Chimney Sweep in Englewood, CO

Lizard Chimney Inc provides licensed, insured chimney sweep services in Englewood, CO, specializing in fire-safe cleaning, inspections, and repairs for homes in this historic Denver suburb. We serve neighborhoods like Bow Mar and Englewood Hills with same-day appointments and free estimates.

Why Englewood, CO homeowners trust us for a chimney sweep that actually prevents fires

Most Denver-area chimney sweeps clean flues, but few focus on the real danger: creosote buildup that ignites in Englewood’s older brick chimneys. Built in the 1950s–70s, many Englewood homes have single-wythe masonry chimneys that crack under Colorado freeze-thaw cycles. We don’t just sweep—we inspect for cracks wider than a credit card, missing flue liners, and deteriorating mortar joints that let heat escape into combustible framing. Our CSIA-certified crews use rotary brushes sized for Englewood’s 8-inch and 10-inch flues, then pressure-test for leaks with a calibrated smoke pencil. After every chimney sweep, we leave a digital report showing code-compliant clearances to your Denver, CO-adjacent roof lines. Families in the Highline Canal neighborhood sleep easier knowing their chimney passes NFPA 211 standards before the first snow flies.

The most common Englewood chimney myth that costs homeowners thousands

Myth: “A chimney sweep is just a seasonal cleaning.” Reality: In Englewood, where wood stoves and fireplaces run October through March, creosote can harden into Stage 3 glaze in as little as 60 fires. That’s why the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends a Level 2 inspection every year for homes in Englewood’s older subdivisions like Cragmor or Englewood Downs. We’ve pulled 2-inch thick creosote from flues behind fireplaces in just two seasons—enough fuel for a chimney fire that could spread to your Denver, CO-style cedar shake roof. A proper sweep removes every gram of carbonized wood, then seals cracks with high-temperature mortar rated for Colorado’s temperature swings.

What most Englewood homeowners get wrong about carbon monoxide and chimney draft

Englewood sits 5,280 feet above sea level, and every 1,000-foot gain reduces oxygen for combustion. If your fireplace smells like campfire every time you light it, your chimney likely has negative draft caused by a cracked flue liner or a blocked cap—common in homes near the Platte River floodplain where humidity rises in spring. We install draft-inducing liners and top-mounted caps that resist wind gusts off I-25. After each chimney inspection, we measure CO at the register with a calibrated detector; readings above 35 ppm trigger an immediate repair order. Don’t gamble with silent killer gases—schedule a sweep before Denver’s winter inversion traps exhaust near your Englewood roofline.

How Englewood’s freeze-thaw cycles destroy chimneys faster than anywhere in Colorado

Englewood’s 230 annual freeze-thaw days crack mortar joints faster than in the Front Range foothills. Water enters hairline fractures, freezes, expands, and pops bricks like popcorn. By spring, many Englewood chimneys look intact from the curb but leak heat and carbon monoxide into attics. We waterproof every exterior masonry surface with vapor-permeable sealant that won’t trap moisture inside. For flues with missing clay liners, we reline with stainless-steel sleeves rated for 2,100°F—critical for Englewood’s wood-burning culture. Ask about our spring special: free waterproofing with any chimney sweep booked before May 15.

Why your Englewood chimney sweep should also check the damper and chase

Most sweeps stop at the flue, but in Englewood’s split-level homes built in the 1960s, the chase (the wood-framed enclosure around the chimney) often hides rotted framing or missing fire stops. We remove the chase cover, inspect for gaps wider than 1/8 inch, and replace deteriorated fire-stop insulation with mineral wool rated for 1,200°F. We also grease dampers with high-temp graphite so they open smoothly—critical after Denver’s summer humidity swells wood doors. A chase inspection costs nothing when bundled with a Level 2 inspection and can prevent a $4,000 attic rebuild if embers escape through a rotted chase wall.

The Englewood-specific schedule every fireplace owner should follow

Denver’s air quality alerts often coincide with Englewood’s peak burning season (November–February). To stay safe, we recommend: 1) Chimney sweep before the first fire in October, 2) Level 1 inspection mid-season if you burn more than 2 cords, 3) Level 2 inspection after 50 fires or before selling your home—whichever comes first. Homes in Englewood’s newer subdivisions like The Orchards may only need a sweep every other year, but older brick chimneys in the Belleview neighborhood should be inspected annually. Book a free estimate and we’ll tailor a plan to your exact usage and chimney type.

How to spot a chimney sweep in Englewood who isn’t CSIA-certified

Watch for crews that arrive with a leaf blower instead of rotary brushes, or who skip the ladder inspection of your Denver, CO-style roof. True Englewood specialists carry CSIA ID cards, use drop cloths rated for 300°F, and provide a written report with photos. We post our certification numbers on every invoice and guarantee our work for one year. If a sweep claims “city permits aren’t required,” walk away—Englewood follows the International Residential Code and requires permits for relining or structural repairs. Always ask for proof of liability insurance covering at least $1 million.

Frequently Asked Questions