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 Peabody, MA
We can talk all day about brushes and vacuums, but seeing the flue before and after is what actually tells the story. These projects are from homes around Peabody, Danvers, and the North Shore. The photos will be added as we document each job, but the descriptions below are drawn from real chimney cleaning work we do every week from September through January.
Recent Transformations
Heavy Creosote Removal in a South Peabody Colonial
The homeowners had burned nothing but softwood for two winters. The flue was coated with second-degree creosote, the flaky kind that builds up in layers and restricts draft. Wendell ran the rotary brush and HEPA vacuum, then put the camera up to verify. The after scan showed bare tile from throat to cap. Total time from setup to cleanup: about ninety minutes.
First-Degree Creosote and Smoke Shelf Buildup in West Peabody
This was a classic case of a fireplace that worked fine but had not been swept in five years. The smoke shelf had a few inches of packed soot sitting on it, which is exactly where chimney odors come from when the weather turns damp. Wendell and his crew hand-cleaned the shelf, brushed the full length of the flue, and left the firebox cleaner than most kitchen floors. The owner lit a fire a week later and called to say the draft was noticeably stronger.
Third-Degree Glaze Breakup in a Danvers Cape
Once creosote glazes, a brush alone will not cut it. This flue had third-degree glaze from shoulder height up, the shiny tar-like coating that is one hot fire away from a chimney fire. We applied a creosote treatment, let it dwell, then returned to brush and remove the broken-down residue. The after photos are the difference between a glossy black pipe and a clean terracotta tile wall. This one took two visits, and the customer knew exactly why after seeing the camera footage.
Animal Nest and Debris Blockage in Lynnfield
No cap, no screen, and a squirrel found the flue before we did. The nest filled the top three feet of the chimney and had been there long enough to mat down. We removed it, brushed the full flue, and installed a proper cap so it would not happen again. The homeowner saw the nest material on the tarp and said he had smelled something odd all spring. Smoke and carbon monoxide were both being pushed back into the house. After the sweep and cap, the draft was clean.
Chimney Liner Cleaning Before a Home Sale in Salem
A home inspection flagged the chimney, and the sellers called us in a hurry. The liner was a stainless oval that had never been cleaned since installation. Light creosote and a lot of dust had settled inside. We brushed and vacuumed it, then ran the camera so the buyer’s inspector had a clear record. The sale closed without a chimney repair request. Wendell does these pre-sale sweeps every week in Salem and Beverly. The camera report is what makes the difference.
Want Results Like These?
If your chimney looks anything like the “before” photos above, call Top Hat Chimney at (978) 637-8560. We serve Peabody and the whole North Shore with upfront pricing, background-checked sweeps, and a live person on every call. Estimates are free, and the camera verdict is always yours to keep.
Written by Wendell Pike, Owner at Top Hat Chimney, serving Peabody and surrounding communities since 1999.