Well the thieves & bandits are at it again. I went to inspect a chimney on Maple Ave North in Westport today. The homeowner had recently hired a 'chimney sweep' from Long Island to clean her fireplace flue at a deeply discounted price. She was left uneasy by his super fast cleaning job and hard sell of additional repair services. Sure enough, her instincts were right. When I got there I found the fireplace flue was loaded with dangerous creosote deposits - it had barely been brushed out at all! Please beware of this scam. If a company calls to say they will be in the neighborhood and can clean your chimney for a low price, don't be fooled! If a company tells you repair work is required you should get at least one more opinion/quote. This is about more than being ripped off financially - it's about fire hazards and the safety of your family!