A Chimney Sweep is considered to be the ultimate bringer of good luck. One legend says that a bride who sees a chimney sweep on her wedding day will have tremendous luck throughout her marriage.
Historically, boys as young as four would climb narrow flues using their backs, elbows, and knees. This dangerous work left them prone to suffocation and even death. Click the https://chimneysweepclean.com/ to learn more.
A fireplace is a cozy and relaxing addition to a home, but the chimney and flue must be properly maintained. Over time, creosote builds up inside the chimney, which can become a fire hazard. Chimney sweeping is the best way to minimize this buildup.
Creosote is a sticky, tar-like substance that is highly flammable. It is also poisonous and can irritate the throat, nose, eyes, and skin. It collects easily in the chimney and can cover parts of the flue, clog the clean out area, and impede air flow. In addition, it can cause the flue to crack and allow carbon monoxide to enter the home.
As the fire burns, the creosote collects on the sides of the flue tiles and forms a layer on top of the chimney walls. A professional chimney sweep can use a special tool to scrape the creosote away, leaving behind the bare metal and brick of the flue. This process will also reveal any issues with the flue, such as a cracked or disconnected liner.
If creosote buildup is not removed regularly, it can progress to the second degree. This stage of creosote looks shiny black and resembles dry, hard tar cornflakes. It is more difficult to remove than first-degree creosote and can cause the chimney to clog, making it more difficult for smoke and gases to escape.
Chimney sweeps can remove second-degree creosote using a tool called a rotary loop. It has a stainless steel cable attached to a hub with metal rods that are turned by a power drill. Some people mistakenly believe that this tool damages their chimney liner, but the truth is that it’s a safe and effective method for removing creosote.
Chimney sweeps can also remove third-degree creosote from a chimney. This level of glazed creosote is a thick, sticky, tar-like substance and is extremely flammable. It can ooze down the sides of the chimney and coat flue tile and stainless steel chimney liners. Several products are available to dissolve and absorb this glazed creosote, making it easier for a chimney sweep to remove it.
Animals and Nests
Despite the cute pictures and videos of animals romping around on social media, these critters can cause serious problems when they settle in your chimney. From chirping and squawking to scratching and clawing, these animal invaders can cause noise issues and foul odors that may carry bacteria and parasites into your home. They can also destroy your chimney’s structure and lead to costly repairs.
A common wildlife intruder is the squirrel, raccoon, or bat. They’re looking for a warm place to raise their young and nest, and a chimney makes the perfect spot. These animals can also carry fleas, parasites, and diseases that pose a health risk to your family. If left unattended, these animals can leave droppings that clog your chimney and cause smoke, carbon monoxide, and other hazardous gases to billow back into your home.
Other creatures that can live inside your chimney include skunks, mice, and rats. These animals can contaminate your food, damage your furniture, and chew through your wiring. They can also introduce disease, such as rabies, into your home. Chimney sweeps will use humane methods to trap and remove these animals from your chimney. They can also install one-way doors and mesh screens to discourage future intrusions.
Another common intruder is the chimney swift, a bird that builds its nest with sticks, which can fill your chimney with flammable materials. These birds are difficult to remove because they are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A professional chimney sweep can install a special one-way vent that allows the swift to exit, but keeps it from coming back in.
Whatever type of animal is living in your chimney, you should never try to remove it on your own. If you hear scuffling paws or flapping wings, call a chimney professional right away. A certified and insured chimney sweep will be able to locate and safely remove the animal while also ensuring that there are no blockages or debris left behind. He or she will also inspect your chimney to make sure that it is safe to use again.
Safety
Whether you use wood-burning, gas or oil fireplaces, chimneys are your home’s unsung hero that ensures warmth and a cozy ambiance. But this beloved feature can turn into a fire hazard if it isn’t properly maintained and swept. So, finding the right chimney sweep to clean your chimney isn’t a decision you should take lightly.
Chimney sweeps are trained to look for and remove obstructions in the flue and chimney cavity caused by leaves, twigs, small animal nests and more. Such debris interferes with smoke drafting and can allow carbon monoxide to back up into the house. If the fumes build up, they can be fatal.
Sweeps also use special brushes to scrape the creosote that has accumulated on the flue lining over time. This can make the chimney very dangerous and slippery to climb. Therefore, a qualified chimney sweep is equipped with special climbing equipment and safety measures such as ropes, harnesses and helmets. They’ll also use a ladder with safety chains and double-check that it’s stable before using it.
The chimney sweep may start from the inside of your fireplace or from the roof’s chimney access point. If they start from the outside of your chimney, they’ll need to climb up a ladder and onto the roof to inspect the chimney cavity and flue. A level 1 inspection and cleaning involves a chimney sweep visually inspecting the chimney from the bottom and looking for creosote, animals, debris and other obstructions in the chimney cavity and flue.
While many chimney sweeps specialize in chimney sweeping, some do other services such as installing fireplace inserts and repairing leaky flues. Others are certified to install and repair liners, which protect the flue from harmful smoke particles. If a chimney sweep claims that the lining of your chimney is broken or collapsed, ask for proof or get another opinion.
Having a professional chimney sweep regularly clean and inspect your fireplace and chimney can save you money and help prevent chimney fires. When searching for a qualified chimney sweep, be sure to check that the company is CSIA certified and ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. Additionally, consider a field service app that can help streamline tasks, free up time and provide visibility into business operations.
Cleanliness
A clean chimney system is important to the health and safety of your family. It ensures that the flammable creosote glazing and soot are not burning your home and provides an optimal draft for safe fireplace use.
A dirty chimney can also leak carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that can poison people and pets if it gets into the air. Carbon monoxide is produced when fuel (wood, oil, coal) burns incompletely. When this happens, the unburned particulates are carried up with the smoke and cooled flue gases and settle as a glaze on the inside of your chimney walls and flue lining.
In addition to cleaning, chimney sweeps can inspect your fireplace and chimney system to identify any repairs that may be necessary. They can repair or replace your chimney cap, liner and more. If they notice any damage, your chimney sweep can refer you to a licensed and insured home improvement contractor for the required repairs.
Chimney sweeps must wear protective clothing during this messy and dangerous job. They wear a face mask, which prevents particulates from entering their lungs and can protect them from the potential for falling debris. They also carry a ladder, which is the only way to access your chimney, and have special brushes to clean out your fireplace.
While chimney sweeps are known for their filthy jobs, they have a reputation for good luck and can often be seen in superstitions as omens of upcoming fortune. They are also thought to be responsible for keeping the fireplace fires in a house warm and cozy.
It is recommended that you have your chimney cleaned at least once per year. A professional chimney sweep will remove the creosote glazing and soot from your fireplace and flue liner, firebox and smoke chamber. They will also clean your ductwork and chimney flue pipe to prevent gas leaks, chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. A yearly inspection from a certified chimney sweep will ensure that your fireplace is safe and working properly. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association recommends annual chimney inspections and cleanings for all homeowners, regardless of how frequently they use their fireplaces or wood stoves.