Licensed and Certified Chimney and Dryer Vent Technicians
question

How much is a chimney sweeping /cleaning?

 As consumers we are always looking for quality at a good price.Price will very from company to company. Some questions to ask your chimney sweep, as it may effect price should be:

  • Are the technicians who will be performing the work at my home Certified chimney sweeps? You can check this prior by visiting the CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) website or ask to see his Certified Chimney Chimney Sweep certification badge.
  • Will you need to be in the house to do the cleaning? If no, your sweep is not completing the job.
  • Are you a full chimney service company?
  • Do you visually or digital inspect?
  • Does the price include inspection?

Most will have insurance and will conduct sweeping using dust free equipment. Not all chimney sweeps are the same. Do your homework before you hire a chimney sweep!


What is a chimney inspection and do I need one?

 An annual Level I Inspection is required by the National Fire Protection Association. It will consist of a complete evaluation of the interior and exterior. From top to bottom, your chimney will be visually and or digitally examined. Any deterioration to mortar joints and you flue will be noted. The crown and flashing are checked for gaps separations and cracks. The firebox area including the damper and smoke chamber are also examined. The exterior masonry and the chimney cap is examined as well.


Should I have a chimney cap?

 Yes, All chimneys should be capped per NFPA code. Often we see only fireplace chimneys with caps. Caps will prevent rain and/or animals from getting inside your chimney. Most homeowners fear chimney fires and the damages they may cause. Water and moisture damages are far more common. Water proofing, crown sealer and chimney caps play a vital role in chimney preservation.


My damper is not operating , can it be repaired? Does it need to fully open and close?

 We can sometimes repair dampers that appear to be stuck or have been lifted off their brackets or track. Often they have been warped from excessive heat or rusted from moisture and need replaced. Your best solution is to install a top sealing damper. The damper is located at the top of the chimney. It is operated by a chain using a cable located in the firebox. This system will help prevention of unwanted water, animals inside the chimney when not in use.


I am selling my home what is required?

 National Fire Protection Association Guidelines require a Level II Inspection upon the sale or transfer of a property. A Level II inspection is more detailed and is indicated when verification of the suitability of the chimney is needed.


How long does a chimney sweeping and inspection take?

 Level I inspection and cleaning service takes approximately 45 minutes to and 1-1/2 hours to complete. There is no mess made in your home, and our competent technicians will use tarps to provide extra protection around your systems area.


I have water leaking in my masonry chimney. Help!

 There are many places a masonry chimney can leak. We check to see if you have a chimney cap. Your chimney is an uncovered hole at the top. Next check the flashing and it is a common point of entry. The flashing should be secured to all sides of the chimney facing the roof and be free of separations gaps or holes. Another area to check is the roof slopes toward the chimney and the pitch of the roof. If the roof is too step or the chimney is too wide, the roof should have a cricket built against the chimney to divert water away from it. The chimney crown should be free of cracks and should slope away from the chimney. And finally the masonry chimney brick should be checked for cracked or deteriorating mortar joints.


I heat my home with gas/ oil; should my chimney flue be checked and swept?

 Without a doubt! Although gas is generally a clean burning fuel, the chimney can become non-functional from bird nests or other debris blocking the flue. Most oil/gas companies DO NOT clean the chimney flue for your oil or gas furnace appliance.


My fireplace stinks, especially in the summer. What can I do?

 The smell is due to creosote deposits in the chimney, a natural byproduct of wood burning. The odor is usually worse in the summer when the humidity is high and the air conditioner is turned on. A good chimney sweeping will help, but usually won't solve the problem completely since brick is porous. There are commercial deodorants that our sweeps can offer. Many people have good results with baking soda or even kitty litter in the fireplace. The real problem is the air being drawn down the chimney, a symptom of overall pressure problems in the house. Some make up air should be introduced somewhere else in the house. A tight sealing , top mounted damper will also reduce this air flow coming down the chimney.


When I build a fire in my upstairs fireplace, I get smoke in the basement.

 This has become quite a common problem in modern air tight houses where weather proofing has sealed up the usual air filtration routes. The fireplace in use exhausts household air until a negative pressure situation exists. If the house is fairly tight, the simplest route for make up air to enter the structure is from the unused fireplace chimney. As air is drawn down this unused flue it picks up smoke that is exiting nearby from the fireplace in use and delivers the smoke to the other area. The best solution is to provide make up air to the house so the negative pressure problem no longer exists, thus eliminating not only the smoke problem, but also the potential for carbon monoxide to be drawn back down the furnace chimney. A secondary solution is to install a top sealing damper on the fireplace that is used the least.


What can I expect with an annual chimney/flue cleaning?

 We will clean all aspects of your fireplace, the firebox, the damper , smoke shelf, smoke chamber and the flue. After the cleaning is completed our technician will perform a full level 1 inspection( included in the price of the cleaning) and will review the service ticket with you and show you pictures of areas of concern. We have forward scheduling program , in which we will set up your next annual appointment with no hassles. The same friendly faces and friendly company year after year.


Will Clean Sweep clean the ashpit/ ashdump?

 Cleaning of the ashpit/ashdump is not included in the annual cleaning.


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