Chimney Service · DeKalb, IL
Chimney Sweeping in DeKalb, IL
A yearly sweep clears the creosote and soot that fuel chimney fires. We clean to NFPA 211 standards — drop cloths down, HEPA vacuum running, no soot in your living room.
A professional chimney sweep removes creosote, soot and debris from the flue and firebox so smoke drafts freely and your fireplace burns safely. For a wood-burning fireplace used through an Illinois winter, that means an annual cleaning — creosote is highly combustible, and it only takes a thin glaze to start a chimney fire. Imperial Chimney Sweepers has kept DeKalb-area hearths clean since 1987, and every sweep is done to NFPA 211 standards with the mess contained.
What a professional sweep includes
We arrive, lay drop cloths, and set up a HEPA vacuum at the firebox to keep dust out of your home. Using rotary brushes and rods sized to your flue, we clear creosote and soot from the smoke chamber, flue and firebox, then check the damper and cap while we are up there. You get a clear picture of what we found and whether anything needs attention — no pressure, no invented repairs.
Why creosote matters
Creosote is the tar-like residue wood smoke leaves behind as it cools inside the flue. It builds in three stages, and by stage three it hardens into a glaze that is difficult to remove and dangerous to ignore. The National Fire Protection Association ties thousands of home heating fires each year to creosote buildup and blocked chimneys. An annual sweep keeps it from ever reaching that point.
How often should you sweep?
Once a year is the working rule for a fireplace or wood stove in regular use — ideally before burning season starts in the fall. If you burn several cords a winter, burn unseasoned wood, or notice a strong campfire smell and poor draft, have it looked at sooner.
The Imperial difference
Chuck Lee has run this crew since 1987, and we still send our own technicians on every call — no subcontractors, no call center. We inspect before we sweep, so you know the real condition of your chimney and only pay for what it actually needs.
A professional sweep, step by step
Understanding what actually happens during a sweep makes it easy to see why it matters. We start by protecting your home — drop cloths over the hearth and a HEPA vacuum set at the firebox to capture dust as we work. Next comes a video inspection of the flue, so we know its condition and how much buildup we are dealing with before a single brush goes in. Then we clean: rotary brushes and rods sized to your exact flue clear creosote and soot from the smoke chamber, flue liner and firebox, working the buildup down where the vacuum collects it. Finally we check the damper, smoke shelf and cap, and walk you through what we found. Start to finish, a standard single-flue sweep runs about 45 minutes to an hour.
Why DIY chimney sweeping falls short
The hardware-store brush-and-rod kits look simple, and for a light dusting of stage-one soot they can move some material around. But they miss what matters. Without a camera, you cannot see the cracked flue tile, the glazed creosote, or the nesting debris higher up. Without the right brush size and stiffness, you leave the hardened buildup that actually causes chimney fires. And climbing onto a roof to reach the cap is genuinely dangerous. Most importantly, a DIY pass gives you no inspection — no honest read on whether the chimney is safe to use. The value of a professional sweep is as much in the trained eyes as in the brushes.
What we look at while we’re there
A sweep is also the best time for a set of trained eyes on the whole system. While we have the chimney open, we note the condition of the crown and cap, check the flashing at the roofline for early signs of a leak, look for spalling brick and failing mortar joints, confirm the damper opens and seals, and scan the flue for cracked tiles or liner gaps. None of that adds cost — it is simply part of doing the job right, and it is how we catch a small problem in September instead of a big one in January.
Serving DeKalb County and beyond
Imperial Chimney Sweepers is based at 1600 E Lincoln Hwy in DeKalb and covers 20-plus surrounding towns — from Sycamore and Cortland to Sandwich, Genoa and Rochelle. See our full service area or explore related work: Chimney Inspection Chimney Repair Caps & Crowns.
Insured & Bonded. Every job is done to NFPA 211 standards by the crew whose name is on the truck. Call (815) 449-4265 for a quote.
Good to Know
Frequently asked questions
How often should I have my chimney swept?
For a wood-burning fireplace in regular use, once a year is the standard — usually before the burning season. Heavy burners or anyone burning unseasoned wood may need it more often.
How long does a chimney sweep take?
A standard single-flue sweep and visual check takes about 45 minutes to an hour. More buildup, multiple flues or hard-to-reach caps can add time.
Will sweeping make a mess in my house?
No. We put down drop cloths and run a HEPA vacuum at the firebox the whole time, so the soot stays in the chimney and the vacuum, not on your floors.
Does a gas fireplace need sweeping?
Gas appliances produce far less creosote, but the venting still needs a yearly check for blockages, corrosion and debris. See our gas fireplace tune-ups.
What is creosote and why is it dangerous?
Creosote is the flammable residue wood smoke leaves in the flue as it cools. Enough of it can ignite into a chimney fire, so removing it every year is the core of chimney safety.
When is the best time of year to sweep?
Late summer through early fall is ideal — you go into winter with a clean, safe flue and beat the peak-season rush.
Do you inspect the chimney when you sweep?
Yes. Every visit begins with a camera inspection so we know the flue’s condition before we clean, and we flag anything that needs repair.
Are you insured?
Imperial Chimney Sweepers is fully insured and bonded, and we work to NFPA 211 standards on every job.
Book your annual chimney sweep
Talk to Chuck’s crew directly — 7 days a week, 7am to 9pm.