Before & After Gallery - Ashby Chimney San Diego

Chimney Cleaning Before & After in San Diego, CA

Photos of a clean flue are the fastest way to know exactly what you’re paying for when you book a sweep in San Diego. That’s why we document every job with a camera, not just a promise. The gallery below walks through real chimney cleaning scenarios we see across San Diego neighborhoods, from Carmel Valley to Point Loma, so you can see the difference between a chimney that’s been neglected and one that’s ready for burning season.

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Recent Transformations

Heavy Creosote Removal in a Rancho Bernardo Wood-Burning Fireplace

BeforeAfter

The problem: a homeowner in Rancho Bernardo called us after noticing a faint campfire smell in the living room on cool nights. Inside the flue, we found nearly a quarter-inch of glazed creosote, the hard, shiny kind that standard brushing won’t remove. What we did: our technician ran a rotary cleaning head with steel whips to break the glaze, then followed with a full brush pass and HEPA vacuum. The result: the flue was back to bare clay, the smell was gone, and the homeowner got photos of the full flue on our camera report before we left.

Bird Nest and Debris Blockage in a Chula Vista Chimney

BeforeAfter

The problem: a Chula Vista household heard scratching sounds from the fireplace and found twigs dropping onto the hearth. The chimney cap had rusted through, letting a starling build a nest about twelve feet down from the crown. What we did: we removed the nest with a retrieval tool, swept the flue clear of twig debris and droppings, then installed a new stainless chimney cap. The result: the flue passed a full draw test, and the homeowner could finally open the damper without a rain of debris.

Third-Stage Creosote in an Ocean Beach Gas-Converted Fireplace

BeforeAfter

The problem: an Ocean Beach homeowner bought a house with a fireplace that had been converted to gas years earlier, but the old wood-burning residue was still caked inside. Third-stage creosote looks like hardened tar and is a genuine fire hazard if not addressed. What we did: we used a chimney-specific chemical treatment followed by rotary cleaning to break the deposits loose, then swept and vacuumed everything out. The result: the flue was clean to the touch, and the homeowner could safely use their gas log set knowing the chimney wasn’t carrying decades of old fuel.

Water-Damaged Flue Liner Discovery in a La Mesa Inspection

The problem: during what the homeowner in La Mesa thought would be a simple sweep, our camera inspection revealed cracked clay flue liner tiles about halfway up the chimney. The cracks were letting heat and gases reach the chimney structure, which is exactly what a liner is supposed to prevent. What we did: we completed the sweep, then showed the homeowner the video footage on the spot. They opted for a HeatShield liner repair rather than a full rebuild. The result: the flue was sealed and safe, and they got the camera report proving it before we rang the invoice.

Decades of Soot in a Normal Heights Fireplace

The problem: a Normal Heights rental property had a fireplace that hadn’t been cleaned in several years, maybe far longer than that. The firebox was layered with soot so thick you couldn’t see the firebrick pattern anymore, and the smoke chamber was carrying a heavy coating too. What we did: we ran a full sweep from the firebox up through the smoke chamber and flue, then vacuumed and scrubbed the firebox brick. The result: the firebrick was visible again for the first time in years, and the property manager got photos for the owner’s file.

Animal Odor and Ash Removal in a Scripps Ranch Gas Fireplace

The problem: a Scripps Ranch homeowner kept noticing a sour smell every time the furnace kicked on. The gas fireplace vent shared a chase with the furnace exhaust, and the fireplace hadn’t been opened in years. Inside we found old ash, dust, and signs that a small animal had used the chase at some point. What we did: we cleaned the firebox, brushed the flue, and sanitized what we could access, then flagged the shared chase as something their HVAC contractor should inspect too. The result: the odor in the living room cleared up, and the family finally had a clean, working gas fireplace for the winter.

Want Results Like These?

Every chimney cleaning we do in San Diego gets the same treatment: camera documentation, a straight answer about what’s actually wrong, and a written price before anything starts. If your fireplace looks anything like the “before” photos above, it’s time to address it. Call (619) 693-1499 to book a sweep with Ashby Chimney San Diego.

Written by Nathan Corliss, Owner at Ashby Chimney San Diego, serving San Diego since 2002.