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Stoves and insertsWood stove and fireplace insert flues: cleaning and repair
Wood stove insert chimney cleaning clears the soot and creosote from the narrow pipe behind a stove or insert. These flues run hotter and tighter than an open fireplace, and they need their own kind of sweep. Sterling cleans stove and insert flues, repairs stove pipe and metal chimney, and checks the liner behind your insert.
Open 7 days, 8am-8pm
Stove and open fireplace both need a sweep? Mention both when you call.
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- Open 7 days, 8am-8pm
- 10+ years
- Licensed, bonded & insured
- Same-week, evenings & weekends
Stove or insert: which flue is yours?
A freestanding stove sits on your floor and sends its smoke up a stove pipe, which then runs through the ceiling or into a masonry chimney. An insert sits inside an old fireplace opening and sends its smoke up a metal liner in the chimney. Both leave creosote on the flue walls, and both need a sweep that suits the setup.
If you are not sure which you have, describe it on the call. We work it out from your description before we arrive.
One visit, both flues
- Sweeping stove pipe and insert liners.
- Checking joints, screws and the connection at the stove.
- Repairing or replacing rusted pipe.
- Looking at the masonry chimney around it.
When is a stove flue due for a sweep?
Check it before every burning season and clean it whenever there is buildup. The more you burn, and the wetter the wood, the sooner creosote collects. The hard, shiny glaze that forms later is the stage that is hardest to remove and the most dangerous, so do not wait for it.
Dry wood and hotter fires stretch the time between wood stove sweeps.
Does a stove need a liner?
When it vents into an old masonry chimney, usually yes. A stove makes hot, fast smoke, and a liner sized to it keeps the smoke moving and away from cracked tile. The stove maker's instructions set the size, and a stove liner is fitted to match. Our chimney liner work covers the rest.
What does a stove pipe repair involve?
Stove pipe takes a beating. It is thin metal, it runs hot, and the joints loosen with use. We replace rusted sections, tighten and re-secure joints, and make sure the pipe sits the right distance from walls and ceiling. A metal chimney that is dented or loose at a joint gets the same attention. Rust streaks, a separated joint or a scorched wall are signs a metal chimney or stove pipe needs repair.
Can you sweep an insert flue?
Yes. We pick the way in that suits your model, from the top of the chimney or through the stove. The stove goes back as we found it, and we use drop cloths and an industrial vacuum on the hearth.
A stove or insert visit in four steps
Talk it through
You tell us what you burn and what the stove has been doing.
Look at the flue
We check the pipe or liner, the joints and the masonry, and use a camera when the job calls for it.
Clean it
We brush the flue, vacuum the soot and keep the room protected.
Go over what we saw
You see anything worn or loose, and we say what to fix first.
Can a stove and a fireplace share one visit?
Yes. Many homes have both. We look at the stove flue and the open fireplace on one appointment, so you do not book twice.
What changes the price?
Height, the type of pipe, how many bends it has and what we find all move it. The starting price for a sweep is on the services page, and a call gets you your exact price.
Stove and insert questions
Short answers first.
What does creosote on a stove pipe look like?
It starts as dry black soot, then thickens into flaky tar and can harden into a shiny glaze. Dark, sticky buildup means the flue is due now.
My stove smokes when I open the door. Why?
A dirty flue, a cold flue or a blocked cap can all cause it. Close the door, let the fire settle and call us. We look at the pipe and cap before anyone burns again.
Can burning wet wood hurt the flue?
Yes. Wet wood smolders, and the cooler smoke leaves more creosote on the pipe. Dry wood burns hotter and cleaner, and the flue stays cleaner longer.
Should the stove pipe wobble?
No. Loose joints let smoke and sparks out. If a section moves or has rusted through, stop using the stove and book a repair.
Do you work on metal chimneys that run up the outside of a house?
Yes. We sweep and repair them, including loose sections and worn caps. Describe the chimney and we tell you what the visit includes.
Stove and insert flues near these towns
We sweep stove and insert flues across the east metro, including these places.
- 01
Lake Elmo
Rural lots between Highway 36 and I-94.
- 02
Dellwood
Along Highway 96, with Pine Tree Apple Orchard nearby.
- 03
Grant
Highways 36 and 96, with the Gateway State Trail.
- 04
White Bear Township
Named for White Bear Lake, with I-35E and U.S. 61.
What goes with a stove flue visit?
A stove flue that has been through a hard season may need a chimney inspection. If you hear scratching in the chimney, see animal removal. If a chimney fire starts, get everyone out and call 911. For fire prevention basics, see the NFPA heating safety page. Should a carbon monoxide alarm sound, get outside and call 911.
Burning wood this winter? Get the flue ready.
Tell us whether you have a stove or an insert and when it was last cleaned. We will plan the visit.