Routine chimney maintenance starts with an inspection. When one of our Northeastern Chimney technicians visits your home, they’ll inspect each component of your chimney for issues. This includes your cap, crown, damper, firebox, masonry, and more. In addition, they’ll also examine your flue, looking for signs of damage including cracked tiles.

Why do chimney flue tiles crack? And how can you get them fixed? Let’s unpack these two questions today.

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First, what is a chimney flue?

When you look at your chimney from the outside, you may not realize that there is an internal structure called your flue. This is a tube that directs smoke and other toxic gasses up and out of your firebox whenever you’re burning a fire.

Types of chimney flues

There are three primary types of chimney flue materials. In modern home construction, contractors will usually use metal, either stainless steel or aluminum. Concrete is a second option, though also the most expensive choice.

The most common option is using clay tiles, which is our focus today. With routine maintenance, a clay flue can last for a very long time.

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Why do flue tiles crack?

There are several reasons why flue tiles crack. A less common, though not unheard of, reason is due to a lightning strike. In addition, poor craftsmanship can lead to the quick deterioration of your chimney flue tiles.

Finally, corrosion from gasses and moisture exposure both play a big part in chimney flue tile breakdown.

Is this dangerous?

Your chimney flue is designed to allow smoke and other gasses to safely exit your home. If your flue tiles are cracked, this can lead to those fumes backing up into your home. In addition, creosote can take hold within flue tile cracks, leading to an excessive buildup (and a potential house fire).

So in a word, yes. Cracked flue tiles pose a danger to your home.

Can cracked chimney flue tiles be replaced?

Also in a word, yes though with caution. It’s far easier to replace cracked flue tiles near the crown of your chimney. Deeper within, however, you’re going to want to look at relining your chimney.

Relining your chimney

Depending on the extent of your damage, it may be more cost-effective to reline your chimney with a stainless steel flue. In most cases, stainless steel includes a lifetime warranty, provided you’ve followed proper maintenance procedures, including annual inspections, sweeps, and waterproofing countermeasures.

Schedule an inspection if you’re ever in doubt

As a rule of thumb, a homeowner should schedule a chimney inspection before the start of the cold weather season. At the very least, a chimney needs to be inspected before it’s used for the first time each year.

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This post first appeared on https://www.mychimney.com

The chimney flue liner is vital for protecting your home against fire and preventing toxic gases from spilling back into the house when using your fireplace. Depending on when your chimney was constructed, it may have a clay tile lining, which can crack, putting your family and home at risk.

Let’s look at what causes flue liners to crack, how dangerous this problem can be, and how to fix it.

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How Do Flue Tiles Crack?

Clay flue liners are standard in many chimneys across the country because they’re inexpensive to install. However, compared to metal or cast-in-place liners, they’re not durable.

The most common cause of cracked clay tiles is uneven heat distribution through the chimney. Uneven heat causes the tiles to buckle and crack because clay doesn’t absorb heat as well as other materials.

Dangers of Cracked Flue Tiles

Flue liners are mandatory in new fireplace construction because they’re the first defense against chimney fires. So, if your liner is cracked, the longer you ignore the issue, the greater the risk to your home and family.

Broken or missing flue tiles can lead to the following issues.

Gas Seepage

A properly functioning chimney system shuttles toxic gas from combustion up the flue and out of the house. If your flue liner is cracked, this gas can seep back into the house, putting your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. According to the CDC, During 2010-2015, a total of 2,444 deaths resulted from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, with the highest numbers of deaths each year occurring in winter months. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, and many people don’t know they have a problem until it’s too late.

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Loss of Efficiency

Think of your chimney like a straw; if the straw is cracked, it’s more difficult for the liquid to flow. The same is true for the chimney. If flue tiles are broken, the smoke and gas produced by the fire won’t flow out of the house as intended. Poor airflow causes your fireplace to burn inefficiently, and you won’t get the heat output you would if your chimney liner was intact.

House Fire

A cracked chimney liner also puts your home at risk of a fire. The high temperatures in the chimney can contact your home’s combustible materials through the cracks, causing a fire to erupt. Experts say that woodwork exposed to an unlined chimney or damaged liner can ignite in as little as 3.5 hours. If your family is asleep or not at home, the loss could be devastating.

Structural Decay

Finally, a damaged chimney liner allows the gases to penetrate the brick-and-mortar chimney components. These gases are corrosive and can cause the masonry materials to break down, leading to chimney leaning or collapse.

How to Fix a Damaged Flue Liner

As we discussed, clay flue liners aren’t good at absorbing heat, more prone to damage, and are less durable than other materials like metal. If you have a few damaged tiles, it’s safe to replace them, but keep in mind that it’s only a matter of time before the problem rears its head again. Clay liners have a lifespan of about five to ten years, depending on the quality. If your clay tile liner is cracked, you’re better off spending a little more money to replace it with a more durable material like stainless steel or a cast-in-place chimney liners. Both liners can last for your entire life with regular maintenance, making either a better investment than clay.

How Do I Know When My Flue Liner Needs Replacing?

It’s difficult for the average homeowner to know something’s wrong within their chimney until a catastrophe happens. The best way to stay in the loop about the state of your chimney is to schedule an annual inspection by a certified professional. A professional chimney technician can detect minor damage and repair it before it gets out of hand—furthermore, routine chimney inspection and cleaning guards against creosote buildup, another cause of chimney fires. If your flue liner is damaged, a pro will recommend whether it’s more cost-effective to repair or replace it.

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The post Why Chimney Flue Tiles Crack & What To Do About It appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Protecting your chimney is essential to its structural integrity, keeping your fireplace in good condition and your fire burning efficiently. You’re likely familiar with the chimney cap, which prevents water, rodents, and debris from getting into the flue; however, you may not know what a chimney chase cover is, or maybe you think it’s just another name for a cap. Let’s look at what a chimney chase cover is, what it does, and why you should consider installing one.

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What is a Chimney Chase Cover?

Many people confuse chase covers with chimney caps because they provide similar functions. However, a chase cover is entirely different. Whereas a chimney cap fits over the flue opening, a chimney chase cover is a metal or wood enclosure that covers the entire chimney. It is vital to have a chase cover because it protects the chimney from weather damage and prevents animals and debris from entering. Chase covers are most typically used for factory-built fireplaces and chimneys because these systems are often made from wood.

What Does a Chimney Chase Cover Do?

As mentioned, a chimney chase cover functions similarly to a cap; both keep debris, water, and animals out of the chimney. This is essential to your chimney’s health, longevity, and safety. When animals enter the chimney and set up their nests, they can introduce pests like fleas or wreak havoc if they get into the house. Imagine a loose squirrel or two running rampant, and you can see why it’s wise to do everything you can to keep them out.

Furthermore, bird and rodent nests and debris in the chimney block airflow, causing harmful carbon monoxide and smoke to flow back into the house, and the blockage puts you at risk of a chimney fire. Finally, if an animal gets trapped in the chimney and dies, it will produce a foul odor that permeates the house until you get rid of it. Besides protecting against animal intrusion, a chase cover protects against water damage, the number one cause of chimney deterioration. A slanted chase cover directs water away from the chimney to the roof, which flows into your gutter system.

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Should I Install a Chase Cover?

Now you know what a chase cover does, maybe you’re wondering if it’s worth installing one if your chimney has been unprotected for years, and the simple answer is yes! There are a few reasons to consider installing a chase cover now. If your chimney is starting to show signs of wear and tear, a chase cover can help protect it from further damage.

If you live in an area with a lot of wind or other harsh weather conditions, a chase cover can also help keep your chimney in good condition. Additionally, if you have animals that like to climb on your roof, a chimney chase cover can prevent them from damaging your chimney. Finally, if you have a factory-built chimney, you need a chase cover to protect it and keep it sound throughout its lifespan.

When to Replace a Chase Cover

How long your chimney chase cover lasts depends on a few factors, including what it’s made from, the severity of the weather it’s exposed to, and whether it was installed correctly. Chase covers made from galvanized steel have the shortest lifespans and need to be replaced about every 5 years. Copper, aluminum, and stainless-steel fare better and can last the life of the chimney, providing you keep them well-maintained and barring catastrophic damage caused by impact or severe weather.

Signs Your Chase Cover Needs Replacing

There are several signs that a chimney chase cover needs to be replaced. One is if the chase cover is cracked, split, or otherwise damaged. If the damage is severe, it can allow water and animals to enter the chimney, which can cause further damage. Another sign is rust, which is common with galvanized steel covers. This can also lead to water and animal entry, as well as weakening of the structure. Finally, if the chase cover is loose, warped, or structurally unsound, it needs to be replaced.

The best way to ensure your chimney and fireplace components are in top condition and safe is by scheduling annual maintenance and inspection by a trained chimney professional. Hiring a certified chimney expert allows you to find and repair minor issues now before they escalate into damage requiring expensive repairs or replacement a few years down the road.

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The post Do I Need A Chimney Chase Cover? appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

If it’s not included with the installation of your manufactured fireplace, you may wonder why you need a chase cover. Though categorized as accessories, chimney chase covers are vital components of manufactured fireplace systems. This is comparable to the crucial need for chimney caps, which are installed above masonry fireplaces. The functions of chimney chase covers and chimney caps are the same. The need for ongoing chimney chase cover maintenance is also essential. Below, learn what exactly a chase cover is and the convincing reasons why you need one for your manufactured fireplace.

What is a Chimney Chase?

A chimney chase is basically a chimney but only for manufactured fireplaces. Chimney chases are usually built of framed wood with siding that matches the home. However, they can also be built with stucco, masonry, or stone. The chimney chase is necessary because manufactured fireplaces come with plain metal flues. A decorative chase provides needed aesthetics and more.

Like masonry chimney liners, metal chimney pipes that come with manufactured fireplaces can become extremely hot. Combustible parts of the home need to be protected from the heat. So, a chimney chase provides the appropriate distance between the pipe and the combustible components surrounding it.

What is a Chase Cover?

A chase cover is placed atop the chimney chase, and it typically sits over it like the lid of a shoebox. Typically, chimney chase covers are made of metal. Aluminum and galvanized steel chase covers are the least expensive kinds. Aluminum doesn’t tend to rust, but it is a soft metal that lacks durability. As a result, aluminum chase covers can easily be damaged by falling branches and strong winds. Galvanized steel is stronger but rusts easily.

High-quality, durable chase covers are made with stainless steel or copper. Stainless steel is one of the strongest metals, and chase covers made with this durable material are usually available in an affordable price range. Copper chase covers are high-end options. They are often considered too impractical because of cost, but they deliver on style and beauty.

Why is a Chase Cover Necessary?

Chimney chases create a large opening at the rooftop level, almost like a window to the sky that never closes. Chase covers are necessary because of what can happen when they are not there.

Without a chimney chase cover, precipitation falls directly into the home. Moisture can damage fireplace components. Besides causing rust to form, infiltration of rain and snow can result in the growth of mildew and mold.

Animals can freely make entrance into your home if you have a chimney chase with no chase cover. Bats, snakes, squirrels, birds, and mice are among the unwelcome intruders that countless homeowners have had to deal with because of a lack of coverage over the chimney. Leaves and branches are also types of debris that can get into your chimney chase if you don’t schedule chimney chase cover installation.

This post first appeared on https://www.mychimney.com

Have you thought about renovating your hearth?

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As we approach the holidays, colder weather, and more home time, we turn to our fireplaces for warmth, ambience, and a gathering spot for family.

Sitting around the cozy warmth of a crackling fire has been something human beings have done for hundreds of thousands of years. Years ago, man used fire to provide light and heat, keep predators at bay, and cook food. Some research suggests that humans would not have evolved into what they are today without fire.

Still, for many of us, being near the warmth of a fireplace feels familiar and inviting; this may be why so many people have opted to have a fireplace in their homes. Additionally, because of the timelessness of a fireplace, many homeowners are choosing to give their older hearths a face-lift by renovating this important space. If you are on the fence about whether to update your existing fireplace, here are five helpful attributes to consider:

Beauty

It cannot be denied that there is something beautiful and tranquil about a fireplace, especially today, with so many styles and sizes to select from when considering updating your current fireplace. Today, real, or veneer fireplaces range in appearance and texture from the classic elegance of a brick-and-mortar design to the more contemporary and ornate arrangement. In short, there is a design for every taste and every home.

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Budget

Better still, there is a fireplace design for almost every budget. Today many fireplace owners choose to go with veneer or ledger panels when remodeling their fireplaces. With veneer paneling, you get the quality and appearance of masonry at a much less expense. Moreover, a veneer fireplace can be installed more quickly than building a new fireplace. Depending on the size of your project, you can be sitting in front of your beautiful new fireplace within days.

A Preferred Amenity

According to a survey created by the National Association of Home Builders, they ranked a fireplace among one of the top three amenities people look for when purchasing a new home. This could also mean that it might be easier for you to sell your home if you have an updated fireplace. If you are considering selling your home at some point in the future, now is an excellent time to update your existing fireplace with a more modern and organic-looking design. Plus, ledger panels are often made from recycled materials making them eco-friendly!

Improving an Additional Heat and Light Source

How often has the power gone out during frigid weather, and you found yourself longing for the warmth of the fireplace you stopped using for some long-forgotten reason? When used properly, a fireplace can provide warmth and light until the power comes back on. You may not miss the power so much after some time in front of a cozy fire. Now might be a great time to get that fireplace back into working order and its former glory with some beautiful updating.

Transform Your Home

Do you love your living room’s natural light and decor but feel like it needs just a little something extra to make it perfect? Do you spend much time in your home office and wish it didn’t feel so much like an office? Then updating your fireplace may be just the thing. You can dramatically change the tone and appearance of any room simply by updating the fireplace.

You may even spend less money with fireplace options now on the market. Many homeowners choose to go with manufactured paneling or a fireplace veneer when designing or updating their fireplace because of the cost savings and the nearly limitless choices available.

If updating your fireplace sounds like the right option for your home, remember there are many directions you can go in nowadays.

Would you like to schedule a complimentary visit with our specialist to discuss your possibilities?

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The post As the weather gets colder, don’t forget about your fireplace! appeared first on Boston’s Best Chimney.

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Among the scariest things, you will know is that you will discover mold growth in your home. People are aware of mold growth inside the walls or under the floor, but are you aware that the chimney is a common spot for mold growth? The summer can bring extra rain and increase chimney humidity, which produces mold. Unless you look inside your chimney, you will have trouble breathing or experience sickness.

Aside from health issues, mold causes structural damage, which can be an expensive repair. Aside from paying for chimney cleaning services, mold can be prevented if you follow the best chimney maintenance practices. You can follow the tips that will be mentioned here to prevent chimney mold.

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Always Close the Fireplace Door

If you can see mold in your chimney or fireplace, you need to close the fireplace door tightly in order to prevent the spread of spores in your home. Remember to keep pets, small children, and people with allergies away from your fireplace. You should not touch or breathe in mold. The tiny spores will go into your lungs and can cause respiratory problems.

Check for Holes or Cracks

If there is water or moisture that enters your chimney, it is going to start deteriorating different areas of the structure. This can lead to a cracked structure that causes pieces to fall down in the fireplace and cause fiberglass cracks. Water damage will also increase mold growth risk, which affects the air quality of your home.

For prevention, check your chimney for any holes or cracks before it becomes a serious issue. The best way you can avoid this issue is to regularly check your chimney for holes or cracks that allow moisture inside. It might be best to do a DIY approach.

Prevent Dampness

In order to prevent dampness, you should seal bricks on the exterior of the chimney. Chimneys take on severe weather, and they need to be sealed to prevent water penetration. Before applying water sealant, you need to make the necessary repairs before sealing it. You will not prevent any water penetration if you seal damaged bricks and mortar joints.

Another chimney water source is a damaged or leaking chimney cap. It is recommended that you have a chimney or cap installed and include expansion joints as well. Expansion joints will prevent damage because of constant thawing and freezing. A cement crown’s angle is slightly downwards, hanging over the bricks by about two inches.

Clean the Chimney Regularly

Soot, creosote, and chimney debris could lead to a build-up of moisture and mold growth. Without regular chimney cleaning, you can have a fire hazard and health concerns like asthma, allergens, and other serious issues. The primary way to prevent mold growth is to sweep inside the chimney once yearly. You can use a vacuum brush attachment or chimney cleaning kit. You should make sure to get all the crevices, corners, and inner walls.

Chimney Inspection

You can have your chimney inspected yearly. Chimney sweepers now use cameras that can stream smart devices, while providing clear images of the issues that might be occurring. A way to prevent any reoccurrence is to install a chimney cap. This is going to prevent moisture from going into the chimney and eliminate mold growth. Chimney waterproofing is an effective tool to prevent spores from spreading. You need to schedule yearly chimney cleaning, and stay a step ahead of the mold, while making sure it will not enter your home.

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YThis post first appeared on https://www.firstclasschimneyservices.com

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When winter rolls around, you will likely be eager to relax by your fireplace with your friends or loved ones, especially if you’ve put up some nice winter fireplace decor! Before lighting your fireplace, however, you want to be sure that your chimney is safe to use. There are several measures that you can take to check on your chimney’s safety, which we will share with you.

We offer a wide range of residential and commercial chimney services. 

How to Know If Your Chimney is Safe to Use

Here are some ways that you can confirm that your chimney is safe to use each season before lighting it for the first time.

Have Your Chimney Inspected

First and foremost, the most important step of the process.  The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends having your chimney inspected annually. There are three levels of inspections and all check for damages, leaks, cracks, masonry issues, obstructions and more, though each level does so in an increasingly in-depth manner. Having your chimney inspected will help ensure that it is safe to use for the season. Check out our blog about what’s involved in a chimney inspection for more details on each inspection level and then give us a call to discuss our needs. 

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Get a Chimney Sweep

A Chimney sweep removes unwanted substances from your chimney, including creosote build up, soot, ash and even animal nests. Without annual chimney sweepings, any of these have the potential to build up and obstruct the chimney flue, which can lead to chimney fires or carbon monoxide leaks. We highly recommend hiring a CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certified chimney sweep to take care of your chimney sweep. These certified professionals have taken extensive training courses and follow a code of ethics, meaning that you can trust them with the safety of your chimney.

Be Observant

Though you are probably not a chimney professional, you may be able to tell if something is off with your chimney. Be aware of smells that do not seem right, animal sounds, leaks in the ceiling near your chimney, and of course any signs of smoke. If you suspect that something is off, play it safe and call a team of professionals to take a look at your chimney, especially before lighting your chimney. 

Take Safety Precautions

Make sure that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working and have fresh batteries. In fact, we recommend making this a habit at Daylight Savings time – time to change the clocks?  Change the batteries! Simple precautions can make a big difference in ensuring that your chimney is not releasing carbon monoxide or smoke into your living space. 

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The post How to Know If Your Chimney is Safe to Use appeared first on Boston’s Best Chimney.

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A certified chimney inspection in Illinois is one of the key ‘to-do’s’ for the holidays. The last thing you need are a bunch of complaints because it’s too cold. There’s a cold draft coming from the fireplace. Or the fire is nice and warm, but the kids playing are starting to cough because there’s a backup of smoke coming into the home. Now you have to open the windows and everyone is cold again. There are enough stresses the host must deal with, do we need to add another one?

What is a Certified Chimney Inspection?

According to the CSIA, a certified chimney inspection is an evaluation of the chimney or venting system to assess its condition and determine if it’s fit for use. Superior Chimney is certified by the CSIA to perform chimney inspections and chimney sweeps as well. What this means for you is that our technicians are trained to adhere to the NFPA 211 standard which states that the chimney and venting systems are to be inspected each year regardless if it’s a woodburning gas or unused fireplace and chimney.

Chimney Inspection Levels

A Level 1 inspection is the minimum required. How do you know this one is for you? A certified chimney inspection is when you have your chimney swept and inspected each year. Nothing has changed, you use it (or don’t use it) any differently than in the past.

A Level 2 inspection is when a change has been made to your system. This can include a change in the type of fuel being used such as changing over from gas to woodburning or from not using the fireplace to using it even if it is only once per year. Another change can also be the change to the shape of the flue or you had a new flue lining installed which is different that what you had prior.

A Level 2 is also necessary if you sold your home or if there’s been a tornado, bad storms or those (once in a few years) earthquakes.

Level 3 inspection is for more serious hazards and issues. The normal technician tools won’t do and they need special tools in order to inspect closed out portions that can’t be viewed easily.

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Reason for a Yearly Inspection…

One of the main reason your chimney and fireplace needs an inspection…regardless if you use the fireplace or not…is the winter freeze thaw cycles. This is when the air temperature drops to 32 degrees or below to freeze the rain and/or snow and then goes right back up in temperature for the rain and/or snow to thaw.

As we have all experienced, winter and early spring are the perfect times of year to experience the freeze thaw cycle.

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This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net

When we talk about chimney blockages, we’re usually talking about obstructions that exist within the flue, as opposed to blocks at either end of the chimney. When a chimney flue is blocked, several things can happen that you most definitely want to avoid.

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Why do chimneys become blocked and obstructed?

There are four primary causes of chimney blockage. They include:

1. Tree debris
2. The nesting materials of small animals such as birds and squirrels
3. Dead small animals
4. Excess creosote and soot

Anything that narrows the flue passage is a blockage and can cause the fireplace to draft poorly. When this happens, dangerous smoke and carbon monoxide can back up into the home. Smoke contains a variety of toxic gases, but carbon monoxide is the most problematic. Invisible and odorless, it has been shown to cause severe respiratory illnesses and even death when inhaled in sufficient amounts.

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How material gets into a chimney

Materials from outside the house – tree debris and the nests of small animals – get in through the top of a chimney that isn’t protected by a chimney cap.

The simple act of having a custom full-width chimney cap installed will keep all this debris out of your chimney flue and prevent these kinds of blockages. Your chimney can also become blocked by a buildup of creosote and soot. Creosote forms when smoke condenses in the flue. It can appear as a puffy, sticky or solid substance. In all forms, it’s highly flammable and is the #1 cause of chimney fires throughout the U.S. each year. Over time, creosote and soot can narrow a flue to the point that the wood in the fireplace doesn’t have enough incoming air to burn efficiently. This blockage can also send smoke and carbon monoxide into your home, as noted above.

The best way to remove chimney obstructions

Most homeowners don’t have the tools or training to remove stubborn creosote, leaves, twigs, animal nests and the occasional dead animal from their chimneys. Professional chimney sweeps are equipped for this job, and this is who you should call for all chimney cleaning projects. Chimney sweeps use special rods, chains, brushes, solvents and other “tools of the trade” to safely remove debris and creosote from your chimney. It’s recommended that you schedule this service once a year, whether or not you have a blockage.

The best way to prevent some obstructions

Your chimney sweep can install a proper chimney cap at the top of your chimney. Chimney caps not only keep debris out, but they also do a good job of containing flying sparks and embers that sometimes jump out of the tops of chimneys.

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This post first appeared on https://www.mychimney.com

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If you’re planning to schedule a chimney inspection or cleaning, but wondering how long it takes, then you have landed the right blog. 

So every flue is different, that’s why on average, a thorough cleaning process can take about 45 minutes to an hour. Though, this time can extend for a number of different reasons; if there is creosote present in your flue, if the flue is damaged in any way, or if there are blockages such as birds’ nests.

If your chimney cleaning requires more time than you expected, it’s good to ask why and understand the problem. 

However, it’s highly recommended that you take a chimney sweep service once or twice a year to avoid chimney leakage or cracks.

Which Factors Can Cause a Chimney Sweep to Take Longer?

A chimney sweep’s period of time may take longer than expected because of a variety of factors, including:

1: Number of Fireplaces

For instance, if you have two or three fireplaces in your home then the process of cleaning your chimney flue can take longer. 

2. Time Of Last Sweep

As we mentioned, it’s important to get a chimney inspection or cleaning once or twice a year. But if you haven’t had your chimney swept in many years, there will likely be a lot of creosote buildup in your chimney.

That’s why it may take longer to remove a thicker layer of creosote. Otherwise, it will allow flammable creosote to continue to build up inside your chimney.

3. Chimney Blockages 

During the process, if our chimney inspectors locate any sort of blockage in the chimney flue, then it can increase the completion time of the chimney sweep. 

What are the blockages in a chimney flue?

Basically, it could be an animal nest or a dead animal. Or, maybe because of debris falling into the flue.

However, to avoid these types of blockages, it’s highly recommended to use chimney chase covers. 

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The Process of Chimney Sweep 

There’s a defined process of chimney sweeping that has been followed by our certified chimney inspectors. It includes: 

1. Checking the chimney for obstructions: If there are any obstructions within the fireplace or chimney, the homeowner will be notified during the inspection and after that, they will move toward the cleaning step. 
2. Cleaning the chimney with a brush: The team will be going to use a brush to clean the chimney flue. Also, they ensure that the whole cleaning process will be done according to the company’s preventative measures. 
3. Checking the chimney for cracks or leaks: Chimney inspectors will search for the cracks and leakages on the chimney, crown, and cap. The team will further check if the outside dust and moisture are causing any leaks in the chimney. If your chimney will not be performing up to the mark, the inspection team will guide you about its repair or reinstallation service.  
4. Installing a proper chimney cap: At the end of the process, the chimney sweepers will suggest you the steel chimney cap to prevent future blockages and debris from sliding into the chimney and duct.

When it comes to cleaning the chimney, the brush bristles are the right tool. With a sweep of the brush bristles, you clean the inside surface area.

Since fireplaces gather up a lot of ash and dust over time, you must get rid of the accumulation in the fireplace. Otherwise, it may cause problems and a strange smell inside your house.

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The post How Long Does a Chimney Sweep Take? appeared first on Highs Chimney.