At the very bottom of the chimney, often located in the … Even though the chimney sweep log will make the job easier, it isn’t enough. Burning creosote cleaning logs first can make the job easier, and consulting a professional or the local fire department is also a smart option. It is a proud member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and offers chimney cleaning, repairs, and maintenance services to commercial and residential properties. Remember, safety first! If creosote is present, it's best to hire a professional to clean your chimney. Our experienced chimney sweeps have cleaned well over 10,000 chimneys in over 26 years servicing the Indianapolis and surrounding area. Regardless, the vacuum should be running the entire time to ensure that the air and the floor of your home remain clean during the entire process. In extreme cases, the hardened layer of buildup requires cleaning with special tools or chemicals. This should be done before the chimney is used at the beginning of winter. More about us. First and foremost, you should learn about the importance of cleaning your chimney. Annual maintenance, which includes cleaning and inspection, is recommended. Save $25 Off Chimney Sweep and Dryer Vent Cleaning, Save Up To $200 Off of Your Masonry Repair. This makes a professional chimney sweep's job much easier, but still necessary. A fireplace cleaning log helps to prevent chimney fires and they help remove debris deposited along the chimney walls. The most important reason why you need to have an annual chimney cleaning is to confirm that you are burning in the correct way as to not put your home at risk of a fire. Avoid dangerous work. Certified chimney sweeps offer many chimney services like chimney cleaning, chimney repair, masonry repair, chimney caps, fireplace cleaning, fireplace insert and wood stove sales and installation in all of central Connecticut. Same as a wood-burning setup, gas fireplace chimneys should be inspected and cleaned once a year. While soot is more easily removable, creosote sticks to the chimney lining, which can be dangerous because it's extremely flammable. Burning aluminum cans can be a possible solution t… Chimney Sweep Cost. It's a potentially dangerous and very dirty job and better left to the professionals in most cases. Feel free to reach out and start the conversation. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Organize Any Closet in the House with These Tips, Here's How to Keep Your Pillows Fresh and Clean, How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies, Once and for All. West Hartford CT 06110. It has an installed insert in the fireplace with a properly sized liner. Maintaining a clean fireplace and chimney results in more efficient, safer fires. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. And yes—we said flammable. Burning a regular wood fire before adding the log softens tar buildup inside the chimney, which makes the chimney-cleaning log more effective. If you have any questions about your fireplace, fireplace safety, masonry, or the overall chimney service, this will be the time to ask. These Christmas Front Doors Are Nothing but Merry, 27 Most Delicious Christmas Dinner Casserole Ideas. The chimney still plays an essential role in ventilation for a gas fireplace, and if there’s anything wrong in its structure, the passage of the draft is compromised. The role of a chimney sweep is to clean chimneys, smoke ducts, fireplaces and flue pipes in order to prevent gas emissions and soot fires. Once a year. Leave the hassle to us. Any issues with these questions warrants a call to a professional. Of all the chores you scramble to stay on top of in your home (cleaning brass, cleaning grout, cleaning up mold, regular cleaning), chances are, cleaning the chimney is not at the top of your list. When you burn a fire in your fireplace, two things happen: Chimney soot builds up, as well as creosote, which is a heavy, thick, oily residue similar to tar that's a byproduct of burning wood. There should be specific instructions as well as a recommendation for a cleaning kit and/or supplies. Chimney cleaning or chimney sweeping is a good idea at the start and the end of the season. If you … Does the chimney of a gas fireplace need to be cleaned? Chimney sweeps may see 40 to 50 chimney fires a year, and more than half of the chimneys they service require extra cleaning because the homeowners wait too long before calling. for a. Midtown Chimney Sweeps was founded in 1979 and provides chimney services around the country and Canada. The chimney cleaners are a smokeshaft solution contractor that offers timber burning fireplace installation, chimney examination, as well as fireplace starter repair work. Before you light up the fireplace this season, you should do your due diligence by having your chimney both cleaned and properly inspected. Creosote is a byproduct of wood burning and is responsible for hundreds of chimney fires across the state. A chimney sweeper can do an inspection to make sure the chimney is clean, and everything is functioning properly. But it's not that simple, since there's a slew of necessary supplies for the inside and outside of your home to consider before tackling this task. Call the pros to get the job done safely. Preferably by a professional chimney service company certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. The goal is to scrape all the coating that has built up from fires off of the chimney lining so that it falls down the chimney to be carefully vacuumed and swept away before departing. A professional chimney cleaning will ensure that your chimney is clear of creosote or other obstructions that could catch fire or prevent the smoke and other gases from venting outdoors. The role of a chimney sweep is to clean chimneys, smoke ducts, fireplaces and flue pipes in order to prevent gas emissions and soot fires. When you light a fire, unburnt gasses from the combustion process travel up your chimney where they are released into the outside air. A dirty chimney can prevent harmful gases from leaving your home even cause chimney fires in the most serious of cases. There are numerous ways to do so. While you're cozied up in front of the fireplace gazing into the crackling flames, sooty buildup and flammable residue aren't exactly romantic things to think about (out of sight, out of mind, right?). How Do I Start My Fireplace For the First Time? … How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Chimney? Avoiding important routine chimney maintenance can cause big (and costly) problems down the road. Move any furniture and decor out of the way, and cover it just in case. Although it is important to keep your chimney, fireplace or woodstove clean, this task can be hazardous for someone who isn't trained. A chimney caked in creosote is a fire hazard and should never be ignored, but removing all that gunk takes more than soap and water. There is a real risk that your uncleaned chimney is going to result in a house fire. 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. If you want to save some cash, you can remove chimney soot yourself. Keep your chimney in good working order to avoid costly and dangerous problems in the future. (If you're having visions of Dick Van Dyke as Bert the chimney sweep in Mary Poppins, you're not alone—but this is serious stuff!). Cleaning out the inside of the fireplace can be done with the shovel and broom from the tool set or with a vacuum designed for fireplace. We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and satisfaction. This fee should include both an inspection (for overall safety evaluation) and a full cleaning, or sweep. The most important thing you can do … The fireplace chimney and furnace system is quite complicated and an inspection can alert you to a potential problem before it becomes a costly repair or a safety issue. Chimney brushes are the tools of choice for cleaning chimney soot. A fireplace’s flue with soot and creosote can put your home at risk for a chimney flue fire. The whole chimney service process can take anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on whether the homeowner has prepared the area before arrival and whether questions arise regarding fire safety in their home. First, consult your owner's manual. This could force dangerous fumes from a fire back into your home. Creosote deposited over a long period becomes highly flammable and it’s often the cause of chimney fires. A Chimney Sweep Does More Than Clean. It is a delicate process that involves careful inspection of the structure and integrity of the chimney and fireplace, attention to detail, safety, and special chimney sweeping tools and equipment to ensure that everything from your fireplace glass and brick, to your flue pipes and chimney caps, and … There’s a fair amount of misconception about how these logs work, though. Yes and yes, but you should have realistic expectations. How Often Should You Have Your Chimney Inspected? Enjoy the warmth of a well-kept fireplace. Are the offsets in the chimney clean and in good condition? Vented gas logs generate some soot and carbon just like wood burning fires and can leave deposits in the chimney the same way. Wood-burning fireplaces are warm, cozy and attractive, but they require proper maintenance, or the consequences could be quite severe. Additionally, a chimney sweep has knowledge and skills regarding fire prevention work and follows specific guidelines and procedures that guarantee a thorough and professional job. Forms of preventative maintenance. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), chimney fires can reach 2,000F, which is hot enough to crack masonry chimney liners and potentially start a fire in the surrounding wood framing. When it comes to DIY chimney cleaning, the obvious question is- what to burn to clean chimney, then rock salt is the first answer. Your Christmas Dessert Table Needs These Recipes. Make sure a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® inspects your solid fuel venting system annually, and sweeps and repairs it whenever needed. When you burn a sweeping log, the creosote dries up into a flaky consistency. A basic chimney sweep for a fireplace with a single flue costs $149 to $185 which includes a chimney inspection. It’s always helpful if the homeowner makes sure that the fireplace is easily accessible. Clean chimneys don’t catch fire. Creosote removal is vital to your safety. Mention this website! Here at Chimney and Masonry Outfitters, if we see something that is not right, we will notify you and perform a more detailed inspection. As you can already see, this is a bad combination. With that being said, you should keep the chimney clean. Building A Firewood Shed Country Living participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. And most importantly, burning a sweeping log should not replace an annual chimney cleaning! You should get your chimney inspected or cleaned at least once a year for all types of fireplaces. Regular cleaning is necessary for fire safety, so let the experts at Scott Bovy Chimney Sweeps take care of it for you. Shane C. Construction started as fireplace and chimney cleaning and sweeping service. We never do any repairs or work without the customer’s permission, but it is our duty to report on any deficiencies in the system. But safety comes first: This isn't just any ol' DIY—you'll be on the roof, after all. ... Chimney fires can destroy the integrity of the fireplace flue and cause major instability and damage that you don’t even know about. "In order to reduce the dangers of creosote, cleaning the chimney before you start to use it often is crucial to reducing fire hazards," says Wilson. There is one type of chimney that could most likely be cleaned by the homeowner, though. 860-233-5770. Don’t forget to get your chimney swept annually. They inform homeowners about correct burning techniques so they are not at risk of a fire, and clean from the bottom reaching the firebox, smoke chamber damper, smoke shelf, and flue liner. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Find out how to clean your chimney here, how often you (or a professional) should be doing so, and more chimney maintenance 101. Let our team of professional put you out of risk of a fire and come perform a thorough chimney sweep with camera inspection for just $89! Do we have your attention now? We provide chimney cleaning, smokeshaft building and construction, fireplace cleaning and also various other solutions. When you burn a fire, you’re going to be creating creosote. Chimney problems can lead to the smoke going inside the home instead of out or can start a fire. Smokeshaft examination and fireplace starter repair in addition to other solutions. This content is imported from {embed-name}. Finish the Job Clean the flue's entrance. Do You Know How to Hang Christmas Lights? The material is highly flammable. According to the National Fire Protection Association, chimney cleaning or inspections should take place annually. Yes and no. This material will accumulate on the inside of the chimney. Your fireplace may look clean but your chimney may not be in the same condition. It's not so much the creosote to worry about as a bird's nest might need to be removed. Making a chimney and fireplace clean and safe for use goes beyond just chimney sweeping and brushing surfaces. Unfortunately, as the warm gasses travel up the chimney they come into contact with the colder chimney flue causing the unburnt particles to condense and adhere to the inside of the flue. As it burns, the cleaning log releases chemicals that adhere to the chimney walls, loosening tar and creosote buildup or rendering it less likely to cause a fire. 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. A chimney free of debris lets you enjoy your fireplace without worry, and that’s the ultimate goal, right? Additionally, a chimney sweep has knowledge and skills regarding fire prevention work and follows specific guidelines and procedures that guarantee a thorough and professional job. Be sure that access to the fireplace and chimney is clear so that the chimney sweep can do their job. 46239, things to consider when hiring a chimney sweep, chimney sweep with camera inspection for just $89, Spring Cleaning: Now is the Time to Schedule a Sweep, 5 Questions to Consider When Hiring a Chimney Sweep. Minimize creosote build-up to prevent chimney fires. Chimney cleaning is needed to remove creosote deposits and other debris from chimneys and vents. $10 OFF Northeastern Chimney LLC. Chimney flare ups are primarily the result of built up creosote, an extremely combustible residue buildup on chimney walls after burning wood. Our sweeps are punctual, cordial, and equipped with … Chimney cleaning logs, also known as creosote sweeping logs, are marketed as an easy way to deal with this sticky problem. "Another incentive for cleaning your fireplace or chimney in the fall is that hiring a professional to do the work for you is usually cheaper this time of year, as opposed to winter when they are busier." So to prevent the build-up of dirt, how often does your chimney need sweeping? Modern prefabricated metal chimneys are specially treated to withstand the high temperatures of a chimney fire without suffering severe damage. The process begins with the incomplete combustion of fuel in the attached appliance, usually a wood or coal stove, or open fire. To save yourself the time of cleaning up a mess later, take proper steps to protect the inside of your home (think: drop cloths and plastic tarps to seal off the area from all the dust), protect yourself with the appropriate gear (protective goggles, a dust mask, a sturdy ladder), and purchase the right types of chimney brushes for the job. Should they suffer damage from a chimney fire, the professional recommendation is to no longer use the chimney until you replace the unit. The unburned volatiles are heated to the vapor state but not consumed due to a lack of adequate heat and oxygen within the appliance. The same issues (creosote and soot buildup) occur in wood stove chimneys as well as regular fireplace chimneys. Getting your chimney professionally cleaned by a Professional Chimney Sweep removes soot and creosote, before a blockage or chimney fire can occur. 37 Cody Street. 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