FAQ
This Page is Currently Under Construction
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should my chimney be cleaned?
All chimneys should be inspected yearly by a certified professional and cleaned as required. The inspection is necessary to ensure that the chimney has adequate draft, is free of debris and cracks, has no loose or missing mortar joints and is otherwise free of damage.
When is the best time of the year to have my chimney cleaned?
We recommend having your chimney swept or inspected in the summer. There is a greater appointment availability than in the Winter, and if repairs are need, you'll have at least 6 months to complete them.
What can I do with smoke coming back?
First check that your damper is fully open. open a window or door to allow replacement air into the room. If it continues Contact us and we can inspect the problem .
How do you Sweep a chimney?
A chimney flue is cleaned with special brushes that fit your chimney flue. We clean most chimneys from inside the house. This method allows for more control of the dust. The brushes are attached to flexible poles, we add poles as needed to push the brush up into the flue. We can only do this as fast as our special chimney vacuum collects the debris. The walls of the fireplace are cleaned by hand using wire brushes.
Does a chimney sweep remove the black from the wall of the fireplace?
No. We can only clean off the soot on the surface of the brick. Each time you burn a fire this black changes according to how hot you burn your fire.
Will the chimney sweep cause a mess in my home?
No. By cleaning the chimney from inside your home we maintain control over the dust. All our equipment is laid out on clean drop cloths in front of your fireplace. The hose of our chimney vacuum collects the debris as we brush the chimney. We can only brush the chimney as fast as our vacuum collects the dust. The dirtier the chimney flue, the slower we brush.
What are you looking for when you do a chimney evaluation?
We do a thorough exterior and interior inspection of the flue and chimney. We look at the type of chimney you have, we inspect the liner type, if present, the size of your chimney flue., we will evaluated the interior flue for any deterioration, make sure that your heating appliances are properly sized for the chimney that they are venting into.. We will also let you know the condition of your chimney and whether or not a chimney cap is present, and also check your flashing for ware.
What is a flue?
A flue is the passageway inside your chimney that allows the gases to pass out of the home and into the atmosphere. A chimney houses flues.
How many flues do I have?
You should have one flue for each fireplace, stove, and furnace or boiler. Some homes also have a separate flue for their water heater.
Do I need a chimney cap?
All chimneys should have caps to prevent leaves, sticks, debris, animals and most importantly, rain and snow from entering the chimney flue.
Will a cap prevent my flue from venting properly?
A chimney cap is designed by code for your protection. It must be installed and sized properly to vent correctly. In some cases chimney caps actually help eliminate certain downdrafts and improve venting.