Frequently Asked Questions

We lay protective coverings, run a rotary sweep system from the roof or hearth to scrape creosote and debris, and vacuum all fallout before we leave. The process takes 45–90 minutes for a standard Rochester ranch or colonial, longer for multi-flue systems in larger Webster or Pittsford homes. We inspect the firebox, damper, and exterior crown for damage. You'll receive a written condition report with photos — and we'll flag anything that needs attention before burn season.

The NFPA recommends annual inspection; cleaning frequency depends on use. Rochester homeowners who burn 2–3 cords of hardwood per winter — typical in Hilton, Hamlin, and rural Brockport — need yearly sweeping. Occasional weekend fires in a Brighton gas insert might stretch to every 2–3 years. Our heavy heating-degree days and long winters mean creosote accumulates faster here than in milder climates. We send reminder emails each August so you're scheduled before the October rush.

Most single-flue cleanings take 60–75 minutes from arrival to cleanup. Two-flue systems in older Irondequoit capes or Greece splits run 90–120 minutes. We don't rush — we'd rather spend extra time on a thorough job than miss cracked flue tiles that could leak carbon monoxide into your home. We schedule in 2-hour windows, arrive within 15 minutes of the start time, and text when we're en route. Weekend slots fill fast in September and October; book early.

You can brush surface soot from the firebox, but we don't recommend DIY flue cleaning. Rochester's freeze-thaw cycles damage crowns and liners, creating hidden hazards that a homeowner's brush won't reveal. Steep-pitched roofs common in North Gates and Fairport make ladder work genuinely dangerous — we've responded to emergency calls after DIY falls. Our rotary systems reach every flue corner, and our cameras spot cracks you cannot see from below. For safety and insurance purposes, hire a certified sweep.

Clear a 6-foot workspace around your hearth and remove ashes if they're more than a few inches deep. We bring our own drop cloths, HEPA vacuums, and tools. If you have a wood stove in a Greece or Hamlin home, let it cool for 24 hours beforehand — we cannot sweep hot systems. Move fragile items from the mantel. Make sure we have driveway access; our truck-mounted equipment stays outside. We'll handle everything else from there.

We install DuraFlex stainless steel liners for most Rochester retrofits — they handle our temperature swings and corrosive byproducts from both gas and wood combustion. For oil-to-gas conversions common in older Brighton and East Rochester homes, we often specify Famco components for their precise fit in narrow flues. Every liner we install is UL-listed and sized to your appliance's BTU output. We don't guess; we measure and spec it right.

Yes — Olympia Chimney's stainless steel liners and caps are excellent for Rochester's harsh winters, and we source their products for many Webster and Fairport installations. Their multi-flue caps stand up to heavy lake-effect snow loads off Lake Ontario. We pair Olympia components with our own custom flashing work to prevent the water intrusion that destroys chimneys in freeze-thaw climates. Ask us about Olympia options during your estimate.

A stainless steel or copper cap with a minimum 5-inch mesh is essential here — it keeps out rain, squirrels, and the starlings that nest in Rochester chimneys every spring. We install Famco and Copperfield caps with proper overhang to shed water away from the crown. In wind-exposed Hilton and Hamlin properties, we add wind-resistant designs that prevent downdrafts. A quality cap runs $275–$450 installed and prevents $2,000+ in water damage repairs.

We're fully insured and bonded, with coverage specific to chimney sweeping, repair, and rooftop work. Anthony Perez maintains CSIA certification and our technicians carry individual chimney sweep credentials. New York doesn't require a state-level chimney license, but Monroe County and the City of Rochester do enforce building permits for liner replacements and structural repairs — we pull those permits as part of our service. Ask to see our certificates; we carry copies in every truck.

Most liner replacements and crown rebuilds require a Monroe County building permit, which we obtain and schedule inspections for. Simple sweeps and cap installations don't. In the City of Rochester proper, historic district homes in Corn Hill or Park Avenue may need additional preservation board approval for exterior masonry changes. We've navigated those processes dozens of times. We handle the paperwork so you don't deal with City Hall.

Ask for their CSIA certification number and proof of general liability plus workers' compensation insurance — then verify both. Check that they're listed on the Chimney Safety Institute of America's "Find a Sweep" directory. Read recent Google reviews from actual Rochester-area customers, not generic testimonials. Anthony Perez and our team have 708 verified reviews averaging 4.7 stars because we've earned trust one home at a time. Anyone who hesitates to show credentials is a red flag.

We offer same-day response for chimney fires, carbon monoxide alarms, and sudden blockages during burn season — call (888) 399-5696 and we'll prioritize genuine emergencies. Our typical scheduling runs 3–5 days out in October through January, but we reserve daily capacity for urgent calls from Rochester, Irondequoit, Brighton, and Greece. If you're in Brockport, Hamlin, or Webster, same-day depends on routing but we always try. For suspected chimney fires, evacuate first, then call us.

Active chimney fires (loud cracking, dense smoke, hot exterior masonry), carbon monoxide detector alerts with suspected flue blockage, and sudden water pouring through the firebox during storms. In Rochester's March freeze-thaw cycles, we've seen crowns fail overnight and flood living rooms. Birds or raccoons trapped in flues also need immediate attention — the smell is unmistakable. If you're unsure whether it's urgent, call (888) 399-5696; we'll triage over the phone and dispatch if needed.

During off-season months (March–August), we typically book within 3–5 business days anywhere in Monroe County. September and October surge to 1–2 weeks out as Rochester homeowners prepare for heating season. We serve Irondequoit, Brighton, Greece, North Gates, Fairport, Hilton, Webster, Hamlin, Brockport, and East Rochester weekly, so your location rarely delays us. Pro tip: book in July or August for preferred fall slots.

We guarantee every sweep: if you experience a draft or odor issue we should have caught, we'll return at no charge within 30 days. Liners we install carry manufacturer warranties — 20 years for DuraFlex stainless systems, prorated coverage on Famco and Olympia components. Our masonry repairs include a 5-year workmanship warranty against water intrusion, critical in Rochester's punishing freeze-thaw environment. We stand behind our work because Anthony Perez built this business on repeat customers, not one-off calls.

We stop, show you video evidence, and explain your options before doing any additional work. No surprise charges, no pressure. If the flue is cracked or the crown is spalling — common in 1970s Greece and Gates-North Gates homes — we'll email a written repair estimate within 24 hours. You decide the timeline; we'll never claim a repair is "urgent" unless it genuinely threatens safety. Our 4.7-star average comes from honest assessments, not upsells.

Chimney damage from sudden events — chimney fires, lightning strikes, fallen trees — is typically covered. Routine maintenance like sweeping is your responsibility, which is why we keep our pricing transparent. We document everything with photos and written reports, which helps if you later file a claim for discovered damage. We've worked directly with Rochester-area adjusters from Allstate, State Farm, and Liberty Mutual to clarify cause-and-effect for claims. Ask us if you need documentation support.

Written by Anthony Perez, Owner at Premier Chimney Cleaning Greater Rochester, serving Rochester, Irondequoit, Brighton, Greece, and surrounding communities since 2004.