Chimney Sweeping in Long Branch, NJ

Safe Chimneys, Protected Families

Professional chimney sweeping that prevents fires and keeps your Long Branch home safe. Triple-certified experts with 40+ years of experience you can trust.

A man with soot on his face uses a long-handled brush to clean the inside of a fireplace. He wears a black cap and dark clothing, focusing intently on his task—much like professionals who provide air duct services New Jersey trusts.

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Professional Chimney Sweeping Long Branch

Clean Chimneys That Actually Work

Your chimney works harder than you think. Every fire leaves behind creosote—a highly flammable substance that builds up in your flue. Our chimney services include cleaning the hearth of your fireplace to reduce the buildup of creosote, an extremely combustible substance which can cause chimney fires. When we clean your chimney, we remove this dangerous buildup completely.

You get better airflow, stronger fires, and most importantly—a chimney that won’t catch fire. It is essential to have your chimney flue cleaned routinely, because buildup from smoke and ash can cause chimney fires which can damage not only your chimney, but potentially other parts of your home as well. That’s what professional chimney sweeping actually delivers: peace of mind that your family is protected.

Your fireplace becomes more efficient too. Clean chimneys draft better, burn cleaner, and heat your home more effectively. No more smoky rooms or weak fires that barely warm the space.

Certified Chimney Sweep Contractors Long Branch

Triple-Certified. Four Decades Strong.

Apex Air Duct Cleaning & Chimney Services is the only New Jersey company with triple certification: CSIA, NFI, and NADCA. Thomas Asciolla Sr. holds the ASCS certification, combining chimney safety expertise with fireplace knowledge and air duct standards. That’s rare in this industry.

We’ve been serving Long Branch families for over 40 years. Three generations of experience, three locations across New Jersey, and one commitment: keeping your home safe. It is very important that you find a professional you can trust, and at Apex Air Duct Cleaning and Chimney Services, we are dedicated to trust and honesty when it comes to our Monmouth clients.

Long Branch homeowners deal with coastal weather that’s tough on chimneys. Salt air, moisture, and temperature swings create unique challenges. We understand these local conditions and know exactly how to protect your chimney system year-round.

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Chimney Sweep Inspection Process

How We Clean Your Chimney Right

First, we inspect your entire chimney system. During the inspection, a certified chimney sweep will visually inspect all accessible portions of the interior and exterior of the chimney. This also includes examining the masonry for signs of water damage as well as checking the flue for potential creosote buildup. We look for damage, blockages, and safety issues before we start cleaning.

Next, we protect your home. Drop cloths, plastic sheeting, and proper ventilation ensure your furniture and floors stay clean. Our equipment is designed to contain dust and debris—not spread it around your house.

Then we sweep the chimney from top to bottom. Professional brushes, vacuums, and tools remove all creosote, soot, and debris. We can also give you further tips about how to prevent creosote buildup, such as what type of wood to burn and other products that will ameliorate the problem. We also check and clean your damper, smoke chamber, and firebox.

Finally, we inspect everything again and give you a detailed report. You’ll know exactly what we found, what we cleaned, and what (if anything) needs attention down the road.

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Fireplace Chimney Sweeping Services

Complete Chimney Care, Not Just Cleaning

Professional chimney sweeping includes more than just removing soot. We inspect your chimney cap, crown, and flashing for damage. Furthermore, we can repair and replace the refractory panels of your fireplace. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, when you can fit a dime into the cracks of the panels of your fireplace, it is time to replace them.

Long Branch’s coastal location means your chimney faces unique challenges. Salt air accelerates metal corrosion, while moisture can damage masonry and mortar joints. We check for these specific issues during every service call.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends having your chimney inspected at least once a year, but daily use and other factors might mean you need more regular service. Heavy users might need cleaning twice yearly, while occasional users can usually go annual. We’ll recommend the right schedule based on your actual usage patterns.

Our service includes bird nest removal, minor repairs, and safety recommendations. If we find larger issues, we’ll explain exactly what needs fixing and why—no pressure, just honest advice from professionals who’ve seen it all.

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How often should I have my chimney swept in Long Branch, NJ?

According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), a chimney should be cleaned at least once a year. More often is recommended if it’s used on a frequent basis. If you use your fireplace regularly throughout the winter, you might need cleaning twice yearly.According to industry standards, a chimney sweep is recommended if more than 1/8 of an inch of soot or creosote has built up in the chimney or flue. Some fireplace experts suggest having your chimney cleaned, regardless of buildup, after every 1-2 cords of wood burned. Long Branch’s coastal climate can accelerate deterioration, so annual inspection is especially important here.The key is regular inspection. Even if you don’t use your fireplace much, animals, weather, and time can create safety issues. Annual professional inspection catches problems before they become expensive repairs.
A CSIA certification is a nationally recognized credential that entails a chimney sweep’s extensive knowledge, training, and education on chimney maintenance and venting systems. CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certification is the gold standard in the industry.Hiring a CSIA certified chimney sweep means having a professional examine your chimney who knows and understands the most updated codes and standards, and is able to detect and prevent chimney hazards to better protect you and your family. At Apex, we go beyond CSIA with triple certification: CSIA, NFI (National Fireplace Institute), and NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association).In order to obtain a CSIA certification, chimney sweeps must study three main pieces of literature central to the education of the chimney industry and profession: Successful Chimney Sweeping, the NFPA 211, and the International Residential Code (IRC). This comprehensive education ensures your chimney sweep understands both safety and building codes.
The national average chimney sweep cost is $100 to $130. However, the average cost for a professional chimney cleaning is around $250, but prices range from $130 to $400 or more, depending on a few factors. Some things that have an impact on your total include the size of your chimney, the number of chimneys cleaned, and how accessible the chimneys are.Here are several reasons your chimney sweep cost may be higher than the national average: Overly dirty chimney: If you haven’t cleaned your chimney in many years, or if you’ve just bought an older home and don’t know how long it has been since the chimney was cleaned, excessive grime could increase the cost of the job. Roof height or chimney height: We may also charge an extra fee if your roof is too high for a ladder to reach or is too steep to safely climb on without a harness.At Apex, we provide free estimates with no hidden fees. The price we quote includes everything: inspection, cleaning, basic repairs, and a detailed report. No surprises, no upselling—just honest pricing for professional service.
Failure to clean a chimney will not only impact the quality of the fires in your fireplace (they won’t burn as strongly and warmly) but can also increase the risk of serious issues. These could include the chimney cap catching fire causing a chimney fire and house fire, as well as carbon monoxide exposure.From soot to creosote buildup, a dirty chimney, stove, furnace or boiler can cause fires, which may lead to devastating structural damage or worse! Old chimney liners can also cause carbon monoxide buildup that can cause illness or even death. Creosote is highly flammable and builds up with every fire you burn.Air ducts are slightly more complex: they are responsible for the circulation and filtering of the air in your home. Therefore, dirty air ducts can cause poor air quality in your home and affect the health of your family. Poor chimney maintenance also affects your home’s air quality and can lead to expensive structural repairs when water damage occurs.
While it’s possible to sweep your own chimney, it’s usually not a good idea for two reasons. First, inexperienced DIYers are more likely to miss areas of the chimney, which still leaves the risk of house fire due to the remaining residue. Professional chimney sweeps have the tools, training, and experience to do the job safely and thoroughly.Furthermore, if you think your chimney crown or cap might need to be cleaned, it is a good idea to hire a professional who can accomplish the job safely. The crown and cap are both exterior pieces of the chimney which are located on the roof of your home, so it might be safer to hire a professional. Roof work is dangerous, and chimney cleaning requires specialized equipment.Professional chimney sweeps also know what to look for during inspection. A Level 1 chimney inspection is the most basic – and most commonly needed – type of chimney inspection. Level 1 inspections are recommended for homes when the fireplace is not experiencing any issues and has not changed in any way or been damaged. We can spot problems you might miss, preventing expensive repairs later.
In some cases, you don’t need to do anything to prepare for chimney sweeping, but we always appreciate leaving the area clean and easy to access. As such, it’s a good idea to move fireplace accessories like screens and fire tending tools out of the way, and lay down tarps or drop cloths around your fireplace opening to help keep your floors clean.Clear the area around your fireplace and remove any decorative items, furniture, or rugs that might get in the way. Make sure we have easy access to your roof—move cars, outdoor furniture, or anything that might block ladder placement. If you have pets, plan to keep them in a separate room during the service.We bring our own drop cloths and protective equipment, but removing valuable items from the immediate area is always smart. The process can be messy despite our precautions. Also, please ensure someone over 18 is home during the appointment—we’ll need to explain our findings and any recommendations for your specific chimney system.