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.
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After
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AfterChimney Company in Burien, WA
Chimney work in Burien is shaped by what was built here between 1945 and 1970: thousands of ranch and split-level homes with original masonry chimneys now 60 to 80 years old. Add Puget Sound moisture working into that brick year-round, plus long burn seasons with partially seasoned wood, and you get creosote buildup and mortar decay faster than homeowners expect. If you’re in Burien and haven’t had a chimney looked at recently, call us at (336) 863-3889. We’ll give you a straight answer, a written price, and the technician’s name and photo before anyone shows up.
Why Burien Homes Are Different
Burien grew fast after WWII as Boeing workers moved south of Seattle, and the housing stock still reflects that. Most chimneys around here sit on mid-century ranches and split-levels with unlined or clay-tile flues that were never upgraded. In Seahurst, where homes sit directly on the Sound, we routinely open up 1950s brick chimneys with no cap, rotted original flashing, and clay tiles cracked from decades of marine air. The owner usually tells us they thought the staining was “just old brick” rather than active moisture damage.
The climate compounds it. Burien’s long gray winters keep relative humidity high, and salt-tinged moisture from the Sound works into porous brick and mortar over time. Firewood in the Pacific Northwest is often only partially seasoned, so Burien fireplaces produce above-average creosote, which is the tar-like, flammable residue that causes chimney fires. These two things, wet exteriors and heavy creosote interiors, mean an annual inspection here is genuinely preventive, not a formality.
Our Main Burien Services
Most Burien homeowners call us for one of three reasons. Below is how each service works here, with a link to its detailed Burien page.
Chimney Sweep in Burien
A standard sweep in Burien removes creosote and soot from the flue and smoke chamber using professional rotary brushes, then we inspect the firebox and damper. We bag debris as we work, so your living room stays clean. Because Burn season in Burien runs heavy from October through March, the creosote layers we encounter here are often thicker than what sweepers find inland. We finish with a written report of what we removed and what we saw. See full details on our Chimney Sweep in Burien page.
Chimney Inspection in Burien
An inspection here is a camera run through the flue, not a glance with a flashlight. We document cracked clay tiles, missing mortar joints, rusted dampers, and water intrusion points. For Burien’s aging ranches and split-levels, this matters because original flue tiles are often past their useful life without showing visible signs from the outside. We give you photo evidence of anything we recommend. You’ll see it yourself before you spend a dollar on repairs. Our complete process is on the Chimney Inspection in Burien page.
Gas Fireplace Repair in Burien
When a gas fireplace won’t light, short-cycles, or throws a weak flame, we diagnose the pilot assembly, thermopile, gas valve, or control board. Burien’s damp winters make contact corrosion in control components more common than in drier cities, which means intermittent issues often worsen just as you need the heat. We carry professional parts for most major brands and test every repair before we leave. If a repair fails within our guarantee period, the second visit is free. Details are on our Gas Fireplace Repair in Burien page.
What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
- 3
A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
- 4
You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
Brands We Service in Burien
We install and service HeatShield resurfacing systems, Olympia Chimney components, and Famco parts. When we recommend a liner repair or firebox resurfacing, these are the trade-specified materials we use, not box-store substitutes. See our brands for more on what we carry and why we chose them.
Pricing for Chimney Company in Burien, WA
| Service | Typical range in Burien |
|---|---|
| Standard chimney sweep (open fireplace) | $189 – $329 |
| Chimney sweep with heavy creosote (Level 2 buildup) | $329 – $449 |
| Wood-burning stove or insert sweep | $229 – $389 |
| Prefab/factory-built fireplace sweep | $229 – $389 |
| Level 1 chimney inspection | $129 – $229 |
| Level 2 chimney inspection (camera scan) | $249 – $449 |
| Gas fireplace service call + diagnostic | $89 – $129 |
| Gas valve replacement | $249 – $549 |
| Thermopile, thermocouple, or pilot assembly replacement | $189 – $389 |
| Fireplace log set replacement | $229 – $549 |
Two things push cost up in Burien: heavy creosote from burning partially seasoned wood all winter, and water-damaged flue tiles that the camera reveals during an inspection. Either way, you get a written price before any work starts. Nothing gets added at the end.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Burien
We work across Burien from the waterfront up through the eastern residential grids, and most jobs fit into a one-day window once we’re on site. You’ll see a representative set of neighborhoods below; if yours isn’t listed, call and ask.
- Seahurst
- Gregory Heights
- Boulevard Park
- Lake Burien
- Ambaum
Service Area – Cities Near Burien
Our Burien crews take work all around the metro when the calendar allows. If you’re just outside Burien, we may already cover your street. We also serve Seattle, WA, Spokane, WA, Tacoma, WA, and Vancouver, WA. Call (336) 863-3889 and we’ll tell you straight whether we can get to you.
Serving Burien, WA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Burien area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About Chimney Company in Burien
Most Burien addresses can be scheduled within a few days, sometimes sooner depending on the season. Fall and early winter fill up fastest because burn season starts and everyone wants a sweep at the same time. Call (336) 863-3889 and we’ll give you the next real opening, not a vague window.
Routine sweeping and inspection don’t require a permit. Structural repairs like a full rebuild or a liner replacement may, depending on scope. We’ll tell you during the estimate whether your job falls into that category, and we can point you to the right city office in Burien if it does.
We serve all of Burien, including the waterfront streets in Seahurst where ladder access is tight and the flue conditions are the worst. Our technicians are background-checked, identity-verified, and sent to you by name and photo before the appointment, in Burien no matter the neighborhood.
Call Alcott Chimney Sweep at (336) 863-3889 for a free estimate. You’ll get a real person on the phone, a written price before work begins, and a name and photo of the technician who’s coming to your door.
What happens when you call
- 1A real person answersNo phone trees - talk to a local chimney cleaning pro.
- 2You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched. No surprises.
- 3We come out and measureLicensed & insured, at a time that suits you - the visit and the quote are both free.
- 4You get the price in writingLine-itemed, yours to keep, and nothing starts until you say go.
What Burien Customers Say
"Very respectful of my home. Took off his boots and wiped the hearth when finished."
- Carol D."Annual inspection and sweep. He used a camera to check the liner and found a cracked tile I had no idea about. Gave me a written estimate and did not push."
- Janet W."Water was leaking around the flashing. They resealed it and installed a new crown coating. Dry through two heavy rains since."
- Douglas P.