Month: October 2017

How Often Do You Need to Clean Your Chimney?

Posted on October 30, 2017 by - Chimney Care

How Often Do You Need to Clean Your Chimney?

The reason to hire a chimney sweep is to evacuate ash, blockages and developed creosote from your fireplace liner, firebox, smoke chamber and damper. This cleaning will help make a more secure operation of your chimney amid the warming season. It takes just a little gathering of creosote to make the potential for a chimney fire. Creosote is an exceptionally combustible substance that develops inside your fireplace or liner because of consuming wood. The rate of gathering can be higher on the off chance that you use the wrong woods or have a consuming machine or stove that isn’t functioning correctly. Diverse sorts of wood make their own measures of creosote when consumed. Pine causes a quick deposit of creosote and ought to be avoided to keep down potential build up. Creosote can likewise lessen the draw of the chimney and decrease proficiency.

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Fireplace Inspections ought to be booked once every year.

To make sure that the greater part of your frameworks are in working order and working as they should, it is prescribed that mortgage holders get a yearly chimney examination. Most mortgage holders pick to have a Chimney Cleaning done each year too, particularly on the off chance that they utilize their chimney all the time. Other venting frameworks associated with heaters and stoves ought to likewise be cleaned all the time to keep up more secure operation. Chimney, stove, heater and warming apparatus frameworks are essential to your home and family’s security and not a territory to disregard or cut corners on. Try not to chance the possibility that an unfamiliar deformity could transform into a costly repair or more regrettable yet – a chimney fire.

In the event that you just have minor utilization of your chimney or stove, a review is as yet exhorted every year to take a gander at all warming venting frameworks, chimney, stove frameworks and heater pipes. During these inspections any defects or issues that may be found that require action even if cleaning is not needed. When you have a regular chimney sweet that you utilize, they will for the most part put you on a yearly examination plan. Amid these examinations they will prompt you on the off chance that the time has come to get a cleaning.

When Do I Need A Chimney Inspection?

On the off chance that you haven’t had your chimney investigated in a year or more, in the event that you are having any ventilation issues with your chimney, chimney or warming framework or on the off chance that you recently moved into the home you should plan an examination. Try not to wait – holding up quite often brings about extra repairs, and now and then in property misfortune.

In the event that you have not utilized your chimney in quite a while, bugs may have constructed homes that could stop up your vent or fireplace chamber. Winter freeze cycles and dampness consolidate to take a yearly toll on stone work and liner materials as well. Ordinary wear and tear that is left unchecked will influence the execution of your framework.

What is the Best Time to Clean my Chimney?

In a perfect world, before the beginning of the consuming season amid the spring, summer or early fall is an incredible time to get your chimney investigation and/or fireplace cleaning. Before you consider building a fire or starting your heater on the grounds that the climate has changed, is an ideal opportunity to call your chimney sweep. Perhaps you overlooked the early cleaning before beginning to utilize the chimney, stove or heater? Try not to wait until the fall, we can do your chimney cleaning or examination whatever time of the year.

Make sure your chimney is clean for holiday visitors Check out our Knoxville Office!

Fall Chimney Inspections

Posted on October 23, 2017 by - Chimney Care

Fall Chimney Inspections

Winter is almost here again, and as you’d know, there are many wonderful things you can enjoy during the winter months. The cool air, hearty soups and hot chocolate can be surprisingly refreshing. But winter is also the time of the holiday season, and in the weeks leading up to the holidays you’ll barely have time for anything other than preparations for when friends and families come over.

Get a head start on your winter preparations this year! Check your home inside out for maintenance tasks you can do before winter. Getting a chimney inspection before winter is also a vital part of keeping your family safe.

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Winter Chimney Safety Tips

To keep your chimney safe, it’s always best to have it inspected by a qualified chimney professional before winter. Doing so can help you avoid a nasty chimney fire during the festive season. After all, the last thing you’d want over the holidays is to lose time with friends and family over a house fire!

During inspection, a chimney professional will clean out your chimney and check for any structural issues, like cracks, missing mortar and other potential problems. Your chimney professional will also check for any animals, like birds that have made their nest in the chimney.

When to Get a Chimney Inspection

There’s no right or wrong time to get your chimney inspected. When you get your chimney will depend on some of the following factors:

  • The date of your last professional chimney inspection: To practice good chimney safety, the Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that you get an annual chimney inspection by a professional. If you don’t even know when last your chimney was inspected, now is definitely a good time to call your local chimney sweeps.
  • How long you’ve been living in your home: If you just moved into a new place, it’s best to have your chimney inspected before you use the fireplace this winter.
  • Changes to your chimney system: If you’ve made any changes to your chimney or fireplace, it’s recommended to get an inspection done before you make a fire again.
  • Your chimney’s odor: If you were smelling smoke or other foul odors last time you used your fireplace, it’s definitely time for a chimney inspection. If your chimney smells bad even when you aren’t using it, that’s also a sign that your chimney needs to be cleaned and inspected.

Remember, when there’s debris hiding in your chimney, it can catch fire. Creosote buildup can also cause your chimney to start leaking smoke and carbon monoxide into your home. Because carbon monoxide is a toxic gas, this can have serious implications on your family’s health.

The Three Levels of Chimney Inspections

When it comes to getting your chimney inspected, there are three different kinds of checks your chimney professional can perform:

  • Level 1: This level of inspection is for when you annually have your chimney inspected and you know it was in good shape last time you used it.
  • Level 2: The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends a level 2 chimney inspection if you moved into a new house, or when changes have been made to your chimney.
  • Level 3: A level 3 inspection is only required when either a level 1 or 2 inspection reveals that there are serious problems with your chimney that need to be fixed. A level 3 inspection will include the costs of removing and replacing chimney components that are no longer functional. If your chimney is visibly damaged and crumbling to pieces, you’ll also need a level 3 inspection.

If you’re unsure about getting your chimney inspected, it’s always best to simply go with a level 1 inspection. While a level 2 inspection is certainly recommended under certain circumstances, getting a level 1 inspection is better than doing no maintenance on your chimney at all. After doing a level 1 inspection, your chimney professional will also be able to tell you if there will be additional repair costs for your chimney. Should any part of your chimney look suspicious after a level 1 inspection, further investigation will need to be done, which would require you to do a level 2 inspection.

Choosing Professional Chimney Sweep Services

When you choose a chimney sweep, you’re trusting this professional with the health and safety of your family. Just as you wouldn’t go to just any doctor, you shouldn’t work with just any professional chimney sweeps.

Unfortunately, there are some chimney sweeps out there who aren’t even chimney sweeps at all. These people will charge you for a chimney inspection and will then disappear with your money without ever providing the service you paid for. To protect yourself against these malicious characters, you have a responsibility to research any professional chimney sweep before hiring them. Some important things to look at when choosing a chimney sweep include:

  • Brick and mortar location: More than anything else, a brick and mortar location is a sign that you’re working with a real professional chimney sweep business.
  • Customer reviews: Even when you work with a real business, reviews from previous customers can help you find the best value for your money.
  • Reasonable pricing: Granted, you don’t want to simply choose the chimney sweeps that give you the lowest quote, but if you get a quote that is well above the normal market price for a chimney inspection, the business is overcharging you. You should be able to get a reliable business without having to pay hundreds of dollars more for your inspection.

If you would like to get ahead on your winter preparations this year, feel free to contact Chimney Sweeps West in Knoxville, TN for a quote on a professional inspection for your chimney.

Great Reasons to Call a Chimney Sweep

Posted on October 16, 2017 by - Chimney Care

In case you’re new to the universe of chimneys, you may not know precisely what a professional chimney sweep does. Like the name suggests, these experts clear (i.e., clean) smokestacks. Yet, many additionally perform other essential errands, for example, diagnosing issues and making repairs and substitutions. Since you comprehend what a chimney sweep does, we need to discuss four motivations to get one of these professionals out to your home.