When you search for a chimney sweep in Portland, Oregon, you’ll find dozens of companies promising “cheap chimney cleaning” over the phone. Some advertise prices as low as $85. Sounds great, right? Unfortunately, many homeowners in Portland and Carver have learned the hard way that these offers are too good to be true.
At Metro Chimney PDX, we’ve seen the scams firsthand:
- A company quotes $85 on the phone.
- The sweep shows up and suddenly claims the job will cost $1,000 or more.
- The excuse? “Oh, that $85 only covers the first 5 feet of the flue. Anything higher is extra.”
Here’s the problem: In America, chimneys must extend at least 2 feet above any part of the roof within a 10-foot radius. That means even on a one-story ranch home, your chimney is likely 15 feet tall or more. The idea of only covering “the first 5 feet” is nonsense. It’s a scam designed to bait you with a low price, then switch once they’re at your door.
Why These Scams Hurt Homeowners
Chimney scams aren’t just about money they put families at risk:
- Incomplete cleaning leaves behind creosote and soot that can spark chimney fires.
- Skipped smoke shelf cleaning clogs airflow, causing smoke to backdraft into your home.
- Rushed jobs miss cracks, leaks, or damaged caps that lead to water intrusion.
Some companies cut corners because they’re trying to squeeze in one more job per day. For example, many Portland companies stopped vacuuming out smoke shelves around 2002. Why? Skipping this step saves time. But when the smoke shelf fills with soot and ash, it throws off your fireplace’s airflow a dangerous shortcut.
At Metro Chimney PDX, we still vacuum every smoke shelf because it’s essential for proper draft and safety.
The Metro Chimney Difference: Honest, Transparent Pricing
When you call Metro Chimney PDX for a chimney cleaning in Portland, here’s what you can expect:
- The price we quote on the phone is the price you pay.
- The only time costs change is if your chimney requires special gear, like scaffolding or roof platforms.
- If that’s the case, we’ll explain it upfront not surprise you after we arrive.
This transparency is what sets us apart. We believe Portland homeowners deserve honesty, not gimmicks.
Creosote: Why Proper Sweeping Matters
Another trick scammers use is pretending they’ve “cleaned” your chimney by brushing lightly. But here’s the truth:
- Stage 1 creosote looks like fluffy black soot or cooled lava. This is what a brush can remove.
- Stage 2 creosote is tar-like and sticky.
- Stage 3 creosote looks like hardened glaze or varnish it’s extremely flammable.
Wire brushes just skate over Stage 2 and 3 creosote. That’s why at Metro Chimney PDX, we educate homeowners. For heavy buildup, we recommend a safe anti-creosote spray regimen that you use with your fires. Over time, it transforms hardened creosote into a material that can be brushed away.
Compare that to companies charging $5,000 for so-called “one-time anti-creosote chemical removal.” Not only is that overpriced, but it doesn’t work creosote can’t be safely removed in a single treatment.
How to Protect Yourself from Chimney Sweep Scams
If you’re a Portland or Carver homeowner, here are a few tips:
- Ask for a firm quote upfront. If the price seems too low, ask what it actually covers.
- Check if they clean the smoke shelf. Many don’t, but it’s essential.
- Ask how they handle creosote. If they promise to “remove all creosote in one visit,” it’s a red flag.
- Look for local experience. Companies that don’t understand Portland’s damp climate often miss key issues like water leaks and moss damage.
Metro Chimney PDX: A Portland Chimney Company You Can Trust
For decades, Metro Chimney PDX has served Portland, Carver, Lake Oswego, Beaverton, and beyond with honest pricing and thorough service. We:
- Quote fair prices over the phone (no bait-and-switch).
- Vacuum every smoke shelf (a step many competitors skip).
- Educate you about creosote stages and safe prevention.
- Use methods that protect your chimney not damage it.
When you call us, you can be confident the price you hear is the price you’ll pay, and the work will be done the right way, every time.
FAQs – Chimney Sweep Scams in Portland
Q1: What’s the most common chimney sweep scam in Portland?
Companies quoting $85 over the phone, then charging $1,000+ by claiming the price only covers “the first 5 feet of the chimney.”
Q2: How can I tell if a chimney sweep is scamming me?
Watch for vague pricing, refusal to explain their process, or promises to remove all creosote in one visit. Honest sweeps give clear quotes and educate you.
Q3: Do all Portland chimney sweeps skip the smoke shelf?
No, but many stopped doing it years ago. At Metro Chimney PDX, we always vacuum the smoke shelf because it’s critical to your fireplace’s draft.
Q4: Why does creosote removal matter?
Creosote is highly flammable. Only Stage 1 can be brushed away. Stages 2 and 3 need a safe spray regimen over time not expensive “one-time chemical removals.”
Q5: Why trust Metro Chimney PDX?
We provide transparent quotes, complete cleanings (including smoke shelves), and local expertise tailored to Portland’s damp climate.