Steven Carter likes to keep the company he founded, Chimney Sweeps Inc., in the family.
His wife, Valerie, handles the finances. His sister Georgia answers the phone during the day. Son Julian is in charge of the office, and son Ariel often does special installations or general inspections, Carter says on the company website.
According to the website, Carter has swept more than 40,000 chimneys since starting in 1983.
The company, founded in 1985, is a licensed chimney contractor certified through the National Fireplace Institute. It is headquartered in Lakeside but works throughout San Diego County.
Michelle Viesca of Chimney Sweeps provided answers to the following questions from the La Jolla Light.
Q. How did Chimney Sweeps start?
A. After moving to San Diego from Los Angeles, where our owner apprenticed under a master chimney sweep.
Q. What is its mission?
A. The mission of Chimney Sweeps Inc. is to safeguard and improve the warmth and functionality of chimneys and fireplaces throughout the San Diego region.
Q. What services do you offer?
A. From cleaning and inspection to installations, repairs and rebuilds, we are full-time, full-service chimney and fireplace contractors.
Q. What makes Chimney Sweeps unique compared with similar businesses?
A. It is uncommon to find the attention and care of a small family business combined with the quality and expertise of San Diego’s largest chimney and fireplace service company. With everything under one roof, Chimney Sweeps Inc. is a one-stop shop for any of your chimney or fireplace needs.
Q. What’s new with the business that you want everyone to know about?
A. We have recently partnered with some of the leading manufacturers, designers and innovators in the industry, such as Regency, Dimplex, Blaze Kind, Real Fyre and many more, in order to bring our clients the highest-quality, gas, wood-burning and electric fireplaces in the industry.
Q. What is the company’s direct involvement in La Jolla?
A. The La Jolla region holds a special place in our hearts … and our commitment to this beautiful coastal region has unwavered throughout the years.
Chimney Sweeps’ hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. To learn more, call (619) 593-4020 or (800) CHIMNEY (244-6639), email info@chimneysweepsinc.com or visit chimneysweepsinc.com.
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