Why Hire Certified Chimney Professionals
Hiring certified chimney professionals for your annual chimney sweep guarantees the safety and cleanliness of your chimney. But, what if you were to do it yourself? According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), a popular question-answer website named Angie’s List published an article instructing how to clean and inspect your chimney yourself. CSIA instructed Angie’s List to remove this article, as it was found to be potentially dangerous. To Certified Chimney Professionals, a ‘do it yourself’ chimney sweep sounds like trouble. Remember, the configuration of a chimney is complex, Certified Chimney Professionals have knowledge of clearances and air flow with respect to chimneys in the home. There are specialized tools that are needed to properly sweep a chimney as well. Completely cleaning a chimney once a year is important to prevent buildups, blockages, interior/exterior damage, and chimney fires. A few good ‘do it yourself’ articles may not be enough to sweep a chimney.
Call Us at 877-959-3534 for Chimney Service
What does a Proper Chimney Sweep Require?
Doing a chimney sweep requires the proper experience and tools that Certified Chimney Professionals are extensively trained in. A chimney sweep requires specific brushes that need to fit the chimney flue. There are separate brushes for cleaning the firebox and another for the throat/smoke-chamber components. Next, a sufficient vacuum is required that will be able to compensate for a possible downdraft and contain any air bourn soot. Most store bought vacuums cannot trap all the soot. This ‘do it yourself’ project can track the dust in all parts of your home.
Improper Cleaning Leads to Chimney Fires
There are over 21,000 chimney fires in the US annually, many are caused by an uninspected dirty chimney. The buildup of creosote, a hardened layer of chemical buildup caused naturally by the process of combustion, is a leading cause of chimney fires. Chimney technicians are able to identify and properly clear out this creosote as well as many other common causes of potential issues.
Did you know that breathing in creosote for long periods of time is unhealthy. This is why Certified Chimney Professionals take into account reverse air drafts inside and outside the home, sending the remnants of the cleaning away from your living space. Even if you have a gas fireplace and do not experience extensive layers of creosote buildup, there may be other age and usage relavent wear and tear/damage to your chimney. For example, the chimney may have cracks and gaps in mortar, which require repair services. In a gas fireplace, a clear exhaust path is very important for your chimney, as any blockages, big or small, can cause a very concerning reversal of exhaust such as carbon monoxide backing up into your home. The untrained eye is unable to identify most indicators that a problem with using the fireplace is on the horizon.
Our Notes Be very cautious of ‘do it yourself’ chimney sweep articles (Don’t fall for them). You can ensure safety and security if the job is done by the Certified Chimney Professionals of Superior Chimney. Our professionals are trained and certified by the CSIA. We can identify damage and protect your chimney by starting with a chimney sweep. Waiting years to sweep your chimney is costly and counterproductive to it. It is necessary to invest in a Certified Chimney Professionals at least once a year. Someone has to be fully responsible for putting a fire in the middle of your living room… and that is you! Book your chimney inspection today – Know what the current condition and state of fireworthiness your chimney system is in before you burn again.
Call Us at 877-959-3534 for Chimney Service
This post first appeared on https://www.superiorchimney.net
