What Services do Chimney Sweeps Provide?
Chimney sweeps continue to be one of the most important service providers for homeowners who have a fireplace or freestanding stove in their homes. Clogged chimneys and malfunctioning fireplace components cause deadly home fires and incidents of carbon monoxides poisoning in thousands of households every year. Regular fireplace maintenance is your best defense to protect your loved ones and your home from these risks. That is why the National Fire Protection Association recommends having your chimney inspected and cleaned at least once a year.
Chimney cleanings and inspections aren’t the only services that chimney sweeps provide. Chimney sweeps who have been qualified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (), are qualified to:
(1) Provide maintenance for gas, pellet and wood burning fireplaces, fireplace inserts and freestanding stoves
(2) Repair structural issues with the chimney and chimney components
(3) Assess whether or not your chimney meets the EPA’s clean air standards as well as current building codes and clearance requirements
(4) Recommend methods to reduce the formation of creosote (a flammable byproduct of burning fuels like wood and pellets)
(5) Install a new heating appliance such as a fireplace insert or stove
-qualified chimney sweeps who are also active members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) are even more knowledgeable. To be a part of the NCSG, they have to continue their education and keep up to date with the newest best practices, tools and products.
The Most Common Services Chimney Sweep Provide:
– Chimney Inspection and Cleaning
– Chimney Video Scan
– Chimney Waterproofing
– Wood or Pellet Stove Installation
– Chimney Crown Repair
– Chimney Cap Installation
– Chimney Relining or Chimney Liner Installation
– Masonry Repair
– Fireplace Insert Installation
– Chimney Flashing Repairs
This isn’t even an exhaustive list of all of the services that they provide. If you are having any type of issue with your fireplace or chimney, aqualified chimney sweep should be able to fix it or recommend a solution.
What Should You Expect When You Hire a Chimney Sweep?
When a chimney sweep arrives at your home, they will bring in a variety of tools: drop clothes, long-handled brushes, ladders, and flashlights. They may bring video equipment as well if they need to do a Level 2 or Level 3 inspection. (These inspections are typically scheduled after a Level 1 inspection if the chimney sweep notices warning signs that there may be damage within the chimney). If you have any furniture that is close to the fireplace, you should move it back so that the chimney sweep can have easy access.
Professional chimney sweeps, like ours, will always lay drop clothes down on the floor around the fireplace to catch any ashes, pieces of creosote and other debris that may fall down the chimney. We also vacuum around the chimney before we leave so that your home looks as good when we leave as it did when we arrived.
For a cleaning and inspection, you can expect to spend between $75 – $200 depending on the size of the chimney. Most professional chimney sweeps combine the cost of a cleaning and Level 1 inspection. A Level 1 inspection includes all visible components of the fireplace and chimney: the damper, the crown and chimney cap, the chimney lining, the firebox and the masonry. During this inspection, the chimney sweep will look for any signs of deterioration or damage.
What may look like a small issue to you may be a significant warning sign to an experienced eye. Small flaws in the chimney lining can create pathways for carbon monoxide or hot embers to get into your home. Cracks in the crown or masonry can let in water which can deteriorate the structure of the chimney and lead to expensive damage. If any damage is found, you should receive photographic or video evidence along with a details report that includes all of the potential solutions available. It is smart to get a second opinion if a chimney sweep recommends expensive repairs.
Your safety is worth the investment! Catching problems early and keeping your chimney free of large deposits of creosote can save you hundreds of dollars and protect you from serious harm.
If you need a cleaning, inspection or another chimney service, give us a call! All of our chimney sweeps are qualified and members of the NCSG because we believe you deserve to receive the best service from the most knowledgeable and professional chimney sweeps in Connecticut.