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Blackburns Chimney Services – Professional Chimney Inspection, Sweep & Repair
Original image of a Blackburns Chimney Services employee in proper harnesses inspecting the outside of a masonry chimney.

WESTERVILLE, OH · SINCE 1986

Westerville OH Chimney Sweeping

A routine sweep and a camera look are different visits, and Westerville homeowners need the right one. Blackburns Chimney Services pairs chimney sweeping with a Level I inspection of readily accessible areas. When you are selling the home, or the flue has had a fire, a Level II inspection adds a video scan of the lining so cracks, blockages, and wear are not left to a glance from below.

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Original image from Blackburns Chimney Services of gloved hands cleaning a chimney flue.

SWEEP OR INSPECTION

What Is the Difference Between a Sweep and an Inspection?

A sweep is the cleaning: soot, creosote, and debris come out of the flue. An inspection is the diagnosis. Blackburns Chimney includes a Level I inspection with every sweeping and treats a video scan as Level II.

How the two jobs split:

  • ◆Sweeping removes soot, creosote, and debris
  • ◆Level I, included with the sweep, is a visual check of readily accessible areas
  • ◆Level II adds a video scan of the flue interior and looks in attics, basements, and crawlspaces
  • ◆Level II is the inspection used for a home sale, an appliance change, or after a chimney fire
  • ◆Level III is for a suspected major hazard and may open concealed areas, with consent
  • ◆The sweeping appointment still ends with a report on hazards or repairs

Booking a sweep does not automatically book a Level II video scan. Ask for that when a sale or a chimney fire is the reason for the call. Details live on the chimney inspection page.

WESTERVILLE CHIMNEY SWEEPING

Chimney Sweeping in Westerville, OH

For a Westerville fireplace that simply needs the flue cleaned, the visit is the sweep plus Level I. When a Westerville home is being sold, or the flue has had a fire, ask for a Level II inspection instead of the routine sweep alone.

Sweeping in Westerville

Westerville homeowners can book a sweep with a Level I check, or a Level II inspection after a chimney fire or for a home sale.

Cleaning First

The sweep takes creosote, soot, and debris out. That is the labor side of the appointment.

Level I in the Same Visit

The routine visual check of readily accessible areas is included. It is not a camera tour.

Level II When the Stakes Change

Home sales, appliance changes, and post-fire checks are the Level II triggers, with a video scan.

Cameras for the Flue

Video cameras examine the flue from top to bottom when that inspection is the job.

Plain-Language Report

Reports after inspections use everyday wording, and photos or video when that scan was part of the visit.

COMMON QUESTIONS

What Homeowners Ask About Chimney Sweeping

Is the sweep the cleaning, and the inspection the fire check?
They are related, and they are not the same job. Sweeping removes soot, creosote, and debris from the flue, smoke shelf, and firebox. The inspection diagnoses the chimney. Blackburns Chimney includes a Level I inspection with every sweep, and Level I is a visual check of readily accessible areas. The fire-related camera work is Level II, used after a chimney fire, for a home sale, or when the appliance changes. Calling a sweep an inspection, or an inspection a sweep, hides which one was booked. The report after a cleaning covers hazards or repairs found during that examination.
What does Level I look at, and what does it leave out?
Level I looks at readily accessible areas and whether the flue is unobstructed for continued use. It comes with the sweeping, after brushes matched to the flue have removed soot and creosote and the smoke shelf and firebox have been cleared. It does not include a video scan of the flue interior. It does not, by itself, open attics, basements, or crawlspaces. Those steps are Level II. If you only booked a sweep, expect the cleaning, the containment inside the house, the Level I look, and a plain-language report. Expect a camera scan only if Level II was the request.
What does Level II add when there has been a chimney fire?
Level II includes everything in Level I, then adds a video scan of the flue and inspections of attics, basements, and crawlspaces. Blackburns Chimney uses that level after a chimney fire, and also for a home sale or transfer and for an appliance change. The camera looks at the flue from close range rather than only from the roof or the hearth, and homeowners can see the flue on a monitor during that kind of inspection. A routine sweep does not include that scan. Photos or video in the report belong to the inspection that used a camera. Book Level II by name if a fire is the reason for the call.
When would a Level III inspection come up?
Level III is reserved for a suspected major hazard. It can mean opening concealed areas, which may include removing sections of drywall or siding, and only with the homeowner's consent beforehand. It is not the default after an ordinary sweeping, and it is not the automatic next step after every chimney fire. A chimney fire starts at Level II unless the suspected damage is major enough to need concealed access. The company will not open those areas as part of a surprise. Consent comes first. If that scope is what the flue needs, it is a separate conversation from the creosote removal itself.
How does the sweeping itself reduce the creosote that feeds a fire?
Creosote buildup can lead to a chimney fire, so the reduction Blackburns Chimney performs is removal. The technician matches the removal to one of three creosote levels and matches the tools to a masonry or factory-built flue. Soot and debris leave with the creosote, from the flue and from the smoke shelf and firebox, with work done inside and outside. The Level I check then looks at readily accessible areas. Taking the fuel-like buildup out of the flue is the sweeping answer. It does not erase the need for a Level II scan if a fire has already happened.

WHY CHOOSE US

Why Blackburns Chimney Services?

Camera-Assisted Inspections

We use specialized video cameras to examine the full flue - spotting cracks, blockages, and wear that a surface check would miss.

Early Damage Detection

We work hard to spot minor cracks and small leaks early, helping you avoid the expensive repairs that follow undiagnosed water damage.

Certified Technicians

Our team is dedicated to training and learning, always keeping up with the ever-changing best practices for the industry - you can see our certifications on our team page.

Real Estate Inspections

We provide the in-depth level 2 inspections that are required when buying or selling a home, ensuring nothing is missed during your transaction.

Honest, Transparent Reports

After every visit, expect a plain-language explanation and photo or video documentation of what we found.

Family-Owned, Columbus-Focused

We've been family-owned and locally-operated since 1986, serving Franklin, Delaware, and Union Counties.

Blackburns Chimney Services provided an excellent and professional chimney sweeping along with one-year inspection services recently! Very cordial - answering my questions with a smile along with leaving areas spotless were much appreciated!

Google Review

"Blackburns Chimney Services left my house exactly how they found it. Not a bit of soot in the house! The care/cleanliness and attention to details makes Blackburns Chimney Services the ONLY company that I will use and I certainly recommend them to family, friends, and anyone who needs their chimney swept."

Christian T.

Google

"The whole experience was pleasant. I was able to schedule an appointment on a Saturday (unexpected), the receptionist was very friendly and the sweep was very knowledgeable, professional, and courteous. It could be my imagination, but I think he left the room cleaner than what it was when he first arrived."

Tony W.

Google

"On time, polite, knowledgeable, and honest, fair prices. I was expecting to be told that I needed thousands of dollars of work done to my chimney and, to my surprise the sweep/inspector was honest as to the extent of repairs needed. It is nice to have honest people (especially in this economy) that are not trying to sell you on things you don't need."

Mike S.

Google

WHERE WE WORK

Proudly Serving the Columbus Metro Area

Blackburns Chimney Services works with homeowners across Franklin, Delaware, and Union Counties - from historic Columbus neighborhoods to growing communities in Dublin, Westerville, Bexley, and beyond.

Columbus

New Albany

Gahanna

Pickerington

Pataskala

Westerville

Reynoldsburg

Blacklick

Canal Winchester

Grove City

Dublin

Hilliard

Powell

Lewis Center

Bexley

Worthington

Upper Arlington

Delaware

4644 Kenny Rd, Columbus, OH 43220

Columbus Chimney Sweeping Delaware Chimney Sweeping Dublin Chimney Sweeping Gahanna Chimney Sweeping Grove City Chimney Sweeping Hilliard Chimney Sweeping Lewis Center Chimney Sweeping Reynoldsburg Chimney Sweeping Upper Arlington Chimney Sweeping Westerville Chimney Sweeping

GET IN TOUCH

Request Westerville Chimney Sweeping

Say whether you need the sweep or a Level II video scan for a Westerville, OH home.

Inspection scope is also outlined with the other chimney services.

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