Every fire leaves something behind. Soot, creosote, ash and airborne debris coat the inside of the flue, narrow the passage the smoke has to travel and, in the case of creosote, create fuel for a chimney fire. Professional chimney sweeping removes those deposits with brushes and rods sized to your flue, followed by HEPA-filtered vacuuming so the dust stays out of your living space.

Regular sweeping improves draft, reduces smoky odors, protects the liner and masonry from acidic buildup and lowers the risk of a chimney fire. In Tampa there is one more reason to sweep: soot and creosote absorb humidity and can create a stubborn, sour smell through the summer months, especially when it rains or the air conditioning is running. A spring sweep often solves that odor before it starts.

We sweep wood-burning fireplaces, wood stoves, inserts, pellet and gas vents, and we always inspect the accessible parts of the system while we are there, so you get a safety check with every cleaning.

An inspection tells you whether your chimney is safe to use, whether it needs cleaning and what repairs, if any, will be required. We follow the three-level framework described in NFPA 211. Which level you need depends on your situation, and we recommend the one that matches your chimney's history and your plans for the home.

A Level 1 inspection is the annual check for a chimney that is used the same way it always has been. A Level 2 inspection adds a video scan through the flue and inspection of accessible attic and crawlspace areas, and is appropriate when you buy or sell a house, change fuel type, install a new appliance or after a chimney fire or storm. A Level 3 inspection is the most thorough and may require removing parts of the chimney or building finish to reach hidden areas; it is used when a serious hazard is suspected and cannot be evaluated another way.

Real-estate inspections are a specialty. A home inspector will usually note that a chimney should be evaluated by a specialist, and a Level 2 inspection gives buyers, sellers and lenders the detailed findings they need.

Brick and mortar chimneys last a long time, but not forever. In Tampa's humid, rainy climate, mortar joints erode, bricks absorb water and crumble, and flashing pulls away from the roof. Small defects let in water, and water accelerates every other kind of damage. Prompt masonry repair keeps a minor issue from becoming a rebuild.

Our masonry work includes tuckpointing, which replaces failed mortar joints with matching mortar, brick replacement and patching, repair or replacement of crowns and chase covers, and replacement or resealing of step and counter flashing where the chimney meets the roof. For chimneys that are leaning, badly deteriorated or damaged by a storm, we rebuild the affected section, matching the original brick and mortar profile as closely as possible.

We also repair the interior: cracked firebrick, deteriorated smoke chamber surfaces and damaged mortar joints in the firebox. Because a repair should be right for the underlying cause, we always trace the source of moisture or movement before we start.

The top of the chimney is the most exposed and most important place to protect. A chimney cap keeps rain, leaves, sparks and animals out of the flue, while the crown, the cement or metal surface that caps the masonry, sheds water away from the brick. If either fails, water reaches the liner and the masonry below, and animals get a doorway to your fireplace.

We install chimney caps in stainless steel and other durable materials, sized to your flue with a rigid mesh that resists chewing and blocks embers. For masonry chimneys we repair cracked crowns or rebuild them with a proper overhang and drip edge, and for factory-built chimneys we replace rusted or leaking chase covers with custom-fitted stainless steel units. Where appropriate we also install top-sealing dampers, which close the flue tightly against rain, drafts and pests.

In Tampa, a well-fitted cap and crown are among the most cost-effective upgrades you can make. They defend against daily thunderstorms, salt air and the driving rain of hurricane season.

A chimney liner is the protective barrier inside the flue. It carries hot gases out of the house, protects the masonry from acidic combustion byproducts and keeps heat away from the surrounding structure. Older Tampa homes may have clay tile liners that have cracked from age, moisture or a past chimney fire, and some very old chimneys have no liner at all.

When a liner is damaged, gases can escape into the walls, heat can reach wood framing and the chimney can no longer draw as it should. We evaluate liners with a video camera and, when needed, install a new stainless steel liner sized for your appliance. A properly sized liner improves draft, reduces buildup and is often required when you install a new insert, stove or high-efficiency gas appliance.

For clay tile liners with limited damage, we offer repair options. We will explain whether repair or replacement makes sense and why.

Water finds its way into chimneys from many directions: through cracked crowns, failed flashing, missing caps, deteriorated mortar joints and the brick itself. In Florida, where heavy rain and humidity are part of everyday life, moisture control is the single most important part of chimney preservation.

We start by tracing the source of the leak, using visual inspection, moisture testing and water testing where necessary. Then we repair the actual causes, replace failed components and, once the masonry is sound, apply a breathable water repellent that sheds liquid water while allowing water vapor to escape. We avoid paint and non-breathable sealers because they trap moisture and can make masonry deteriorate faster.

If moisture has already stained ceilings, rusted the damper or created a musty smell, we address the chimney-related causes and can recommend appropriate follow-up for interior finishes and mold concerns.

An open flue is an inviting shelter. Raccoons, squirrels, rats, opossums, bats and a variety of birds regularly move into chimneys across the Tampa area. Beyond the noise and odor, animals can block the flue, damage the damper and fall into the firebox. Nests are combustible, and a blocked flue can push smoke and carbon monoxide into the house.

We remove animals and nests humanely and lawfully. Some chimney-nesting birds are federally protected, and in Florida bats are protected, with exclusion work generally restricted during the summer maternity season. Our technicians know the rules and will explain what can be done and when. After removal, we clean the flue, remove nesting materials and odors, and install a properly fitted cap with a rigid screen to keep animals from returning.

Please do not light a fire to drive an animal out. It is dangerous for the animal, the home and the people in it.

The inside of the fireplace takes the heat, and it shows. Firebricks crack, mortar joints open, dampers rust and stick, hearth extensions crumble and smoke chambers develop rough shelves that upset the draft. Any of these can turn a pleasant fire into a smoky, hazardous or inefficient one.

We repair and restore fireboxes by replacing damaged firebrick, repointing joints with high-temperature mortar and sealing cracks. We repair or replace dampers, including upgrading to top-sealing dampers that seal the flue tightly when it is not in use. We correct smoke chamber problems with parging or other appropriate methods and address hearth and surround issues that affect fire safety.

If your fireplace smokes into the room, does not draw or looks worse each season, we will diagnose the cause, which can be anything from a blocked flue to a mismatched flue size to negative air pressure in the house, and recommend the right fix.

Many Tampa homes use gas fireplaces and gas log sets because they are convenient and clean. Gas burns without producing creosote, but that does not mean it is maintenance-free. Vents can corrode, spiders and debris can block burners and pilot assemblies, glass can film over and safety components can wear out. A blocked or damaged vent can also allow carbon monoxide to enter the home.

Our gas fireplace service includes a thorough inspection of the appliance and vent, cleaning of the burner, logs, glass and firebox, checking of pilot and ignition components and evaluation of the vent and termination for corrosion, obstruction or damage. If a problem is beyond fireplace and chimney service, such as gas supply or utility issues, we will tell you what specialist to call.

We also help homeowners who are considering converting from wood to gas, or installing a new insert, by evaluating the chimney and recommending the right liner and vent configuration.

Some chimney problems cannot wait for morning. A storm rips off a cap, smoke fills the living room, an animal is trapped in the firebox, or water is streaming down the inside of the chimney during a thunderstorm. BlueRidge Chimney is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for exactly these situations.

When you call, we ask a few quick questions to understand the problem and give you immediate safety steps. Then we schedule the fastest response we can and, when needed, arrange temporary measures such as tarping or capping the chimney to stop water intrusion until a permanent repair can be made. After the emergency is handled, we inspect the whole system to make sure nothing else was damaged.

If you suspect a chimney fire, or if a carbon monoxide alarm is sounding, get everyone out of the house and call 911 first. Call us once everyone is safe and the fire department has cleared the home.