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 Company in Seattle, WA
Chimney work in Seattle is shaped by two things: old masonry and wet air. Most of the city’s chimneys sit on Craftsman bungalows and foursquares built between 1900 and 1940, and those brick flues have spent a century absorbing Pacific Northwest rain. That combination means sweeping here almost always comes with a conversation about masonry condition and water damage. Alcott Chimney Sweep handles all three of the core jobs Seattle homeowners call about: sweeping, inspection, and gas fireplace repair. Call (336) 863-3889 and a live person answers.
Why Seattle Homes Are Different
Seattle’s 7-month heating season, roughly September through May, is cool and damp rather than bitterly cold. That changes how people burn. Instead of short, roaring fires with strong draft, Seattle homeowners tend to run long, low, smoldering fires to take the chill off a wet evening. Low-temperature fires are exactly what produce the heaviest creosote, the tar-like residue that causes chimney fires. The flue never gets hot enough to burn the creosote off, so it glazes onto the flue walls and builds faster than in drier, colder cities.
Add the masonry issue on top of that. In Ballard, Capitol Hill, Fremont, and Beacon Hill, most chimneys are original clay-tile-lined brick from the early 1900s. Seattle averages over 150 rainy days a year, and brick that stays damp for months at a time spalls and cracks faster than it would in a dry climate. Cracked mortar joints and deteriorated liner sections are standard findings here, not exceptions. Sweeping reveals the problem; repair is what actually solves it.
There is also a regulatory layer most other cities don’t have. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency issues mandatory no-burn days during winter temperature inversions, and burning on those days can bring a fine. We’ll tell you straight whether your fireplace or insert is compliant and what your options are.
Our Main Seattle Services
Most Seattle calls to our home office start with one of three needs: a chimney that hasn’t been swept in years, an inspection before buying or selling a house, or a gas fireplace that won’t light. Each has its own page with full details.
Chimney Sweep in Seattle
Seattle’s burn pattern produces glazed, third-degree creosote more reliably than almost any West Coast climate. Our sweep removes it with rotary tools sized to your flue, then we show you what came out and what the flue walls look like afterward. Because so many Seattle chimneys are unlined or have failing clay tiles, it’s common for a sweep to become a relining conversation. You’ll get a written price before any repair work is discussed. Full details on Chimney Sweep in Seattle.
Chimney Inspection in Seattle
Older Seattle homes change hands constantly, and an inspection is the only way to know whether the chimney you’re buying is safe to burn. We use a camera to look inside the flue and photograph every finding, so you’re not taking anyone’s word on a liner crack or water intrusion. In a damp climate like this one, water damage is the most common finding, followed by creosote buildup and missing caps. You’ll see the photos yourself. Full details on Chimney Inspection in Seattle.
Gas Fireplace Repair in Seattle
Seattle homes lean heavily on gas fireplaces as backup heat during winter outages and no-burn days. When a gas fireplace won’t light, produces a weak flame, or shuts off unexpectedly, we diagnose the ignition, thermocouple, valve, and venting. Many gas fireplace issues in Seattle trace back to moisture in exterior vent runs or spiders in the burner orifice. Repairs come with a written guarantee. Full details on Gas Fireplace Repair in Seattle.
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 Seattle
We install and service the trade brands chimney professionals actually specify: HeatShield resurfacing for deteriorated flues, Gelco liners, Olympia Chimney caps and dampers, and Famco venting components. These aren’t box-store substitutes. Most common parts are stocked locally, which keeps turnaround short on typical Seattle repairs. See the full list on our brands page.
Pricing for Chimney Company in Seattle, WA
These are the ranges we quote for standalone jobs in the Seattle metro. Repairs recommended after an inspection are priced separately, always in writing before work begins.
| Service | Typical range in Seattle |
|---|---|
| Standard chimney sweep (open fireplace, Level 1) | $200 – $350 |
| Chimney sweep with glazed creosote removal | $350 – $600 |
| Chimney inspection (Level 1, visual) | $100 – $250 |
| Chimney inspection (Level 2, camera inspection) | $250 – $500 |
| Chimney inspection package with sweep | $300 – $550 |
| Chimney cap installation | $250 – $500 |
| Chimney crown repair | $400 – $800 |
| Flue liner repair (sectional) | $500 – $1,200 |
| Full chimney relining | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| Gas fireplace diagnostic visit | $100 – $200 |
| Gas fireplace pilot assembly replacement | $250 – $450 |
| Gas fireplace thermocouple replacement | $200 – $400 |
Seattle prices run slightly above the national average for two reasons: the age of the housing stock means more corrective work is needed on a typical job, and wet-season scheduling compression from September through March concentrates demand. Every Alcott job starts with a written price, so nothing gets added at the end without your signature first.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Seattle
We work throughout Seattle proper, from the brick-lined streets of Ballard to the hillside homes of West Seattle and everywhere between. Most Seattle jobs can be scheduled within a week during the fall and winter; summer is typically faster.
- Ballard
- Capitol Hill
- Fremont
- Beacon Hill
- West Seattle
Service Area – Cities Near Seattle
Beyond Seattle itself, our crews cover the Eastside and nearby island communities. We regularly work across Medina, WA, Bellevue, WA, Mercer Island, WA, and Kirkland, WA. If you’re on the edge of the metro and unsure whether we reach you, call and ask, a live person will have the answer immediately.
Serving Seattle, WA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Seattle 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 Seattle
Most Seattle sweeps can be scheduled within 5 to 10 business days, with more flexibility in summer than in the September-through-March rush. If you’ve been burning heavily or you’re buying a home, call (336) 863-3889 and we’ll find the earliest slot that works for your schedule.
Routine sweeping and inspection require no permit. Structural repairs like full relining or crown replacement may require a Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections permit depending on scope. We’ll tell you what your specific job requires before anything is scheduled, so there are no surprises.
Yes. Every Alcott Chimney Sweep technician is background-checked and identity-verified under the Threshold Standard, and you’ll receive their name and photo before the visit. They’ll show a photo ID at the door, every time, no exceptions. That’s not an upgrade; it’s how every Seattle job works.
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 Seattle Customers Say
"Good chimney cleaning. They found a small gap in the mortar and quoted the repair, which was a bit more than I wanted to spend. Did the sweep and left the repair for later without any pressure."
- Stuart L."Left no soot anywhere. Even brought a vacuum with a sealed filter. I'd use them again every fall."
- Beth H."Gas fireplace pilot kept going out. Cleaned the burner, replaced the thermocouple, and explained what failed. Works first try now."
- Alicia R.