Callaway
Chimney Sweeps And Inspections

With over 30 years of chimney sweeping experience, Sootmaster of Callaway is dedicated to giving you the best experience when dealing with your chimney and fireplace system.

What we do

Chimney Sweeps, Repairs, Inspections, Installations

What To Expect

Here at Sootmaster Chimney Sweeps of Callaway, Florida, your satisfaction is our priority. We have spent the last 30 years perfecting our craft and earning a great reputation with those we have had the pleasure of meeting. At Sootmaster, we hold our technicians to the highest standard of training and certification, and we use the best equipment. It is for these reasons we offer 10-year warranties on most of our services. To find out which services or to schedule a warranty appointment, call us at (850) 712-3470.

 

Why Choose Us

As we have mentioned before, you are the number one priority here at Sootmaster of Callaway. We value your experience with us more than anything, which is why we have the most respectful and knowledgeable team. Because we do not want to be the cause of any problems for you, we do our best to give you fair pricing for the quality we provide. We promise to provide the best quality service and customer interaction because we have the best people for it. Give us a call at (850) 712-3470 and we would love to speak to you more and see what we can do for you!

Sweeps & Inspections

Sootmaster Chimney Sweeps of Callaway Florida offers professional chimney sweeping services as well as quality inspections. Learn more about our sweeps and inspections, and trust in the Sootmaster.

Waterproofing & Repairs

Sootmaster of Callaway offers excellent waterproofing services and general masonry and prefab repairs. Call Sootmaster to schedule an appointment with our professionally trained technicians.

Custom Installations

Do you have a fireplace? Do you want one? Sootmaster also offers professional chimney and fireplace installation. Whether it be a masonry system (brick), or prefabricated (metal), Sootmaster has you covered.

Why Does My Fireplace Smoke? Quick Tips For A Smoky Fireplace

  Nothing beats relaxing in front of fire on a chilly night. However, when you’ve got a smoky fireplace the experience is less than relaxing. Fireplace smoke that doesn’t flow properly up through the chimney or flue can be an indication of a serious problem and is a safety issue for your home. Fireplace smoke in the house also can permeate carpeting, furniture and other fabrics causing odors that are hard to remove. Why Does My Fireplace Smoke? The job of a chimney or flue is to facilitate an updraft that pulls the hot gasses and smoke from the fire up and away from the living space. Anytime a chimney or flue fails to pull in the smoke from a fire, the result is fireplace smoke in the house. The reasons for this failure can vary, continue reading to find why your chimney may not be working properly. Green or Wet Firewood It is very important to choose properly seasoned wood to burn in your fireplace or furnace. If your wood is green or wet it will burn slower, less hot,...

How To tell When Your Chimney Needs a Chimney Sweep

There may not be a standard time-frame applicable across chimneys concerning when and how often these need sweeping, but the fact of the matter is that it does need to be done in a timely fashion. Not doing so could result in a house fire. Besides, the heating will not be to your satisfaction. A timely chimney sweep saves loads of trouble and expenses later on. As they say, a stitch in time saves nine! When do you know that it is time for a chimney sweep? One might imagine that one could have some ground rules about determining that it is time for a chimney sweep regarding the number of times a chimney has been used, but things don’t really pan out like that and the reason for that is creosote. Now there is no telling when it will form as it occurs on account of improper burning of wood. If the oxygen supply inside the flue is inadequate, it could lead to a fire which emits a lot of smoke, causing unburned tar vapors to get deposited inside the fireplace flue. This is a dangerous...

Benefits of A Lock-Top Damper

What is a damper? A fireplace damper is normally located at least 8 inches above the firebox opening. The damper acts as a door separating the chimney and the inside of your home, allowing the smoke to exit when open. When the damper is closed, it prevents downdrafts from entering your home. Are you aware of what kind of damper you have on your chimney? If not, it is worth it to find out because your leaky throat damper could be costing you hundreds of dollars a year in energy loss. Read more below to find out why and what you can do to prevent this. Problems with Traditional Throat Dampers Traditional dampers were designed for times when energy was not nearly as expensive as today. These throat dampers cause several problems because they are made completely out of metal. Throat dampers are sealed by metal to metal closure, which allows hot and cold air to leak through. Due to this inefficient seal, your air conditioner may need to work harder and longer to get to the temperature you...

11 Things You Should Never Burn in Your Fireplace

The warm, romantic crackle of a fireplace is a part of the cooler months many people look forward to. The fireplace brings holiday comfort for many people, but it can also be dangerous if not used properly. Although it may be tempting to simply discard trash into the fire and watch it burn away, you should never burn anything other than properly seasoned wood in the fireplace. Small pieces of trash that burn easily may seem harmless, but come with hidden consequences. Here are 11 things that should never be burned in your fireplace. Treated Wood If you have some wood lying around from your latest home improvement project, don’t throw it in the fireplace. Painted or treated wood is full of synthetic chemicals that can have harmful effects when burned. Not only will treated wood release toxic substances into the air, it can also do a lot of damage to your fireplace. The only wood you should burn is properly seasoned, dry firewood.  Wet Wood According to the Environmental...

The Birth of the Chimney

Many things reach back further than one may initially think. Respirators, for instance, can trace their lineage back to the first century A.D. Pliny the Elder coming up with the idea to guard roman miners against inhaling load oxide dust by using animal bladders. Chimneys as well trace their lineage to the Romans, as one might expect, for stoves. Industrial Chimneys – The Smokestack The model of chimney used by the Romans was industrial. Used for bread baking, Often we don’t worry about this sort in blogs as they are more for factories, manufacturing plants, etc. Often we think chimney’s purpose is to remove the harmful gasses and smoke produced by machines, fire, and other such things we cannot or should not breathe. This assumption is entirely accurate. However, the thing that makes an industrial chimney industrial is its build and more specific purpose. These chimneys are expected to be constantly working, releasing loads of fumes nearly all the time. Their...

Should I Seal My Brick Chimney?

The southern United States receives a lot of rain. From afternoon thunderstorms to hurricanes, Southerners are very used to wet weather. However, many people don’t think about the effects that rain can have on their chimneys. Unfortunately, water damage can wreak havoc on masonry, or brick, chimneys. Two ways to prevent water from damaging your chimney are a sealant and a chimney cap. Sealant for Masonry Many chimneys are made of brick. Brick chimneys are constructed of a variety of masonry and metal materials. These chimneys are made from mortar, brick, concrete, stone, flue tile, steel, and cast iron. All masonry chimneys contain some combination of these materials. Unfortunately, some of these materials can be damaged from exposure to water. All the materials, except the stone, deteriorate faster as a result of prolonged contact with water. Typically, masonry is quickly damaged when repeatedly exposed to freeze-thaw stages. This is when water that has seeped into the...

Anatomy of a Chimney

When figuring out what the problem with your chimney is, you may be wondering, “What are these parts?” Well, you are not alone. Many people who own a fireplace do not know what different parts of their chimney and such are. This is important to know as a homeowner. Here we will discuss the many different pieces involved in making your fireplace work safely and efficiently! What are the parts of the chimney? Surprisingly, the chimney has many different parts. All of these are important to the functioning of the fireplace. They work together in harmony to draw out the smoke to prevent your home from filling with smoke. These are as follows: Chimney flue Chimney liner Chimney cap Chimney flashing Chimney crown Damper Smoke chamber These are all important to the functioning of the fireplace and ensuring the proper functioning of them is crucial to the maintenance of your home. What is the purpose of a flue? A chimney flue is the area of passage of the smoke exiting the chimney. This is...

How to Locate a Local Chimney Cleaner

Chimneys have become an essential part of the house. It has become important to sweep them to increase efficiency and to extend the life of the chimney. So there is a need to find a special local chimney cleaner for the sweep of your chimney. There are many chimney cleaners who offer chimney cleaning services in the area but how do you choose the best one? Instructions to Find the Best local Chimney Cleaner There are many websites that have been created to make finding a local chimney cleaner much easier. These websites include a comprehensive list of local chimney cleaners who have completed training, have the latest equipment, and carry reviews of their work. They also provide a search bar to find a local chimney cleaner in your area. You can filter the chimney cleaners according to that selections; zip code and distance in the mile. In addition, some websites provide a filter process according to the work they do or the type of fireplace. The more the client uses this free service...

4 Main Types of Fireplaces

Fireplaces have become the most valuable and influential element of your home when you want to feel ease and comfort during the cold weather months. No matter what is the size of your house, there will always a particular type of fireplace that will suit you perfectly. It is more likely to become a must-have item for every millennial buyer. Whether you already have a fire in your house or you are looking for one, it is essential to know that there are different types of fireplaces stove out there. It not only makes your home warm but also enhances the beauty of your place. There are many types of fireplaces in the market, but some main fireplaces are following. Therefore you can view them and select which suits you according to your place and conditions. Types of Fireplaces There are many types of fireplaces present in this era of technology. The following four types of fireplaces are popular among the customers because of their uniqueness and the convenience of sweep or cleaning.  ...

Cracked Crown on Your Chimney?

On a chimney, the crown is located across the top of the chimney. It is a solid cover that sits on the highest points of your chimney. Designed to be strong and perform well over a long period of time. Even though, over-time all structures start to fall. There are numerous reasons for cracks to form in the crown. Chimneys are continually exposed to the elements and become damaged from snow, rain, sunlight, and freeze-thaw stages. It is significantly important to repair any cracks or splits in a smokestack before any harm occurs. Indications of a Damages Chimney Crown Cracking: Visible cracks in the concrete forming the crown can be filled or sealed, if they are still relatively small. Larger cracks might need more extensive repair. Falling flue tiles: notice small lumps of tiles gathering at the base of your fireplace it is an indication that the pipe coating your stack is harmed. If this issue is not tended to it can possibly prompt a house fire. Rust: Rust on the damper or in the...

Watch Our VIDEOS

Frequently Asked Questions

If I'm renting an apartment with a fireplace, is it my or my landlords’ responsibility to get my Fireplace cleaned?
This care responsibility should be listed in your lease. If you are not sure, call your landlord, let them know of your concern. A fireplace should be cleaned and inspected at least once a year if used regularly.
How much does a chimney sweep cost?

The smell is because of creosote deposits within the chimney, a natural byproduct of woodburning. The odor is sometimes worse during the summer when the humidity is high the air conditioning is turned on. A typical sweeping will help but usually won’t solve the smell completely. There are commercial chimney deodorants that work well, and plenty of people have good results with kitty litter or maybe baking soda set inside the fireplace. The real problem is that the air being drawn down the chimney, an indication of overall pressure problems within the house. Some make-up air should be introduced someplace else in the house. A good sealing and a top-mounted damper will reduce this air flow coming down the chimney.

What should I do about smoke coming out my fireplace?
Having smoke in your home is serious for your health and you belongings. Modern airtight homes can keep the fire from drawing enough air so It’ll draw air down the chimney and into your home. We can help troubleshoot these problems with you.
Can I clean my fireplace and chimney myself?
Trying to clean your chimney and fireplace yourself can be a very dirty, dangerous and time-consuming task. The tools our technicians use, cannot be bought at your local hardware store. A professional Chimney sweep can find damage that can cause even more problems later. A cleaning and inspection can usually be completed in under an hour, verses trying to tackle the job yourself, could take an entire weekend. Call us today, and schedule with pro.

Nice people with great company. Answered the first ring in the office, came out that weekend, and fixed my leak the same day as inspection/cleaning. overall an A+ experience.

– Phil Gillis

We are experienced

We Have Over 30 Years of Experience in The Industry

With an ever-growing team, the experience of the Sootmaster company grows as well. For Over 30 years, Sootmaster has focused on perfecting their work on chimney and fireplace systems. We have many professionally trained technicians who are prepared and eager to assist you with any problem your chimney and fireplace might present, from standard sweeps to ground-up installations, Sootmaster’s expert technicians can get the job done.

Check Your Calendar

The National Fire Protection Association recommends having your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a year. If you’ve gone a year or more without having your chimney checked out, it’s best to go ahead and make an appointment with your local chimney sweep. Experienced chimney technicians like the ones at Sootmaster will make sure your chimney is clean and working properly.

Fireplace Odors

Do you have unpleasant smells coming from your fireplace? It’s most likely due to a buildup of soot and creosote, which are byproducts of burning wood. Creosote can stick to the walls of your chimney and is the leading cause of chimney fires.

Black Spots on Fireplace Walls

Have you noticed a black, oily substance on the walls of your fireplace? This is a buildup of creosote and can be removed by a chimney technician. It is important to remove creosote to prevent chimney fires. 

Weak Fires

If it’s difficult to start a fire in your fireplace, your chimney could be clogged. Poorly burning fires can also be a result of a malfunctioning damper. Both issues restrict the amount of oxygen that reaches your fire, stopping it from burning properly. These problems can be fixed by a knowledgeable chimney technician.

Animals In Your Chimney

Animals and animal nests can restrict the flow of air in your chimney or even catch fire. If you hear noises coming from your chimney or notice nests on top of it, call your local chimney sweep to have the animals safely removed. 

5 Signs You Need Your Chimney Cleaned

Being a homeowner comes with a long to-do list. From home improvement projects to daily upkeep, there’s probably a lot on your mind when it comes to your home. However, the last thing that may come to mind is one of the most important: your chimney. Just like the rest of your home, your chimney and fireplace need regular cleaning and maintenance to work properly. Keeping your chimney clean is also the best way to prevent chimney fires. Look out for these five signs it’s time to have your chimney professionally cleaned.

Chimney Sweep

Message Us

Get In touch below. Ask Any Question for A Consultation

Call Us

(850) 712-3470

Fill Out The Form Below to See How We Can Help You:

Sootmaster Banner
Best of Home Advisor

Youtube

Watch videos and learn more about what we do