Why Chimney Cleaning Should Be Left to Professionals
Chimneys are designed to remove harmful gases from your home while your fireplace is in use, but they also work to help other harmful gases escape even when the fireplace is not in use. However, it can only do so when it is properly cleaned. Whether you use your fireplace regularly or not, you should have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a year.
As you know, spring is the best time to clean your chimney, so you might be ready to get out there and do it yourself. At first thought, just removing everyday build-up from your chimney appears to be something you can do on your own. It might seem easy, but it’s not just a simple sweep!
So, what do chimney cleaning professionals do that you can’t?
Chimney cleaning is more than just cleaning; it is a full-service inspection of the entire chimney and fireplace system for any damage, debris, or build-up that poses potentially hazardous concerns for you and your family. Our certified experts complete this process by first performing a full sweep of the fireplace and chimney, followed by a thorough camera scope of the interior of the system, and then an 18-point inspection analyzing every component of the chimney and fireplace which is documented and conveyed over to you via professional and organized report.
Identify & Repair Potential Damages
Our technicians can identify standard damages that can occur whether you frequently use your fireplace or not. Whether it is routine build-up, missing caps, damaged flues, or bad flashing, we are trained to identify these issues at the very beginning and help homeowners avoid more invasive problems. Any recommended repairs are unique and prevalent to your specific setup, aiming to prevent you from having more significant and more costly issues later.
Recognize Deterioration
There may be underlying problems that only a trained technician can discover, such as deterioration. If an excessive amount of water enters the chimney, it can damage the liner or flue and cause deterioration to occur more quickly. This is something that is more difficult for the average person to identify, yet it can cause major issues.
Discovering Unwanted Chimney Visitors
Cleaning can also require the removal of rodents or birds and their nests. Most people would not want to spend their weekends handling wildlife from their chimneys. Professionals are trained to handle various types of wildlife situations and advise specific caps or adjustments to keep these pesky visitors out of your chimney.
Cleaning with Less Mess and Less Stress
If you use your fireplace, a coating and debris can form throughout your chimney and, if left untreated, can cause more severe damage to the chimney and to your health. Professionals clean all of this out to give you peace of mind and help you rest and breathe easily. They can also handle the cleaning in a less invasive way than most do-it-yourself options might provide. If you think about the mess all of this can make, it can definitely be overwhelming if you are not accustomed to it.
For any Atlanta-area homeowners who are considering cleaning their own chimneys themselves, we’d highly recommend considering these reasons above for leaving the cleaning to a team of trusted professionals. If you have more questions about hiring a chimney and fireplace team to inspect and clean your chimney, give us a call! We’re here to provide the best service available and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
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