III glaze, typically adds $100 to $250 to the sweep price in Redmond homes.
How we do it
We run rotary wire brushes or chemical treatments down the flue to break up hardened creosote, then vacuum it out and show you the before and after photos.
Soot Removal
Signs you need it
You use manufactured logs or burn a lot of softwood, and a black dusting appears on the damper or mantel.
What it costs in Redmond
Soot removal is part of a standard sweep, which runs $189 to $349 in Redmond, with no extra line item for standard soot.
How we do it
We brush the flue and firebox, remove the soot with a HEPA-filtered vacuum, and document the result with the camera scan included on every visit.
Annual Sweep
Signs you need it
You burn wood more than twice a week during Redmond’s winter months, or you can’t remember when the chimney was last cleaned.
What it costs in Redmond
An annual sweep in Redmond runs $189 to $349, which includes the Level 1 inspection and camera scan.
How we do it
We schedule the sweep before burning season, clean the flue and firebox, and leave you with a written record of what was done and what we saw.
What Chimney Cleaning & Sweep Costs in Redmond
| Item | Typical range in Redmond |
|---|---|
| Standard sweep with Level 1 inspection | $189 - $349 |
| Heavy creosote removal (Class II or III) | $100 - $250 added |
| Level 2 camera inspection (standalone or added) | $100 - $200 added |
How often should I have my chimney swept in Redmond?
Once a year if you burn wood regularly, and before burning season if you only use the fireplace occasionally. The freeze-thaw cycle here makes regular inspection the cheapest way to catch crown and mortar damage before it becomes structural.
Can you clean a zero-clearance fireplace in Redmond?
Yes, and the protocol is different from masonry systems. Zero-clearance units common in Overlake and Redmond Ridge homes need specific brush sizes and a check of the factory-built flue components. Call (980) 580-8641 for a written quote.
Chimney Repair in Redmond
Chimney repair in Redmond is usually about water. The Sammamish Valley’s rain-soaked winters followed by hard freezes crack mortar joints, spall brick faces, and fail flashing on original masonry chimneys faster than almost anywhere else on the Eastside, and the fix is almost always less expensive when caught early. The repair work on a 1960s Education Hill chimney typically runs $350 to $1,800 depending on scope. See Chimney Repair for the full breakdown.
Mortar Repointing
Signs you need it
The mortar between bricks is crumbling, eroding, or missing in patches, especially on the windward side of the chimney.
What it costs in Redmond
Repointing in Redmond typically runs $350 to $900 for a partial job and more for full chimney repointing.
How we do it
We grind out the failing mortar to a proper depth, pack in new mortar matched to the original color, and document the repaired area with photos.
Spalling Brick Repair
Signs you need it
Brick faces are flaking, peeling, or falling off, leaving the softer interior of the brick exposed to Redmond’s freeze-thaw cycles.
What it costs in Redmond
Spalling brick repair in Redmond typically runs $600 to $1,800 depending on how many bricks are failing.
How we do it
We remove the damaged bricks, set replacements with matching mortar, and seal the repaired area against water intrusion.
Chimney Waterproofing
Signs you need it
Water stains appear on the interior wall around the fireplace after heavy rain, or the chimney exterior darkens and stays wet for days.
What it costs in Redmond
Chimney waterproofing in Redmond typically runs $400 to $900 for a full application.
How we do it
We clean the masonry, apply a vapor-permeable waterproofing treatment, and photograph the finished surface so you can see the coverage.
Flashing Repair
Signs you need it
You see rusted, lifted, or missing flashing at the roofline, or water leaks into the attic near the chimney after storms funnel through the Sammamish Valley.
What it costs in Redmond
Flashing repair or replacement in Redmond typically runs $400 to $1,200 depending on roof pitch and access.
How we do it
We remove the old flashing, install new step and counter flashing, and seal the joint with a high-grade polyurethane caulk.
What Chimney Repair Costs in Redmond
| Item | Typical range in Redmond |
|---|---|
| Mortar repointing (partial) | $350 - $900 |
| Spalling brick repair | $600 - $1,800 |
| Flashing repair or replacement | $400 - $1,200 |
Do I need a permit for chimney repair in Redmond?
Most repointing, spalling brick repair, and flashing work doesn’t require a permit in Redmond, but structural rebuilding may. We check the current City of Redmond requirements before starting any job and factor that into your written quote.
Can chimney repair wait until spring in Redmond?
Water intrusion should be addressed before winter, because every freeze-thaw cycle expands the damage. Hairline cracks become spalled brick within two or three Redmond winters. Call (980) 580-8641 and we’ll give you an honest answer on urgency.
Chimney Liner & Rebuild in Redmond
Chimney liner replacement and rebuilding in Redmond is driven by the same freeze-thaw cycle that damages the exterior masonry, because water that gets into the flue cracks clay tile liners from the inside. Original 1960s and 1970s chimneys in Education Hill and Bear Creek often have liners that are cracked, spalled, or missing entirely, and running a fireplace through a failed liner is a carbon monoxide risk. Liner replacement in Redmond typically runs $2,900 to $8,500, and full rebuilds run higher. See Chimney Liner & Rebuild for the full scope.
Stainless Steel Liner
Signs you need it
The clay tile liner is cracked, spalled, or missing sections, which the camera scan we run on every visit will show you directly.
What it costs in Redmond
A stainless steel liner in Redmond typically runs $2,900 to $5,500 installed, including the top plate and cap.
How we do it
We size the liner to the flue and appliance, insulate it where code requires, and pull it down the chimney from the top, then document the finished installation with photos.
Flexible Liner
Signs you need it
Your flue has bends or offset sections that a rigid liner can’t navigate, or you’re lining an existing masonry chimney with a non-standard shape.
What it costs in Redmond
A flexible liner in Redmond typically runs $2,900 to $5,500 installed, similar to rigid stainless steel.
How we do it
We run the flexible liner through the flue path, connect it to the appliance and top plate, and insulate as required by local code.
Partial Rebuild
Signs you need it
The top courses of brick are spalled or failing but the chimney below the roofline is still sound, a pattern we see frequently on windward-facing Redmond chimneys.
What it costs in Redmond
A partial rebuild from the roofline up in Redmond typically runs $3,000 to $6,500.
How we do it
We tear down to the roofline, set new brick matched to the existing profile, pour a new crown with proper overhang, and cap the flue.
Full Chimney Rebuild
Signs you need it
The chimney is leaning, has structural cracks through multiple courses, or the masonry has deteriorated beyond what repointing can address.
What it costs in Redmond
A full chimney rebuild in Redmond typically runs $6,500 to $12,000 or more depending on height and access.
How we do it
We tear down the existing chimney and rebuild it from the firebox up, using materials from DuraFlex, HeatShield, and Copperfield, and document every stage with photos.
What Chimney Liner & Rebuild Costs in Redmond
| Item | Typical range in Redmond |
|---|---|
| Stainless steel liner replacement | $2,900 - $5,500 |
| Partial rebuild (roofline up) | $3,000 - $6,500 |
| Full chimney rebuild | $6,500 - $12,000+ |
Do I really need a new liner, or can you just patch the old one?
You can’t patch a cracked clay tile liner; flue gases follow the crack path into the masonry and eventually the living space. We’ll show you the camera footage of your liner before quoting anything, and we’ll tell you plainly if it can safely wait. Call (980) 580-8641 for a free estimate.
How long does a liner replacement take in Redmond?
Most liner replacements in Redmond are done in one day. Full rebuilds take longer depending on weather, because masonry work can’t be done in the wettest months without tenting. We schedule liner work around the winter freeze so new installations cure correctly.
Brands We Service in Redmond
We work on chimneys built with components from Famco, Copperfield, and DuraFlex, and we stock replacement parts for those brands. If a liner, cap, or flue component needs replacing, sourcing through our network keeps turnaround under two weeks in most Redmond cases. See our brands for the full list.
Pricing for Chimney Cleaning in Redmond, WA
| Service | Typical range in Redmond |
|---|---|
| Standard sweep with Level 1 inspection | $189 - $349 |
| Level 2 inspection (standalone or added) | $100 - $200 added |
| Heavy creosote removal (Class II or III) | $100 - $250 added |
| Mortar repointing (partial) | $350 - $900 |
| Spalling brick repair | $600 - $1,800 |
| Flashing repair or replacement | $400 - $1,200 |
| Chimney waterproofing | $400 - $900 |
| Stainless steel liner replacement | $2,900 - $5,500 |
| Partial rebuild (roofline up) | $3,000 - $6,500 |
| Full chimney rebuild | $6,500 - $12,000+ |
| Chimney cap and crown replacement | $400 - $1,800 |
Prices in Redmond push toward the higher end when the chimney is on a steep roof, when access requires special equipment, or when a 1960s chimney has multiple failing components that should be addressed together. Whatever the number is, you’ll have it in writing before we start, on a line-item quote that names the scope, the materials, and the warranty.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Redmond
We serve the full Redmond area, from the established 1960s and 1970s neighborhoods to the newer subdivisions east of the valley. Most Redmond appointments land within a 1 to 3 day window depending on the season, and fall fills up fastest.
- Education Hill
- Grass Lawn
- Bear Creek
- Overlake
- Redmond Ridge
Service Area - Cities Near Redmond
We also serve the surrounding Eastside communities, where the housing stock and climate conditions are similar but not identical. Chimney work in Kirkland, WA tends to involve less freeze damage because of the lake-moderated microclimate, while Sammamish, WA and Bothell, WA reflect the inland freeze pattern more closely. Bellevue, WA splits the difference depending on elevation and exposure. Dispatch and scheduling are coordinated from our Seattle office, and crews serve Redmond locally.
Serving Redmond, WA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Redmond 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 Redmond
Standard sweeping, inspections, and most repairs don’t require a permit in Redmond. Structural rebuilds and some liner installations may. We check current City of Redmond requirements before starting any job and include permit costs in your written quote when they apply.
Most Redmond appointments are scheduled within 1 to 3 days during the spring and summer. Fall and early winter book out further, because that’s when everyone realizes burning season has arrived. Call (980) 580-8641 and we’ll give you a real date on the spot.
Some Redmond HOAs, particularly in Redmond Ridge and newer Overlake subdivisions, require that external modifications like caps or crowns match approved materials. We can provide the written documentation and photo record your HOA needs, and we’ll flag any approval requirements before work 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 Redmond Customers Say
"We were buying the house and needed a real inspection. The report had photographs, the standard it was done to, and a clear repair figure. The seller paid for the repair."
- Lorna D."They ran a camera down the flue and showed me the cracked tiles on a screen. The previous company had swept it twice and never mentioned it."
- Gregory F."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.