Before & After Gallery - Hadley Chimney Tampa

Chimney Cleaning Before & After in Tampa, FL

You can read about chimney sweeping all day, but nothing makes the case like seeing what came out of a flue and what it looks like after we’re done. Our technicians document every job with before-and-after photos as part of The Relay Visibility Guarantee. That’s not a sales pitch. It’s the only way you can actually verify the work was done, and done right. Here’s a look at what we’ve pulled out of Tampa chimneys since 2003.

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Recent Transformations

Stage 3 Creosote Removal in a Hyde Park Fireplace

The problem: a homeowner in Hyde Park hadn’t swept the fireplace in six years. Our camera inspection showed Stage 3 creosote, the glazed, tar-like type that’s genuinely dangerous. What we did: we ran rotary cleaning rods with a whip head to break the glaze off the flue walls, then swept the firebox and smoke shelf. The result: the flue went from glossy black to bare tile. The homeowner said the fireplace drew better than it had in years. That’s typical, not lucky. When a chimney finally gets airflow, it behaves like a different fireplace.

Animal Nest Blockage in a Seminole Heights Flue

The problem: a Seminole Heights customer called because smoke was backing into the living room. The camera found a bird nest wedged mid-flue, which is common in Tampa’s older neighborhoods where chimneys go unused for long stretches. What we did: we pulled the nest, swept the flue, and recommended a chimney cap with proper screening, which we installed the same day. The result: the smoke cleared on first lighting, and the customer now has a cap that keeps birds out for good. If your chimney has been idle, a cap is cheap insurance.

Heavy Soot Buildup in a Ybor City Historic Home

The problem: Ybor City’s historic homes often have older flues with rough mortar joints that hold soot. This one had enough buildup that the customer was getting a sooty smell in the room even when the fireplace wasn’t in use. What we did: we swept the flue with a poly brush sized to the terracotta liner, then vacuumed the firebox and smoke shelf. Our photos showed the difference: black tile surfaces back to their original clay color. The result: the odor disappeared, because the soot that was holding the smell was gone. Tampa’s humidity makes soot cling, and a damp flue smells worse than you’d expect.

Pre-Purchase Chimney Inspection and Sweep in Carrollwood

The problem: a Carrollwood buyer under contract wanted the fireplace checked before closing. We found typical Stage 1 creosote, nothing alarming, but the seller hadn’t swept it in years. What we did: we cleaned the flue and ran a full camera inspection as part of the sweep. The photos showed the flue was in solid shape once the creosote was gone. The result: the buyer closed with confidence, and the seller had photo documentation to hand over. It’s a small cost that removes one of the unknowns from a real estate transaction. If you’re buying a home in Tampa with a fireplace, book the sweep before you sign.

Gas Fireplace Glass and Log Set Cleaning in Westchase

The problem: a Westchase homeowner had a gas fireplace that was working but looked tired. The glass was fogged with white film, and the logs were coated in soot from years of burning with no service. What we did: we pulled the glass, cleaned the logs and burner, cleared the pilot assembly, and polished the glass with a cleaner that won’t scratch ceramic viewing panels. The result: a fireplace that looked close to new, and a burner that lit evenly again. Gas fireplaces still need service. They don’t build creosote, but they do get dirty, and a dirty burner wastes gas.

Chimney Cap Replacement After Rust-Through in Brandon

The problem: a Brandon customer heard water dripping in the fireplace during a summer thunderstorm. The camera showed the culprit: a chimney cap that had rusted through at the mesh. Rain was running straight down the flue. What we did: we removed the old cap, swept the damp flue to clear any debris that washed in, and installed a new Copperfield cap with stainless steel mesh. The result: the chimney stayed dry through the next storm season, and the flue didn’t develop that musty smell that water brings. Florida rain is hard on caps. This is one of the most common repairs we do across the Tampa area.

Want Results Like These?

Every job we do comes with before-and-after photos so you can see exactly what was cleaned or repaired. You’ll get a written price before any work starts, and a written guarantee on every repair, good for 365 days, with a free second visit if it fails. Call (850) 790-3475 to book a chimney sweep in Tampa. A live person answers, 24/7.

Written by Cory Mitchell, Owner at Hadley Chimney Tampa, serving Tampa since 2003.