DO I REALLY NEED A CHIMNEY SWEEP?

The purpose of a chimney sweep is to remove soot, creosote, blockages, and other dirt and debris from the chimney system, so that you can continue to safely use your fireplace. It helps prevent corrosive buildup, flammable byproducts, or dangerous blockages that can cause chimney fires.

So, what can you expect the process to include?

The sweep will clean soot, creosote buildup, and blockages from the:

• fireplace/firebox
• smoke shelf/smoke chamber
• damper, flue
• and chimney cap, if needed

Most chimney sweeps will perform an inspection on the same visit. Chimney inspections are vital because they allow a professional to check your entire system over and look for any potential issues or hidden flaws.

 How does a chimney sweep clean a chimney? Do they go on the roof?

Well, a chimney sweep may clean the chimney from the fireplace opening or from the roof – or they may spend time at both the fireplace and the top of the chimney. It is not always vital that the sweep go to the roof during a cleaning, so if they stay on the ground, don’t assume they haven’t done their job.

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.

Once all the debris is loosened, the sweep will use a HEPA vacuum to suck up any soot, creosote, or other debris – leaving you with a clean chimney and fireplace.

The truth is that it can be a little messy. While we try our very best to make as little mess as possible, it's going to happen! 

We wear booties over their shoes, lay tarps down to protect your floor and furniture, and capture soot and creosote using HEPA filters in our vacuums. This helps keep your home cleaner during your sweep.

Hiring an unprofessional chimney sweep can result in particles flying around in the home. It can land on anything and everything you own! 

 There are a few things you can do to help get your home ready for our technician:

• Remove valuables from the mantel, hearth, and the area close to the fireplace or stove.
• Clean out ashes and don’t use your appliance the day before or the day of your appointment.
• Move any items away from around the front of the fireplace.
• Make sure children and pets are not around the fireplace during cleaning.

Most chimney sweeps take about an hour. It can vary depending on what type of condition it's in. 

if there is a lot of build up, it can take almost twice the time. If you get a chimney sweep often, it can go quite a bit quicker!

Give us a call today to get your chimney swept. 

Remember a great maintenance tip is to always clean your stove AFTER the season so it is ready for use as soon as it gets cold again.