Having a fireplace is nice, but it does require that a homeowner performs, or hire someone to perform, certain yearly maintenance steps and make sure to keep both the chimney and the fireplace in good working order. It’s possible to purchase chimney cleaning products in Severna Park MD and do the basics on your own but, in some cases, it is definitely better to hire a professional chimney sweep.
Potential Chimney Problems
Over time, especially when used very often, a chimney can develop issues that need to be addressed. These can include odors, stains, damage to the bricks and mortar, animals deciding to nest in the chimney, drafts, chimney fires, and just plain poor performance of the chimney or fireplace. While some people purchase Chimney Cleaning Products in Severna Park MD and attempt to clean the chimney themselves, when actual repairs are necessary, it may be better to hire a professional.
Hiring a Chimney Sweep
There are a few basic steps that should be taken before hiring a chimney sweep to clean or repair a chimney. First, it’s a good idea to look for a Chimney Safety Institute of America Certified Chimney sweep. Make sure the company has liability insurance and check for complaints with the Better Business Bureau. While it isn’t necessarily a must, it’s also a good idea to ask how long the company has been in business, as an experienced chimney sweep will be more likely to be able to address any issues that might come up.
Timing
Chimneys need to be cleaned and inspected at least once a year, but those who use the fireplaces a lot may want to have this done more often. The inspection should include the fireplaces and vents as well as the chimneys. If there is glaze on the flue or at least 1/8 inch of built up soot inside the flue or chimney, this means the chimney should be cleaned regardless of when the last cleaning occurred. This type of buildup is dangerous and could lead to a chimney fire. The yearly cleaning and inspection should take place before the winter, which is when the fireplace is likely to get the most use, so either late summer or early fall is a good time. Check out website for more information.
