Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repair
Gas fireplace serviceLevel 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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AfterAnnual Sweep in San Antonio, TX
An annual chimney sweep in San Antonio typically costs between $189 and $329, takes 45 to 90 minutes, and should be booked once a year if you burn wood fires more than twice a month during the cooler months. Most San Antonio homeowners schedule their sweep between September and November, before the first cold snap pushes fireplaces back into regular rotation. We answer the phone live at (254) 276-4116 and we’ll tell you the price before anyone shows up at your door.
Hadley Chimney San Antonio has handled annual sweeps across Bexar County since 2003. This page covers what an annual sweep actually involves, when you need one, what it costs in San Antonio right now, and how our process works from booking to the photo report you get when we’re done. If you want the broader picture on our Chimney Cleaning & Sweep in San Antonio services, that page covers inspections, repairs, and the full range of what we do.
An annual sweep is exactly what it sounds like: a professional cleaning of your chimney flue, smoke chamber, damper, and firebox, done once a year. The point is to remove creosote, the flammable tar buildup that forms when wood smoke cools and condenses inside the flue. Left alone, creosote can ignite and cause a chimney fire. A sweep removes it before it reaches dangerous levels. That’s the whole job, and it’s one of the most important maintenance tasks a San Antonio homeowner with a working fireplace can do.
When You Need Annual Sweep
Not every home needs a sweep every single year. But if any of the following describe your situation, you’re due:
- You burn wood fires regularly from November through February. San Antonio winters are short but real, and a fireplace that gets used two or three nights a week for four months builds creosote fast. If this is you, book once a year, no exceptions.
- You smell smoke in the house even when the damper is open. That’s often a sign of restricted airflow, which usually means creosote or debris is narrowing the flue. A sweep restores proper draft.
- Soot or black flakes are falling into the firebox. This means creosote has built up on the flue walls and is flaking off. In homes around Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills where fireplaces get heavy seasonal use, this is one of the most common calls we get each fall.
- It’s been 12 months or more since your last sweep. Even if you only burn occasional fires, a yearly inspection-and-sweep catches problems like cracked flue tiles, animal nests, or damaged caps before they become expensive repairs.
- You just bought a home with a fireplace. You have no idea what the previous owner burned, how often, or when the chimney was last touched. A sweep gives you a clean baseline, and the photo documentation from our visit tells you exactly what condition the flue is in.
- You hear animals or birds in the chimney. San Antonio has a healthy population of squirrels, raccoons, and chimney swifts. Nests and dead animals block airflow and create serious fire hazards. A sweep clears them out and we’ll recommend a cap if yours is missing.
Our Annual Sweep Process
Here’s what happens when you book an annual sweep with Hadley Chimney San Antonio, from the first call to the final photo:
- You call, a human answers. 24/7, no voicemail loop. You’ll reach a real person at (254) 276-4116 who can schedule your sweep and answer basic questions on the spot.
- You get a tracked arrival window. Our techs arrive in a live-tracked window, not a four-hour guess. You’ll see who’s coming and when, the same way you’d track a rideshare.
- The tech inspects before touching anything. We check the flue, damper, smoke chamber, firebox, and exterior chimney cap before we start. If we find something that changes the scope, you hear about it with photos and a written price before any additional work is approved.
- The sweep happens. We use professional rotary brushes and HEPA-filtered vacuums to remove creosote, soot, and debris from the flue liner, smoke shelf, damper, and firebox. Your floors stay clean and the air in your house stays breathable.
- You get before-and-after photo documentation. The same phone you used to book the appointment gets photos of what we found and what your chimney looks like after the sweep. This is The Relay Visibility Guarantee at work, and we do it on every job, not just the big ones.
- You pay from a digital invoice. The price we quoted before work started is the price on the invoice. You’ll get a link, you pay from your phone, and the receipt is in your email. No surprises, no clipboard math at the door.
Annual Sweep Pricing in San Antonio
Here’s the honest cost range for an annual sweep in San Antonio, based on what we see across Bexar County:
| Service | Typical Range in San Antonio |
|---|---|
| Standard annual sweep (single flue, no complications) | $189 – $249 |
| Sweep with minor repairs (damper adjustment, cap tightening) | $249 – $329 |
| Sweep with significant creosote buildup (glazed or stage 3) | $279 – $369 |
| Sweep plus animal nest removal | $249 – $329 |
| Multi-flue home (two fireplaces or fireplace + furnace flue) | $329 – $449 |
What moves the price? First, the amount of creosote and its condition. Light, powdery creosote comes out quickly. Glazed creosote, the hard, shiny, tar-like form that builds up when fires burn at low temperatures, takes longer and costs more to remove properly. Second, accessibility. A single-story home in Stone Oak with a standard roof pitch is a fast job. A steep roof in King William with limited chimney access takes more time and care. Third, the condition of what we find. If your chimney cap is missing or the damper is seized, we’ll show you photos and give you a written price before touching anything else.
Every quote is free and every price is given in writing before work starts. No hidden charges, no upsell pressure at the door. Call (254) 276-4116 and we’ll walk through what to expect for your specific fireplace.
FAQs – Annual Sweep
How much does an annual chimney sweep cost in San Antonio?
In San Antonio, an annual chimney sweep typically runs between $189 and $329 for a single-flue home, with multi-flue homes ranging from $329 to $449. The exact price depends on creosote level, roof access, and what we find during the pre-sweep inspection. Call (254) 276-4116 for a free estimate, and the price we quote is the price you’ll pay.
Can you fix damage found during the annual sweep the same day?
Yes, we can address many issues on the same visit, including cap replacement, minor damper repairs, and flue maintenance. If the repair is bigger, like a liner replacement with DuraFlex or a smoke chamber repair with HeatShield, we’ll schedule a follow-up and you’ll get a written price before any work begins. Every repair we make includes a written guarantee and a free second visit if it fails within 365 days.
How often should I have my chimney swept in San Antonio?
For most San Antonio homeowners who burn wood fires during the cooler months, once a year is the right cadence. If you burn more than twice a week during winter, or if you burn unseasoned wood, you may need a mid-season sweep as well. The National Fire Protection Association recommends a sweep whenever creosote reaches 1/8 inch in thickness, and a yearly appointment is the simplest way to stay ahead of that.
Do I need an annual sweep if I have a gas fireplace?
Gas fireplaces produce little to no creosote, so they do not need an annual sweep the way wood-burning fireplaces do. However, gas fireplaces should still be inspected annually for vent blockages, carbon monoxide risks, and burner condition. We handle gas fireplace inspection and repair as part of our broader service range, and we work with Famco and Copperfield components when replacements are needed.
Written by Cory Mitchell, Owner at Hadley Chimney San Antonio, serving San Antonio.