Chimney cleaning looks straightforward until you actually try it. Professional chimney sweeps have specialized brushes, industrial vacuums, and safety equipment that cost more than most homeowners want to spend for occasional use.More importantly, professionals know what dangerous conditions look like. Cracked flue liners, damaged chimney crowns, structural problems – these aren’t obvious to untrained eyes, but missing them can lead to house fires or carbon monoxide poisoning.The liability risk alone makes professional cleaning worth every penny. Damage your chimney or roof during DIY cleaning, or miss a critical safety issue, and you’re facing repair bills that dwarf the cost of proper professional service.