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.
Fast, Reliable Chimney Sweep Across Lombard
A Chimney Sweep in Lombard typically runs $189-$279 for a standard NFPA 211 Level 1 sweep with inspection, or $279-$425 for a Level 2 camera inspection - and every job gets a written price before we start, a documented photo record when we’re done, and our 365-Day Done Right Promise. Our crews serve Lombard from our Chicago office, dispatching background-checked, uniformed technicians to neighborhoods from the Main Street corridor to the Glen Ellyn border. We’ve inspected and cleaned more than 38,000 chimneys since 2009, and Lombard’s 1950s-1970s housing stock keeps us busy with structural-age issues that a brush alone won’t solve. Call (708) 294-2571 to book. A live person answers, 24/7.
Why Emberly Chimney Cleaners Orland Park Is Lombard’s Preferred Chimney Sweep Company
We’ve built our reputation in Lombard on documentation, not promises, through our Lombard Fireplace Services. Every visit includes a camera-scan inspection and a photo record - Clause 4 of the Haven Standard, a practice we’ve held since 2009. Homeowners here research before they call, and they stay because we show them what we found, name the price in writing, and let them decide.
Our Lombard customers mention the same things in reviews: the tech texted when he was on the way, the license number was on the page before he arrived, and the written scope and warranty were delivered before any work started. That’s Haven Standard Clause 1 - H.A.V.E.N. “Have it in writing.” No exceptions.
Response time to Lombard is typically same-week booking, with scheduling coordinated from our Chicago office. We know the village’s street grid, the tight lot lines near downtown, and the access challenges that come with attached homes on narrow streets. That local knowledge means we arrive with the right equipment for your chimney type, not a generic truck.
We also offer a Free Second Opinion on any competitor’s written estimate. Bring us another company’s quote for chimney work in Lombard and we’ll review it against what our camera found - no charge.
Our Chimney Sweep Services in Lombard

Level 1 Inspection
A Level 1 inspection is the baseline for any chimney cleaning in Lombard. We examine readily accessible portions of the chimney exterior, interior, and connecting appliance - checking for obstructions, combustible deposits, and basic structural soundness. For newer homes or systems that haven’t changed since last year’s clean bill, this is often sufficient. But in Lombard’s 1950s-1970s housing stock, we frequently find that a Level 1 reveals enough concern to warrant upgrading to Level 2 before we sign off.

Level 2 Inspection
This is where Chimney Sweep in Lombard gets specific. A Level 2 inspection includes everything in Level 1 plus a camera scan of the entire flue interior, accessible attics, crawl spaces, and basements. We run a high-resolution camera the full length of your flue liner, frame by frame, and document what we see. In Lombard, this matters enormously. Those mid-century ranch and split-level chimneys have endured 50-70 years of freeze-thaw cycling 20 miles inland from Lake Michigan, where winter temperature swings are sharper than lakefront communities. We’ve found cracked clay flue tiles, eroded mortar joints, and spalled brick on the exposed above-roofline section that a flashlight glance would miss entirely. The photo record becomes your documented proof for insurance, real estate transactions, or simply your own files. Clause 4 of the Haven Standard requires this documentation on every job - we’ve done it since 2009.

Creosote Removal
Creosote builds in stages. First-degree creosote is flaky soot, easily brushed. Second-degree is crunchy tar-like flakes. Third-degree is a glossy, hardened glaze that requires rotary chains, chemical treatments, or both. Lombard’s homeowners who burn seasoned hardwood and maintain proper draft typically see first- or second-degree buildup. But we’ve also found third-degree glaze in systems where the draft was compromised by a cracked flue liner - a structural problem feeding a cleaning problem. We remove the creosote, classify it, and tell you why it formed. If your flue liner is cracked from decades of freeze-thaw exposure, sweeping alone won’t stop the glaze from returning.

Soot Removal & Fireplace Cleaning
Fireplace cleaning in Lombard means more than brushing the firebox. We clean the smoke chamber, damper assembly, and accessible firebox surfaces. For masonry systems, we inspect the firebrick for deterioration. For the Heatilator-style prefabricated steel fireboxes common in Lombard’s 1950s-1960s ranches, we check for warping, cracks, and corrosion - the metal fatigue that comes with 20+ years past the unit’s rated service life. Here’s what we mean: we got called to a 1958 ranch near downtown Lombard’s Main Street corridor where the homeowner had been burning in an original Heatilator firebox that was decades past its rated service life. A Level 2 inspection showed a cracked clay flue liner on the exposed above-roofline section and the unit’s metal firebox warped past salvage. We removed the creosote, documented the liner and firebox condition, and told them the system couldn’t legally and safely operate until the firebox and liner were replaced - not just swept.

Annual Sweep
The NFPA 211 standard calls for annual inspection, with cleaning as needed. In Lombard, we recommend pairing that annual visit with a Level 2 camera scan every 3-5 years for mid-century systems, or any time the property changes hands. The cost of documentation is minimal against the cost of undetected liner failure or a firebox operating past its rated life.

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.
Before
AfterTrusted Brands We Service in Lombard
We source materials through Haven’s buying network from Gelco, Olympia Chimney, Famco, and Copperfield - brands we specify for liner replacements, caps, dampers, and repair components. For Lombard homeowners with aging Heatilator or similar prefabricated systems, we stock compatible firebox and flue components to minimize wait times. If your inspection reveals a part we don’t carry, we order through our network and schedule return installation. No markup games. The price we quote is the price you pay.
Common Chimney Sweep Problems We See in Lombard Homes

- Shared or adjacent flues in attached homes. Lombard’s tightly-spaced postwar neighborhoods include duplexes, townhomes, and ranch homes with party walls or closely spaced chimneys. A neighbor’s appliance can vent into the same stack or create pressure imbalances that draw smoke or carbon monoxide across property lines. Our sweep of one unit doesn’t stop cross-contamination into the other - we identify shared-venting conditions during inspection and document what we find.
- Freeze-thaw damage on exposed above-roofline sections. Lombard sits 20 miles inland from Lake Michigan, with less winter temperature moderation than lakefront communities. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles crack clay flue tiles, erode mortar joints, and spall brick faces. By the time a homeowner notices staining or draft problems, the damage is often extensive. Our camera scan catches it before water intrusion compromises the chimney structure.
- Heatilator fireboxes operating decades past rated service life. Many 1950s-1960s Lombard ranches were built with prefabricated steel fireplace systems rated for roughly 30 years. We regularly find homeowners burning wood in units 20 years past that threshold. The firebox itself - not just the flue - requires replacement before safe operation. A standard sweep that stops at the flue leaves an unsafe firebox burning.
- Cracked flue liners mistaken for “normal aging.” Homeowners near the Main Street foursquares and mid-century ranches alike sometimes assume annual sweeping covers them. But a cracked flue liner or dead Heatilator firebox is a structural-age problem a brush alone can’t fix. We classify liner damage by severity and explain whether it can be relined, must be replaced, or - in rare cases - allows continued use with monitoring.
Pricing for Chimney Sweep in Lombard, IL
| Service | Typical Range in Lombard |
|---|---|
| Level 1 Sweep & Inspection | $189 - $279 |
| Level 2 Camera Inspection | $279 - $425 |
| Creosote Removal (standard) | Included in sweep price |
| Third-Degree Glaze Removal | $125 - $250 additional |
| Fireplace Cleaning (firebox & smoke chamber) | $149 - $219 |
| Annual Maintenance Plan | $159 - $199/year |
What moves the price? Chimney height and roof pitch affect access time. Third-degree creosote requires rotary equipment and chemical treatment. Prefabricated firebox evaluation adds complexity if we need to identify manufacturer and model for replacement sizing. We deliver a written price, written scope, and written warranty before any work starts - Haven Standard Clause 1. No “call for a quote.” No post-work invoice surprises. Estimates are free. Call (708) 294-2571.
We Also Serve Cities Near Lombard

Our crews work throughout the western suburbs, including Lombard neighbors Glen Ellyn, Elmhurst, Downers Grove, and Wheaton. Scheduling is coordinated from our Chicago office, with local dispatch to each community. The same Haven Standard applies: written price before work, photo record after, 365-Day Done Right Promise.
Serving Lombard, IL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Lombard 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 - Chimney Sweep in Lombard

We can sweep the flue, but we won’t sign off on safety without inspecting the firebox. Heatilator and similar prefabricated steel systems from the 1950s-1960s carry roughly a 30-year service life, meaning most in Lombard are 20+ years past replacement. We document the firebox condition with photos, classify any damage, and give you a written price for replacement if needed. Call (708) 294-2571 for a free estimate - estimates are free.
Shared or adjacent flues in Lombard’s attached and tightly-spaced homes allow cross-contamination when one appliance pressurizes a common stack or poorly sealed party wall. Our Level 2 inspection identifies shared-venting conditions and pressure imbalances. We document what we find and recommend sealing, separation, or liner installation as needed. Call (708) 294-2571 - we’ll camera-scan and show you exactly what’s happening.
It’s common but not acceptable. Lombard’s inland location 20 miles from Lake Michigan means sharper freeze-thaw cycles than lakefront communities, and 50-70 years of that cycling cracks clay flue tiles on exposed above-roofline sections. “Normal for the age” doesn’t mean safe to use. Cracked tiles allow heat, smoke, and carbon monoxide to reach combustible framing. We classify the damage and quote relining or replacement in writing. Call (708) 294-2571 for a camera inspection.
NFPA 211 calls for annual inspection, with cleaning as needed. For Lombard’s mid-century housing stock, we add a Level 2 camera scan every 3-5 years, or any time the property sells, after a chimney fire, or following significant weather events. The 1950s-1970s buildout means structural-age issues are increasingly common - documentation protects your safety and your property value. Call (708) 294-2571 to schedule.
First-degree creosote is flaky soot, removed with standard brushing. Third-degree is a hardened, glazed tar layer requiring rotary chains and chemical treatment - and it often signals a deeper problem like a cracked liner causing poor draft. We classify what we find, remove it completely, and explain why it formed. If your liner is compromised from Lombard’s freeze-thaw exposure, sweeping alone won’t stop it from returning. Call (708) 294-2571 for an exact quote - estimates are free.
Ready to see what your chimney actually looks like? Call (708) 294-2571 to book a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection in Lombard. A live person answers 24/7. We’ll text when your tech is on the way, deliver a written price before any work starts, and leave you with a documented photo record - Clause 4 of the Haven Standard, same as we’ve done since 2009. Free estimates. Free second opinions on any competitor’s written quote.
Written by Corrine Halstead, Owner at Emberly Chimney Cleaners Orland Park, serving Lombard and the western suburbs.





Before
After
Before
After