Chimney sweeps use a brush and rods to scrub the interior walls of your chimney. They may start inside or on the roof and will usually set up a drop cloth to minimize mess. They also use a dual HEPA filter vacuum to decrease dust levels in your home.
A dirty chimney can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and house fires. Regular chimney sweeping helps keep your family safe and comfortable. Contact Chimney Sweep Clean now!
If you’re experiencing odors in your home from the fireplace, it may be time to have your chimney professionally cleaned. While charcoal and fireplace deodorizers can help to mask some of the odors, they cannot eliminate them completely. Instead, you should have your chimney swept annually to remove soot and creosote from the chimney flue and fireplace. This will get rid of the odors and prevent them from coming back in the future.
When you burn wood in your fireplace, it produces a black, sticky tar-like substance called creosote. It’s a natural byproduct of wood burning, but it can be dangerous if left too long in your chimney. This is because it’s highly flammable, and it only takes an eighth inch of creosote to cause a chimney fire that could damage or even destroy your home.
During chimney sweepings, technicians use drop cloths to protect floors and furnishings, a high-powered HEPA rated vacuum for dust control, and wire brushes to scrub away brushable creosote deposits from your fireplace flue. If your chimney has a cap, it’s removed and replaced during the service to keep water out of the chimney system.
Leaks are another common source of unpleasant odors in the home. This can occur due to damaged flashing, cracked brick, or a missing chimney cap. When water mixes with creosote and soot, it can produce a musty smell that’s difficult to get rid of.
Chimney sweeps also inspect the interior of your chimney for any blockages. Animal nests, dead animals, or other debris may be clogging the chimney flue. This can be a health hazard, especially for allergy sufferers.
If you aren’t sure when your last chimney cleaning was, schedule one right away. A clean chimney will reduce smoke and odors, decrease wear on the chimney liner and masonry, and prevent dangerous chimney fires. If you use your fireplace frequently, consider having it cleaned twice a year. For more information about our chimney sweeping services, please contact us. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have. Our certified chimney professionals look forward to serving you.
Smoke Elimination
A dirty chimney vents toxic combustion byproducts into the home. Those include carbon monoxide and sulfuric acid which can eat into the masonry and metal parts of the chimney. A sweeping service eliminates these dangerous toxins and keeps the chimney safe to use.
Chimney fires, soot, and creosote also produce a sour sickly odor. This smell can be more pronounced in warm weather and after rain. Chimney sweeps can use a deodorizer or apply a waterproof sealant to the interior walls of the chimney to prevent this odor from coming into the house.
The most common reason homeowners call a chimney sweep is to address a chimney fire or soot. Fires can be very dangerous and require professional attention to put out. They can also damage a chimney and cause serious health problems for the occupants of the home. Chimney sweeps have specialized tools that can quickly and easily remove fire and smoke from a chimney.
In addition to using their hands and a brush, chimney sweeps can utilize tools like a blower or a power vacuum cleaner to clear soot and creosote from hard-to-reach areas. This includes the smoke chamber and the smoke shelf area where most chimney fires start. They can also use a telescoping chimney camera to detect any structural issues within the masonry that may be unsafe or in need of repair.
While some homeowners can tackle basic chimney maintenance tasks, a professional chimney sweep can discover more advanced problems. For example, a heavy creosote build-up can pose a fire risk and must be removed by a qualified technician. Chimney sweeps can also inspect the fireplace for signs of back-drafting such as smoke staining on the outside of the firebox.
In addition to utilizing the right tools, it is important for chimney sweeps to keep their schedule organized so they can serve more clients in a day. A task management tool such as OptimoRoute can help. This tool allows chimney sweeps to break down a chimney cleaning job into smaller tasks that can be assigned to different team members. This helps them stay on top of their work and boosts customer satisfaction.
Carbon Monoxide Leak Detection
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a deadly gas that can accumulate in homes without proper ventilation. It is a byproduct of fossil fuel combustion, including wood, gas, and oil. Inhalation of high concentrations of CO can lead to headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness. It can be emitted from chimneys, furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces. If not properly vented, it can also leak into living areas through cracks and structural issues. Chimney sweeps are a steadfast guardian against the silent killer, helping to prevent CO poisoning by ensuring that flues and chimneys are free of blockages and leaks.
Chimney sweeps are trained to recognize any potential issues that can arise during the cleaning and inspection process, and they will alert homeowners to these problems as well. A professional chimney sweep can recommend a range of repairs, from installation or replacement of a chimney cap to repair or replacement of a chimney liner and even masonry repairs. These minor repairs will help prevent the deterioration of your chimney and protect its structure as it continues to age.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends chimney sweeping and inspection services on an annual basis, but the frequency of these services can depend on usage. If your home uses wood-burning or gas burning appliances, your chimney needs to be inspected and cleaned more frequently.
Regular chimney sweepings can help to prevent carbon monoxide leaks, chimney fires, and soot and creosote buildup. These services also help to keep your heating system operating more efficiently and safely, saving you money on energy costs in the long run.
The cost of chimney sweeping services varies depending on the level of creosote and soot buildup, the time that has passed since your last cleaning, and any additional services or add-ons that you choose. A chimney with a heavy buildup of soot and creosote will take longer to clean, which will drive up the chimney sweep price. Similarly, adding a chimney cap or other additional add-ons will increase the overall price of your service. Transportation fees may also apply if your home is located outside of the sweep’s standard service area.
Prevention of Damage
Chimney fires are dangerous, costly and often deadly. Dirty chimneys tend to have a buildup of creosote, a highly flammable byproduct of burning wood and other solid fuel. Chimney sweeps remove this combustible material during cleanings to reduce the risk of chimney fires, which can damage or destroy homes and injure people. Keeping your fireplace and chimney clean also helps save energy by keeping heat inside your home instead of escaping up the chimney.
Chimney sweeps are trained to look for signs of problems that could lead to chimney failure or safety issues. They are particularly interested in the integrity of the chimney crown, which is the cement cap that prevents water, critters and debris from entering the masonry and flue lining. They can inspect and repair chimney crowns as part of their inspection and cleaning services.
The chimney crown can be damaged by rain, ice, wind and other weather events. If it is cracked or deteriorating, it can allow water to seep into the masonry and cause structural damage or chimney leaks. A chimney sweep will examine the crown and, if necessary, replace it to ensure that water isn’t leaking into the house or burning wood isn’t escaping the chimney.
Chimney sweeps can also replace or repair chimney liners and chimney caps. These repairs can also prevent water leaks, critters and debris from damaging the interior of your chimney or allowing smoke to escape. Some chimney sweeps also offer repair services to other heating appliances, such as gas or oil furnaces and boilers.
To prepare for your chimney sweep’s visit, be sure to keep furniture and other items away from the fireplace area. You can also cover the fireplace opening with a sheet or blanket to protect it from soot and debris that may fall off during the chimney sweeping process. Before the sweep arrives, make sure your fireplace has been cold for at least 24 hours.
When you hire a certified chimney sweep for a chimney sweeping & inspection, make sure the sweep is insured and certified by the CSIA (Chimney Industry Association of America). It’s best to schedule your chimney sweeping & inspection before the first frost arrives.