Here are some things to ask for when vetting different chimney sweeps:
- Can they provide references?
- Does the company or individual carry a valid business liability insurance policy to protect your home and furnishings against accidents?
- Does the company have good reviews on trusted websites?
What does a chimney that needs to be cleaned look like?
The things to look for when inspecting your chimney are black, oily spots on the walls of your fireplace, poorly burning fires, odors coming from the fireplace, and animals making noise inside the walls of your chimney.
What does a chimney sweep include?
What do they do? During a cleaning, the sweep will use specialized rods and brushes to remove blockages, soot, and buildup from within the fireplace, chimney liner, chimney cap, and throat of the chimney. This includes the smoke chamber, the smoke shelf, the damper, and the firebox.
What time of year should you get your chimney swept?
The best time to clean chimneys in your home is in the warmer months, between spring and late summer—essentially, before you need to think about lighting any fireplaces for warmth when the weather turns cold.
How many times a year should you get your chimney swept?
How often should you clean your chimney? Both the NFPA and Spisto recommend getting your chimney cleaned and inspected once a year by a qualified professional. Carli says that regardless of chimney type, you should you have your chimney swept at least one time a year.
What is the difference between chimney sweeping and chimney cleaning?
So, a fireplace flue cleaning and a chimney sweeping refer to the same process. During the service, the technician generally uses a stiff-bristled brush or other chimney cleaning system to brush the inside of the flue to remove creosote buildup from its walls.
How do I know if my chimney needs to be swept?
Here are seven tell-tale signs that indicate your chimney or fireplace needs cleaning:Your fireplace smells like a campfire. ... Fires burn oddly. ... It takes more effort to get a fire going and keep it going. ... Smoke fills the room. ... The fireplace damper is black. ... Fireplace walls have oily marks. ... There's evidence of animals.
How long does it take to sweep the chimney?
A typical chimney sweep and inspection can take 45 minutes to an hour. Rooftop Chimney Sweeps blocks off a 2 hour time slot just in case something comes up that causes the service to take longer to properly complete.
How long does it take for a professional to clean a chimney?
How long will it take? Every flue is different, but on average a thorough cleaning should take about 45 minutes to an hour. This time can increase substantially if there is creosote present in your flue, if the flue is damaged in any way, or if there are blockages such as birds' nests.
How often should you burn a chimney sweep log?
CSL Creosote Sweeping Log Burns like a standard fireplace log, while simultaneously cleaning your chimney. Flammable creosote that builds up along the walls of your chimney are neutralized and removed within 2 weeks. Use every 50 fires for best results.
How long can a chimney go without cleaning?
It simply depends on the creosote buildup. However, it is recommended that a chimney is cleaned after ever face cord of word, or every two years.
What happens if you never clean your chimney?
When your chimney is not cleaned for a long time, a substance called creosote keeps building up in the flue during the use of the fireplace. This creosote is highly flammable and can lead to a dangerous chimney fire (an uncontrolled 2000 degree fire burning inside the chimney).
Does chimney cleaning leave a mess?
When dealing with ashes, soot, burned logs, and potentially old pieces — yes it can create a mess. However, a good chimney sweep should carefully set up a drop cloth or plastic to protect your home, as well as a dual HEPA filter vacuum to keep dust levels down.
Is getting your chimney swept messy?
The process in which a chimney sweep performs a job involves several elements that we will touch on, and if you're wondering if it's a messy job — yes it is. However, when hiring a team of certified professionals, you are in better hands to receive a thorough job performed in a clean way.
How long does it take a chimney sweep to clean a chimney?
How long will it take? Every flue is different, but on average a thorough cleaning should take about 45 minutes to an hour. This time can increase substantially if there is creosote present in your flue, if the flue is damaged in any way, or if there are blockages such as birds' nests.
What happens if you don't sweep your chimney?
If you don't clean your chimney regularly, soot will accumulate around the flue causing an inability to draw smoke upwards. The smoke will then be directed to your room leaving black soot on the walls, furniture, and carpeting. It causes permanent staining around the chimney in some cases.
How many hours did chimney sweeps work?
Instead, they were nothing less than indentured servants, harshly treated and forced to work from dawn until dusk every day of the year but one. The small boys used as chimney sweeps were typically between 5 and 10 years of age, and some were as young as 4 years old.