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 Waldorf, MD
You can read about chimney sweeping all day, but nothing lands like seeing it. The before photo shows what’s actually happening inside your flue. The after photo shows what a proper job looks like when the right brush, the right technique, and 29 years of knowing what to look for come together. Here’s the proof, straight from Waldorf chimneys we’ve worked on.
Recent Transformations
First-Degree Creosote Removal in St. Charles
The homeowner in St. Charles had skipped two seasons, figuring a new build didn’t need it yet. It did. We found a solid layer of first-degree creosote flaking off the tile, which is exactly the kind that catches a spark and turns into a chimney fire. Wendell and his crew brushed the full length of the flue, vacuumed every bit of debris, and ran the camera down to confirm nothing was left. The homeowner got the footage and saw the difference for himself.
Third-Degree Glaze Removal in White Plains
This one came from a White Plains home where they’d been burning green wood and running the fire low. Third-degree creosote is a glaze. It does not brush out with standard equipment, and any sweep who tells you otherwise is not telling you the truth. We used a chemical treatment to break down the tar, then went back through with mechanical cleaners. It took longer than a standard sweep, but the after photo tells the story. The flue breathes again.
Chimney Cap Replacement in La Plata
A La Plata homeowner called because they heard scratching in the chimney. We found the cap rusted through, mesh gone, and a squirrel making itself at home in the flue. The repair was straightforward: remove the old cap, clean out the nesting material, and install a new stainless cap from Olympia Chimney. We also swept the flue while we were up there because the nest debris had left a mess. Now the only thing going down that chimney is smoke.
Smoky Fireplace Fix in Waldorf
This Waldorf family had given up on using their fireplace because every fire filled the living room with smoke. The culprit was a partial blockage about eight feet up, a mix of creosote and an old bird’s nest. We swept the entire flue, removed the blockage, and ran the camera to confirm clear passage. They called a week later to say they’d burned three fires without a single wisp of smoke in the room. That’s what a clean flue does.
HeatShield Liner Repair in Accokeek
The Accokeek homeowner called us for a standard sweep, but the camera inspection before we started told a different story. The clay tiles had cracked in several places, and gaps had opened between sections. This is exactly the kind of thing you cannot see without a camera, and it’s why we film every single inspection. We recommended a HeatShield liner rather than a full tear-out and rebuild, which saved the homeowner thousands. The after footage shows a smooth, sealed flue from top to bottom.
Want Results Like These?
Every chimney we work on gets the same treatment: a camera inspection, a plain-English explanation of what we saw, and upfront pricing before any work begins. Whether it’s a simple sweep or a full liner job, you’ll see the before and after with your own eyes. Call Wendell and his crew at (240) 358-4452. If it’s not done right, the 90-Day Done Right Promise means one call brings him back.
Written by Wendell Pike, Owner at Top Hat Chimney, serving Waldorf, MD since 1999.