A chimney sweep is more than looking up the chimney with a mirror, and it’s less than a full-blown, top-to-bottom inspection. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association recommend both sweeps and inspections for optimum safety and efficiency of your chimney system.
Why Your Chimney Needs It
Every time you burn a fire it produces soot and creosote that can buildup in your chimney over time. Creosote is primarily tar and can become a hazard quickly through a process of melting and cooling. Every time the creosote melts and hardens again, it becomes a more condensed fuel that is a serious fire hazard.
A dirty chimney can cause other problems as well, such as clogged parts like the damper. If there is too much buildup of debris in the chimney’s throat, a damper may not close completely, causing loss of heat and lowered efficiency. Anytime the chimney’s efficiency goes down the risk of fire goes up. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to chimney maintenance.
Preparing for Your Sweep
To prepare for your chimney sweep you should discontinue use of the fireplace prior to your appointment. Then you should remove valuables from the mantel to insure that nothing is damaged in the cleaning process. Clear a space in front of the fireplace opening of 5 or 6 feet so that your chimney sweep has space for his tools and equipment.
What to Expect
- Secured Work Area
Your Certified Chimney Sweep will secure the work area with plastic tarps in order to contain the mess. When the work is underway, there will be a lot of dust and soot that shouldn’t affect the house because of the plastic barrier. The floors will be protected by drop clothes and as he works, your sweep will use an industrial vacuum cleaner to collect the debris. - Tools and Time
The chimney sweep will use brushes to remove the creosote and soot from the chimney. Since glazed creosote is more difficult to remove, he may need to use a chemical solvent before brushing. Your sweep will bring all of the tools and equipment required to complete the job, and should be done fairly quickly. - Expert Advice
Your chimney sweep offers expert advice and some don’t mind homeowners watching them work. In fact, Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service sweeps encourage customers to watch and ask questions because we believe the best way to prevent house fires is to educate our customers, one home at a time. - Pricing
At Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service we offer both emergency and non-emergency services. We understand that issues can come up abruptly, and that costs can seem daunting. At Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service we have partnered with a home improvement financing company to better serve our customers.
Contact Us
Don’t let the cost or the scheduling deter you from keeping up with routine maintenance like a chimney sweep. A Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service professional is a fireplace and chimney expert who will leave your chimney clean from top to bottom. Their main goal is your safety and comfort.
You can schedule an appointment with Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service by phone or online today.
