New Year & New Routines

Posted by Elizabeth on January 12th, 2021

The New Year has started. So, that means everyone wants to improve themselves, why not also improve the maintenance of your home? Repairs go left undone when people neglect to maintain a routine. One annual routine, as a homeowner, should know is to have their chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned.

Throughout the year, mainly the fall and winter months, your chimney collects a build-up of creosote. Having build-up creosote can lead to a chimney fire. Getting your chimney professionally cleaned will increase efficiency throughout the year. Starting the New Year off with a clean chimney will provide you with a sense of clarity before the first burn. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Chimney Safety Institution of America (CSIA) among others recommend annual chimney and fireplace sweeps and inspections.

Not only maintaining a clean fireplace help keep you, your family, and your home safe but also helps boost the efficiency of the fireplace resulting in lower costs of heating the home.

Reasons for Fireplace Cleaning

Our technicians are trained with the knowledge to properly clean your chimney. Their background knowledge should give you peace of mind with the final result. You should rest assured knowing that you’re receiving top-quality chimney maintenance and professional fireplace cleaning. 

• Save you hours or days of labor if hired a professional (takes them forty-five minutes to an hour of cleaning)
• The cleaning process leaves soot, dust, and ash everywhere. Our technicians are equipped with the proper vacuums that are designed for quick and efficient cleaning.
• Sweeps are equipped with professional-grade tools that ensure a thorough sweep of the chimney walls. The equipment is designed to effectively complete fireplace cleaning and remove creosote from the walls.
• Being on the roof is part of the cleaning process. It is best to leave this to the professionals.
• Trained sweeps can identify signs of damage to the fireplace, chimney, and other components of the heating and venting system. If diagnosed early, any damages can be repaired promptly and efficiently to avoid further deterioration.

Fireplace Cleaning Tips

• Only burn seasoned wood in order to reduce the amount of hazardous creosote buildup in the fireplace and chimney
• Avoid using household cleaners when cleaning the fireplace due to the flammable residue they leave behind. Only use cleaners designed for strictly cleaning the fireplace.
• Remove ashes routinely to allow plenty of air to get to the firewood on the grate. This will help the fire burn efficiently and consequently reduce heating costs.
• Sprinkle used tea leaves or damp coffee ground over cooled ashes to reduce the amount of dust when removing the ashes.

Inspection Levels

Level 1: The most common of the three inspections and recommended if you have been using your fireplace regularly. This level is where the fireplace cleaning contractor examines accessible portions of the chimney using a flashlight and without any special tools.

Level 2: This level is recommended if you are planning on making changes in the use of your chimney (change in the type of fuel used, relining the flue, or if there was an accident or damage). This level is required before selling your property. This type of inspection uses a video camera is used to examine the flue and check for cracks or damage to the joints in the structure.

Level 3: This inspection is the most detailed. This level will also examine the concealed areas of the chimney by removing certain parts of the building or structure if deemed necessary.

Sources

sootmaster.net

guardianchimneysweeps.com

advancedfireplacetechnician.com

fireplacedoctor.net

sootaway.net