If you own a chimney, every year you should call in a professional to have it cleaned. Why? Because dangerous creosote can build up over time that can cause a fire. But a cleaning involves more than just a quick sweep of the interior. It also includes a thorough inspection to ensure that the components are in good shape and working optimally. Learn more about the chimney cleaning process and what you can expect during your appointment.
Protecting Your Home
The first thing the professional will do is to determine whether it is safe to clean the chimney. Once this has been confirmed, they’ll close off the fireplace to prevent any ash or soot from coming into your home during the cleaning process. Then they’ll lay down plastic or drop cloth to protect your flooring and any surrounding furniture. The specialized vacuum and other tools will also be set up before starting.
Scraping the Lining
To start the cleaning process, the chimney sweep will check that the damper is closed and start running the vacuum. The interior lining of the chimney will be scraped clean with a long-bristled brush to remove any of the built-up soot and creosote that can fuel a chimney fire. Once this is complete, they will move on to clean the firebox, damper and smoke shelf by hand or with the vacuum.
The Chimney Inspection
To make sure that all the chimney systems are working optimally, the professional will inspect all the components including the cap or crown, flashing, venting system, supports and flue. The professional will look for any cracks and signs of damage to the lining and other materials. They will also check for nests or signs of a pest or animal infestation. If anything is found to be affecting the performance of the system or if something needs to be replaced, it can be addressed at this time.
Clean Up
Any remaining debris that has fallen into the fireplace area will be carefully vacuumed up and cleaned away before the chimney sweep will remove tools and drop cloths.
Scheduling Your Next Appointment
Sweeping should be done at least once per year to keep it clean and safe. Neglecting it can create a dangerous situation and can dramatically increase the risk of a fire if enough soot and creosote accumulate within it. Keep your home warm and safe each winter by scheduling an annual chimney cleaning during each spring season so it can be ready to take on the next winter. The best time to book is when you’re getting it cleaned in the spring so you don’t forget.
Who Should You Hire?
Top Hat Home Comfort provides more than basic cleaning services for your property. We also offer repair and maintenance services including installing chimney liners, dampers, rain caps and screens. We can repair and rebuild the chimney masonry as well and re-caulk around the flashing if need be. As part of our package, you will receive a complimentary 16 point report that will outline any issues that could affect the safety or performance of the chimney system, along with any recommendations or solutions.
Keep your home and family safe each year by booking a chimney cleaning appointment with us today. To learn more about our services and prices, get in touch with us. We’re always happy to answer any questions and provide you with a quote.
