Chimney Sweeping
 Annual chimney maintenance is essential to the safety of your home. The following are the most frequently asked questions about our services.
How often should my chimney be swept?
This is dependent upon your usage. The NFPA recommends at least an inspection
every year. We service some customers two and three times a year, others every
few years. It is always a good idea to have it done. Your sweep will be able to
tell you how often you need it based upon what is removed and the design of the
system.
Do you make a mess while working?
No. While it's always smart to move valuables away and minimize risk, we are
very careful about your home and belongings. Your floor and valuables are
covered, and experience provides the tricks to keep the dust down. If an
accident does occur, that's why we carry insurance.
How do you do it?
Each job is different, each home has separate challenges and every stove is
designed just different enough to require many years experience to be able to
properly disassemble, sweep and properly assemble each one. For your particular
system, it's best to ask your sweep what his plan is when he can see the whole
system.
Is it really worth it?
Creosote is highly flammable, leftover fuel from fires you have had. If ignited,
they can burn up to 2100 degrees, potentially igniting framing members close to
your chimney, or the fire may simple escape your system through cracks or flaws
in the design. Repair costs can be several thousand dollars, if you are
fortunate enough to not have lost your home or valuables if the fire escaped the
chimney system.
What should I consider when picking a chimney company?
Everything! Because most homeowners will not follow us onto a roof, you must
take our word on the condition of your chimney, work that may need to be done,
or if we even did our job at all. Reputation is the single most important part
of our business. Even though your neighbor likes one company, and your aunt uses
another, the best reference checking you can do is other people in the industry.
We have all the "insider" information on each other and no business will stake
their reputation on another unless they are sure of it. I recommend calling the
local stove retailers to find out who is most often recommended.
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