Gas fireplace service
Sweep & inspection
Caps & crowns
Flue relining
Masonry repairLevel 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.
Styles & brands we work with
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterFireplace Cleaning in Jacksonville, FL
A fireplace cleaning in Jacksonville typically costs between $169 and $289 for a standard open-hearth wood-burning fireplace, including the firebox, smoke chamber, and damper area. The work usually takes 45 to 90 minutes and leaves your living room as clean as we found it. If you’re noticing a campfire smell when the AC kicks on, or gray dust settling on your mantle between burns, it’s time to call us at (904) 453-7823.
We’re Alcott Chimney Jacksonville, and as part of our full Chimney Cleaning & Sweep in Jacksonville service, we clean the fireplace itself, not just the flue. Ruben Castellano founded this company in 2002 on a simple idea: homeowners should know exactly what they’re paying and exactly who’s walking through the door. That’s still how we operate on every single job.
Most Jacksonville homes burn wood through the cooler months, and even gas fireplaces collect dust, pet hair, and the occasional palmetto bug. A dirty fireplace isn’t just an eyesore – it’s a source of odors that drift through the house every time the humidity climbs. Our team cleans the entire firebox, removes ash and soot buildup, and leaves your hearth ready for the next cold snap off the St. Johns.
When You Need Fireplace Cleaning
Fireplace buildup is sneaky. It accumulates over dozens of small fires, not one big one, and by the time you notice, there’s usually a quarter-inch of soot caked onto the firebrick. Here are the signs that tell us your fireplace is overdue:
- A campfire smell that lingers days after the last burn. Smoke residue trapped in the firebox absorbs moisture from Jacksonville’s humidity and releases odor, especially when your air conditioner cycles on and pulls air through the chimney cavity.
- Gray or black dust on the mantle, hearth, or nearby furniture. Fine soot particles work their way out of the firebox and settle on everything within a few feet. In Riverside and Avondale’s older brick bungalows, we see this constantly because the chimneys are prettier than they are tight.
- Visible flaky buildup on the firebrick walls. That’s creosote – the tar-like residue that forms when smoke condenses inside a cooler chimney. Stage 2 creosote looks like black cornflakes; it ignites at just a few hundred degrees.
- White, chalky residue on the firebox floor. This is often a sign of water intrusion through a cracked chimney cap or damaged flashing. Jacksonville’s afternoon thunderstorms test every flashing joint in Duval County, and a damp fireplace holds soot longer and smells worse.
- The damper is hard to open or close. Soot and creosote buildup around the damper plate is a direct consequence of overdue cleaning, and it makes an improperly sealed flue worse.
- It’s been more than 12 months since the last sweep. The National Fire Protection Association recommends a chimney inspection and sweep at least once a year. We clean fireplace interiors the same visit, so the whole system gets attention.
If any of these sound like your house, call (904) 453-7823. A live person answers day or night. We’ll schedule a visit, send you the technician’s name and photo before arrival, and have your fireplace clean before the weekend crowd at the Riverside Arts Market.
Our Fireplace Cleaning Process
We don’t do the one-brush-fits-all cleanup you’ll find from a discount sweep. Fireplace cleaning in Jacksonville means working with the specific materials in your hearth – brick, stone, cast iron, steel, or prefabricated refractory panels – and matching the right method to each surface. Here’s how it works:
- Pre-visit identity confirmation. Before the truck leaves our shop, you receive the technician’s name and photo. At the door, they show a photo ID badge. No exceptions. This is the Threshold Standard we’ve followed since 2002.
- Area protection. We lay drop cloths in front of the hearth and tape off the surrounding floor. A HEPA-filtered vacuum runs during the entire job, catching soot and ash the moment it’s disturbed.
- Cold-firebox ash and debris removal. If you’ve used the fireplace since the last sweep, we remove the ash mechanically – shovel and bucket, not a blower – so it doesn’t go airborne. Ash from Jacksonville’s oaks and pines can sit in the firebox for months absorbing moisture, and we don’t want that dust clouding your living room.
- Firebox wall and floor cleaning. We use masonry brushes and a HEPA vacuum to pull surface soot from the firebrick. For stubborn creosote staining, we use professional-grade cleaning solutions that break down the tar without soaking into the brick, then agitate and vacuum again. When resurfacing or repair is needed, we specify materials like HeatShield and Gelco – the same systems chimney professionals use, not caulk from the box store.
- Smoke chamber and damper cleaning. The smoke chamber is the transition zone above the firebox and below the flue, and it’s a common spot for Stage 1 creosote and soot ribbons. We brush and vacuum this area, then check the damper for proper operation and clearance.
- Final inspection and written summary. Before we pack up, the technician walks you through what was found, what was cleaned, and what you should know. If a repair is recommended, you get the recommendation in writing with a price. No surprises at the end.
You’ll know exactly what was done and what it cost before we leave. You’ll never get a “by the way” upsell after the fact.
Fireplace Cleaning Pricing in Jacksonville
We believe in telling you the price before we start. Not a range that widens once we see the flue. Not an hourly rate with a stopwatch running. A written amount, approved by you, before a single brush touches your hearth.
| Service | Typical Price Range | What It Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard fireplace cleaning (open hearth, wood-burning) | $169 – $229 | Full ash removal, firebox brushing, soot cleaning, damper check, smoke chamber sweep, HEPA vacuum cleanup |
| Gas fireplace cleaning (glass, logs, burner inspection) | $149 – $199 | Glass cleaning, decorative log dusting, burner cleaning, gas valve operation check |
| Fireplace cleaning + full chimney sweep (combined) | $249 – $329 | Fireplace cleaning plus full flue brush and creosote removal, cap check, exterior chimney inspection |
| Heavy creosote or Stage 3 removal | $289 – $389 | Chemical or mechanical creosote treatment to break down hardened glaze, then manual removal |
| HeatShield or refractory panel repair (if needed post-cleaning) | $400 – $1,200 | Written quote provided before work begins; actual cost depends on fireplace size and panel condition |
What affects the price the most is how long it’s been since the last cleaning and what type of fireplace you have. A gas fireplace in a newer Mandarin home with a sealed glass front cleans up quickly. A wood-burning hearth in an Ortega bungalow that’s been burning oak every winter for five years straight takes longer, especially if creosote has glazed onto the brick. Either way, you’ll get a written quote before we pick up a brush. Estimates are free, and the number we quote is the number you pay.
Home to Alcott Chimney Jacksonville, serving all of Duval County with fireplace cleaning, chimney sweeps, inspections, and gas fireplace repair. Our shop is independently owned and operated within the Threshold Group family of home-service companies, and every technician on our team is background-checked and identity-verified before they ever knock on a door in your neighborhood.
FAQs – Fireplace Cleaning
How much does fireplace cleaning cost in Jacksonville?
Fireplace cleaning in Jacksonville typically runs $169 to $289 for a standard wood-burning fireplace, while gas fireplaces run $149 to $199. The exact price depends on the condition of the firebox, how long it’s been since the last cleaning, and whether the smoke chamber needs attention. Call (904) 453-7823 for a free quote – we’ll give you a written price before any work starts.
How often should I have my fireplace cleaned in Jacksonville?
You should have your fireplace cleaned once a year, ideally in the fall before the first burn of the season. Even if you don’t burn often, Jacksonville’s humidity causes creosote to absorb moisture, which increases odor and accelerates mortar deterioration. Homes that burn more than twice per week through winter should consider two cleanings per season.
Can you clean my fireplace the same day I call?
In most cases we can get to you within 24 to 48 hours, and for urgent situations like a smoke smell filling the house or water in the firebox, we’ll work to get a technician out the same day. Call (904) 453-7823 and a live person answers, even at 11 p.m. when the smell is keeping everyone awake.
Do I need a fireplace cleaning if I have a gas fireplace?
Yes. Gas fireplaces collect dust, pet dander, and soot on the logs and glass, and the burner ports can clog over time, especially in Jacksonville’s humid months when dust sticks to everything. We inspect gas valve operation and clean the firebox with products approved for gas log sets. It’s a smaller job than a wood-burning cleanup, but it’s worth doing every 12 to 18 months.
Is fireplace cleaning included in a chimney sweep?
Yes, when you hire us for a full Chimney Cleaning & Sweep in Jacksonville, the fireplace firebox is cleaned as part of that service. If you need only the firebox cleaned without a flue sweep – say, for a decorative fireplace or a gas unit – we can price that as a standalone service.
What brands of repair materials do you use on fireplaces?
For fireplace repair and resurfacing work, we install and service professional-grade materials including HeatShield, Gelco, and Olympia Chimney products. These are the same systems chimney professionals specify, not improvised substitutes, and they come with our written guarantee on every repair.
Why should I choose Alcott Chimney Jacksonville over other chimney companies?
We’ve been serving Jacksonville homeowners since 2002, and we compete on certainty, not price. Every customer gets a written price before work begins, a written guarantee on every repair, and a technician whose name and photo arrives before they do. Every technician is background-checked, identity-verified, and required to show a photo ID badge at your door – this is the Threshold Standard, and it’s how we’ve operated from day one under Ruben Castellano’s leadership. If a repair fails within the coverage period, the second visit is free.
Written by Ruben Castellano, Owner at Alcott Chimney Jacksonville, serving Jacksonville.