We Provide Thorough, Reliable & Mess-Free Chimney Sweeping Services
We keep your home fires burning where you want them, and only where you want them! We’re proud of the work we do to help homeowners keep their chimneys as safe as possible and functioning as efficiently as possible. Chimney cleaning (chimney sweeping) is a big part of that process. Regular service, whether you call it “chimney cleaning” or “chimney sweeping,” keeps your chimney clear of debris (leaves, bird mess, etc.), and more importantly, limits the buildup of the highly-combustible creosote deposits at any given time. The accumulation of creosote in a flue is a leading cause of chimney fires.
Why Do I Need To Have My Chimney Swept?
Your fireplace, stove or insert is a combustion heating appliance, and regardless of the fuel you’re using, there are always by-products of combustion. These by-products include toxic gases, sometimes flammable debris, and creosote. Over time and use, creosote builds up on the walls of your flue.
Creosote buildup is a natural result of using your fireplace or stove. Your fuel burns, and if it doesn’t reach a high enough temperature to burn completely in the firebox, smoke and gases result. That hot smoke rises up your chimney, through your flue, and when it meets the comparatively cooler walls of the chimney, condensation occurs. First as a liquid and then solid particulates stick to the flue walls. As you use your appliance again and again, the creosote builds up in layers. The more layers of creosote, the more of a fire hazard it becomes. Thick creosote build-up can block the flue, impede your chimney’s draft, and/or ignite from an errant spark, leading to a chimney or home fire.
When Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps technicians sweep your chimney, we remove soot and creosote, helping improve your chimney’s draft and minimizing the chance of fires.
When Should I Schedule A Chimney Sweeping With Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps?
The best time to schedule your chimney sweeping/chimney cleaning will vary, depending on how much use your appliance gets, the type of fuel you use, how you use it, and other factors. A good rule of thumb for homeowners using a wood-burning fireplace or stove is, if you burn around one cord of wood during the heating season, you should have the chimney swept at the end of the season. Overall, if the thickness of creosote deposits reaches 1/8 inch thick, the chimney should be swept. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends inspecting a chimney annually and having it “cleaned” as needed.
What Is The Chimney Sweeping Process Like?
Professional chimney sweeping, while not brain surgery, is a detailed process, and each step is designed to ensure a properly-cleaned system. Interestingly, there is a bit of chimney math and science involved in determining if it is functioning properly.
Our first step is to perform an initial inspection to determine the level of creosote buildup and the need for chimney sweeping. Once the sweeping process begins, we protect the area around the chimney with thick drop cloths, and use a powerful vacuum system to collect airborne soot and stray dust. We use special equipment to sweep the smoke chamber, firebox and flue. As part of our sweeping process, we perform an NFPA Level 1 inspection, looking for deterioration, weather-related damage, voids or cracks in flue tile liners, structural problems, inadequate clearance to combustibles or performance related issues. Should we detect any problems, we will give you a complete condition report and make the appropriate recommendations for possible resolutions. It may be necessary to perform a more in-depth inspection to give you complete information. If that is the case, we will discuss anything that will increase cost before we do it.
When the whole process is complete, you can be confident that you have a properly-swept chimney system that leaves your chimney as “clean” as possible and that you are up to speed on your system’s overall condition.
How Do I Prepare My Home for a Chimney Sweep?
A little preparation before your appointment helps the process go smoothly and keeps your home clean while we work. Here’s what we recommend before our technician arrives:
- Clear the area around your fireplace. Remove décor, furniture, or rugs within a few feet of the hearth. This gives our technician room to work and protects your belongings from dust.
- Make sure the fireplace is completely cool. If you’ve had a fire recently, allow at least 24 hours for the firebox to cool before your appointment.
- Secure pets and children in another room. Our equipment can be loud and startling, so keeping them away from the work zone keeps everyone comfortable.
- Give us a heads-up about access. If your home has a specific entry point or parking situation, letting us know in advance saves time and gets us started sooner.
Does a Chimney Sweep Include an Inspection?
A standard chimney sweep and a formal inspection are two separate services, though our technicians always take note of any visible concerns during a cleaning. A CSIA-certified inspection provides a thorough, documented evaluation of your chimney’s condition, from the firebox to the crown, and is recommended annually or before purchasing a home. Many homeowners choose to schedule both services together, and we’re happy to accommodate that. It’s often the most efficient way to stay on top of your chimney’s overall health.
What Are the Risks of Not Having My Chimney Swept Regularly?
Skipping regular chimney sweeping isn’t just a maintenance oversight. It can lead to genuine hazards that put your home and family at risk. Here’s what tends to develop when sweeping is neglected:
- Creosote accumulation. Creosote is a highly flammable byproduct of burning wood. When it builds up on chimney walls, it becomes a leading cause of chimney fires.
- Blockages from debris or animal nesting. Birds, squirrels, and leaf buildup can obstruct your flue, causing carbon monoxide to back up into your living space.
- Undetected structural damage. Cracks, liner deterioration, and moisture intrusion go unnoticed without regular service, quietly worsening over time.
- Reduced efficiency. A dirty chimney restricts airflow, causing your fireplace or heating appliance to perform poorly and work harder than it should.
Reach Out Today
To keep your family warm and as safe as possible, schedule your annual chimney inspection with us now. You can rely on the chimney and fireplace services from Blue Sky Chimney Sweeps.