Welcome to the end of your frustration over not being able to light good fires in your fireplace! We have the answers–and you are certainly not alone if this situation applies to you. Here we are in a high-tech, instant-everything society and yet lighting a fire is quite literally a prehistoric activity. The actual same three principles cavemen had to use are still in effect today. In caveman terms, “Fire good! All fire need: Air, fuel, heat!” Well, there’s a bit more to it than that. Let’s get started. As caveman Fred Flintstone might say, the following is all you need to yaba-daba-DO to start a fire in your fireplace.

AIR / OXYGEN

Air is needed in the firebox. If there is a stingy supply of air, it is usually caused by negative air pressure. One of the most common causes of negative air pressure is that a home is tightly sealed and may also have an exhaust fan running in the house. Opening a window nearby can solve the problem of lack of oxygen.

The draft is another factor. The flow of warm air coming from a fire needs to go up the chimney, not into your home. If your attempts at fires have failed because the fire wouldn’t catch on or the combustion fumes went into your home, the following steps can help to ensure a draft:

• Open the damper.
• Light a match, blow it out, and hold it up to the damper. If the curl of smoke doesn’t go up the chimney, a good draft needs to be established. 
• If you open the glass doors to your modern fireplace as well as the damper at least 30 minutes before you light a fire, it will help to change the temperature inside the appliance. The draft has to do with temperature differentials. 
• Warm air will rise but if there is too much cold air in the firebox and/or chimney, the smoke from the beginnings of a fire can’t go up the chimney. What people usually do about this is create a newspaper torch and carefully light it and hold it up toward the damper. The fire from the torch will displace the cold air after one or more attempts.
• If there still isn’t a draft, after you’ve tried these things, there may be an obstruction in your chimney. It is likely necessary to stop using your fireplace until a chimney professional can come out and conduct a chimney inspection. Any blockage will be identified and can be removed. Once it’s fixed, you should be set for building fires. However, it’s not always that simple. A wide range of issues could be preventing a fireplace from having a good draft, all of which chimney experts are familiar with and can help with.

FUEL

Use only seasoned wood for your fires. Seasoned wood is low in moisture. After logs are cut, they need to dry out for 6 to 12 months or longer before they’re dried out enough for a good fire. Logs filled with moisture create excessive smoke as the fire’s heat first goes to burn out moisture. Inexpensive moisture meters for firewood are widely available. If you are unsure about your firewood, test it and make sure there is less than 20% moisture before using it in your fireplace. 

Getting a fire started usually requires tinder and kindling. Tinder is something like dried moss or wadded-up newspaper that will quickly burn to get things going. Kindling is basically small sticks of dry wood.

There are different approaches to building fires. Some people build a loose stack of medium logs over kindling and slowly add larger logs. Others put the kindling on top of the logs to get them started burning. 

Make sure air can get between the logs, especially when you’re trying to get the fire going. 

HEAT

Ignition is all that’s needed once you have air and fuel. You can use a match or long lighter. The cavemen no doubt rubbed wood together, as Tom Hanks did in Cast Away. Please note: Never use flammable liquids in your fireplace. Doing so is highly dangerous.

When you’re ready for chimney sweep professionals to provide chimney services, contact the great team of chimney specialists at High’s Chimney Service. We’re based out of Gaithersburg, MD, and customer service is our chief priority. Call us today at (301) 519-3500, whether you need help getting a fire started in your fireplace like an experienced caveman or for any of our comprehensive chimney services.

The post What to Yaba-Daba-DO to Light a Fire in a Fireplace appeared first on Highs Chimney.

A fireplace that provides warmth and ambiance with no unwanted side effects is such a pleasure in winter. You may never even think about how your chimney works until smoke from fires is suddenly coming into your home, which is known as “backdrafting.” A smoky fireplace is a sign that something has gone wrong, and a number of things could be the cause. Smoky fireplaces are often the reason chimney sweeps get calls for chimney repair. When you understand how your chimney works, you may be able to identify what the problem is yourself. 

What Makes Smoke Go Up the Chimney?

Science is behind the proper operation of chimneys, and it’s sometimes also the reason things go wrong. Chimneys are designed to remove the toxic combustion byproducts from a fire into the out-of-doors. The hot air created by fires is lighter than cooler air and, therefore, it rises, creating the draft. A hotter fire creates a stronger draft, just as a smoldering fire often results in toxic fumes going into the home due to the lack of proper draft.

What Affects the Chimney Draft Besides Air Temperature?

The following are things that can also affect the chimney draft, in addition to the hot air from fires.

Negative Air Pressure

Airflow is going on constantly and relates to inside air pressure. Balanced air pressure in a home occurs when air flows into a home at an equal rate to air flowing out of the home. All of the warm air that flows out of your chimney is replaced by air that’s cooler and heavier. If your home is sealed so tight that air can’t be pulled into the fireplace, you may not be able to get a strong fire burning unless you open a window.

If it has too many gaps where air flows in and out, your home can begin to operate like a chimney, pulling the warm air up to the attic and pushing it out. This type of energy inefficiency can result in very high energy costs.

Running the exhaust fan in your kitchen or bathrooms could also create negative air pressure that affects the operation of your chimney.

Chimney Height

It’s essential that a chimney builder or installer understands principles related to chimney height. A chimney can be too short or too tall to operate properly. There are various parameters that experts are familiar with which dictate the ideal height of a chimney. For example, the chimney stack on top of the roof must extend at least 3 feet above the point where it penetrates the roof.

Flue Size

The flue is the liner inside the chimney that protects combustible parts of the home from the hot temperatures and toxic fumes inside it when fires are burning. The width of the flue must be a certain ratio to the size of the fireplace opening. A flue that is too big will pull too much air out of the home, causing a loss of heat. A too-small flue doesn’t allow combustion gases to exit quickly enough, resulting in unhealthy, smoke-filled air in the home.

Chimney Obstructions

When the flue is blocked, the obstruction interferes with the draft, resulting in a smoky, backdrafting appliance. Chimney obstructions can be caused by a dirty flue with excess creosote buildup, animals, birds’ nests, debris from trees, and masonry materials from chimney deterioration.

Contact Northeastern Chimney for a Chimney Diagnosis

When a chimney doesn’t work correctly, it’s important to schedule a chimney inspection and chimney cleaning without delay. Trained, certified chimney sweeps know what to look for, as far as the causes of potential chimney damage and a poor draft. In West Hartford, CT, Northeastern Chimney is the place to call if you want knowledgeable chimney technicians to evaluate the condition of your chimney and provide expert repairs. Contact the professionals at Northeastern Chimney today by calling (860) 233-5770.

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

With countless old and historic homes throughout Boston, many homeowners have visions of getting cozy around the fireplace in the winter. However, the reality might be a lot different if your fireplace is unused for many years.

If you’re ready to start using an old fireplace, these are the steps that you need to take first.

Check Your Smoke Detector

The first step for old fireplace safety is making sure your smoke detector is in working order. Ideally, you are already checking it once a month and replacing its batteries twice a year.

You need the smoke detector to alert you of excess smoke buildup. It will also inform you if there is carbon monoxide in your home, which is an odorless and dangerous gas that causes headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Keep a Lookout for Critters

An unused chimney is viewed as a safe haven for some animals during the winter. You might find raccoons or birds nesting inside the chimney to escape the harsh winter weather.

Look around for animal droppings, vegetation, and even foul odors. These are 3 signs that animals are living inside your chimney.

Sound Fireplace Structure

If you live in an old home, you likely will not have a factory-built fireplace unless your home was recently remodeled. Old fireplaces are made from brick, stone, or block and mortar. Over the years, these structures settle which can result in cracking or crumbling. Be aware of any structural issues and have them repaired as necessary.

Get Your Chimney Inspected

In addition to your fireplace, you must also make sure that your chimney is in sound condition. This is a major element of fireplace safety!

A chimney inspection will help detect:

• Damage or obstruction to both the chimney and/or fireplace
• Soot or creosote buildup
• Camera inspection to view inside of the chimney
• Clearance to any combustibles

Before you start using an old fireplace, it’s imperative to get your fireplace and chimney inspected by a professional. Boston’s Best Chimney offers several levels of chimney inspections, as well as repairing and even rebuilding of old and dangerous chimneys. Get safe before you cozy up next to an old fireplace by calling 781-893-6611.

The post How to Safely Start Using an Old Fireplace appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

During the winter, your chimney is a workhorse for venting. In addition to fireplace use, the chimney is in constant operation for exhausting your heat. Just like you’d take care of your HVAC system, it’s also important to care for your chimney and fireplace this season. This is how you can keep both components in tip-top shape until spring arrives.

Wintertime Care for Your Fireplace

As you watch the fire flames dance inside your fireplace, don’t forego basic care to keep your family safe.

Ash Levels

First, watch your ash levels. If your fire is burning continuously, naturally more ash will accumulate. An excess amount of ash can cause a fire to burn out quickly. Leaving about one inch of ash is ideal for building and maintaining a fire.

Clean the Hearth

Keeping the hearth clean will help prevent soot buildup. It’s made of tiny carbon materials and it contains acid, chemicals, and dust. It can also produce a foul smell.

Cleaning your hearth can be accomplished with a vacuum and common cleaning products that you likely have on hand. The video below shows how you can safely and effectively clean a brick fireplace hearth.

Clean the Glass Doors

Lastly, you’ll want to keep the glass doors clean. Soot can also stick to the glass and it’s important to keep this area clean. You can keep your glass door in place to keep pets and kids safe.

Caring for Your Chimney

As winter winds blow, basic chimney care is good to know!

Beware of Critters

It’s no secret that it gets quite cold in Boston during the winter. This is the time of year that you’ll find critters trying to find warmth inside your chimney. It’s not uncommon to find birds or even raccoons seeking shelter.

Keep your ear out for strange sounds coming from your chimney. You might also find animal droppings in or near your fireplace. If you hear or see evidence of animals, contact a professional such as Boston’s Best Chimney.

Cracked and Crumbling Chimneys

The harsh winter environment can send your chimney crumbling down. This is because the freeze and thaw cycle can crack the bricks. Over time, it can ultimately crumble and lead to a chimney collapse.

The bad part is that it’s hard to see cracked bricks from the ground. Here at Boston’s Best Chimney, we climb up on roofs in all sorts of weather to inspect the structure of your chimney.

If you have concerns about your chimney or fireplace, there is still time to get an inspection or schedule a chimney sweep. Get in touch with us today by calling 781-893-6611.

The post How to Care for & Clean Your Chimney & Fireplace in the Winter appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

Hey neighbors,

Every year, Nextdoor, the neighborhood hub, hosts local business awards called Neighborhood Favorites where neighbors vote on their favorite local businesses and service providers in a variety of categories. We’re in the running to become a 2020 Neighborhood Favorite ad we’d love your vote!

Voting runs from February 3-23, 2020. Here’s how to vote:

1. Head to nextdoor.com/favorites and log in. You’ll be taken directly to the Neighborhood Favorites voting flow.

2. Click “Start voting” to begin. You can vote for up to 25 categories – vote for us for favorite HOME SERVICE PROVIDER.

3. When you’ve finished voting, spread the word on Nextdoor, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Share our custom link to take neighbors directly to our business page to vote:  www.nextdoor.com/pages/southern-chimneys-llc-alpharetta-ga/?neighborhood_favorites_survey=true&page_id=16138915&is=your_reputation

We love our Atlanta community, and look forward to continuing to serve you. Thank you for your support!

This post first appeared on https://southernchimneys.com

In the past week, 3 chimney fires were reported in the news.
 There were two chimney fires in Park
Ridge, one was in a townhouse, and the third chimney fire was in Kenosha,
WI.  Just in December,  chimney fires were reported in Lake
Zurich as well as in Springfield.

As everyone is inundated with information each day, it’s
easy to push this one off to the side.  “It won’t happen to me.”  But it can.  On average, according to CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of
America) there are over 22,000 fireplace, chimney, and chimney connector
fires each year across the country.  These
could have all been avoided.

That’s why we communicate valuable information to you each
month.  Our job is to keep you and your
family safe as well as help you save energy by taking care of your fireplace
and chimney.   We take many extra steps
to ensure that each of our technicians are Certified
and keep current with continuing
education.

So when you get a Superior Chimney 14 point inspection
with pictures to show you what’s going on, you can see that we’ve taken all the
steps necessary to ensure a healthy and safe environment.

What can Cause a Chimney Fire?

Chimney fires are often caused by either a buildup of
creosote, which is a byproduct of burned wood, or cracks in the fire clay flue
tile liner.  Both causes of chimney fires
are preventable with a chimney and fireplace inspection each year.

Ways to Identify a Chimney Fire

1. A loud crackling sound or a popping noise
2. Dense, thick smoke coming into the fireplace and
   your home
3. Dense, thick smoke coming out of the top of the
   chimney
4. Flames coming out of the chimney, either top or
   bottom
5. A roaring sound. Some say it sounds like a train
   or low flying airplane
6. Slow burning chimney fires are very dangerous as
   most often they go unnoticed

If any of these do occur, get out of the house and call the
fire department.  Let them check it out
and take care of the house.

Top 5 Chimney Preventative Measures

1. Call Superior Chimney for a sweep, check and
   inspection.  That’s the best way to
   prevent a fire. The chimney fire clay flue tiles are checked, any creosote is
   removed and 12 more areas and points are checked on our 14-point inspection.
2. Build reasonable fires – Bonfires are for the
   outdoors.
3. Use only split & seasoned hardwood firewood.
4. It’s best to keep paper, wrappings, toys, pet
   hair, anything…from entering or being near the fireplace.
5. Install a quality chimney cap, we can do that
   for you.

Now that you know what to do, have a safe rest of the
winter.  If you haven’t had a chimney
inspection yet this year, get it done now so you can have peace of mind that
you and your family are safe.  If you had
your chimney and fireplace swept already, we’ll see you again in the Spring or Summer…
Beat the Fall rush!  Make your
appointment today!  Call 877-244-6349

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

Did you know that homes that don’t have fireplaces still may have a chimney in use?   For over 100 years, home heating equipment has been vented through chimneys.  This ensures that dangerous flue gases are carried up and out of the home instead of entering living space.  New and older units require chimney linings for venting, so whether you’re planning to install a new furnace or boiler, one likely item on your to-do list should be to line your chimney. Chimney liners aren’t just a good idea – they are required to help maintain the proper performance of your heating equipment.

Oil and gas-fired appliances need to vent to the outside to avoid a build-up of carbon monoxide. Newer, high-efficiency furnaces may vent out the side of the home’s foundation rather than up the chimney. If they use the chimney for ventilation, the chimney, as built, may be damaged or too big to properly vent a newer gas furnace.

If you plan to vent any appliances through the chimney, a chimney liner may be in order. There are three good reasons to line an existing chimney.

---

1: Carbon Monoxide

As we all know, carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that infects the bloodstream.  Initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poising are headache, dizziness, confusion and nausea, but can lead to brain damage or even death.  More than 400 Americans die of unintentional carbon monoxide poising each year.  If your chimney is unlined (which would be typical for an older home), or lined and damaged, investing in a chimney liner is imperative to ensure safe venting, even if you don’t intend to replace the appliances that use your chimney.

---

2: Further Chimney Damage

To line a chimney is to protect it from your appliances. Combustion is a messy process. It can leave behind some caustic by-products that won’t do your chimney any favors. Over time, these chemicals can eat away brick, as well as the mortar that holds your chimney together.  Installing a new stainless steel sleeve that is more resistant to acid breakdown will protect the structural integrity of the chimney.

Which brings us right back to Reason #1 to line your chimney. If the mortar inside your chimney deteriorates, the chimney will become even better at transferring flue gases to the surrounding areas.

---

3: Efficiency

To line your chimney is to promote efficiency. A chimney cannot draw properly if it is too big for the equipment, or even worse, too small.  Additionally, flues that have holes in it will have a hard time pushing those gases through cleanly.  Think of it as a straw with a hole in it – It just won’t work right.   A chimney liner can size your flue appropriately for your appliances to optimize maximum potential.

---

Do you have questions about your chimney and whether it needs a new liner?

Feel free to call us at Boston’s Best to answer your questions and schedule an inspection

for your home.

The post How Are Home Heating and Chimneys Related? What you need to know! appeared first on Boston's Best Chimney.

There has never been a better time to buy a heating stove for your home. Advancements in both design and technology make them not only an affordable and practical heating solution; they are cleaner, more efficient, and easier to operate. The only decision to make is deciding whether gas, wood or pellet is the best stove for your home. The following guide will help you do just that.

Wood-Burning Stoves

When you think of heating your home with a stove, a wood-burning stove probably comes to mind. People have been using wood stoves for centuries. But modern wood stoves have come a long way since then and are now an eco-friendly and efficient home heating solution. One of the top advantages that wood stoves offer is that homeowners are no longer dependent on the price of electricity, gas, or oil to heat their homes. Wood is a sustainable, renewable energy source that is abundantly available and inexpensive. Also, EPA-Certified wood stoves emit much less pollution and convert up to 80% of the fuel into heat. If you want a safe, reliable, and energy-efficient off-the-grid heating solution, a wood-burning stove may be just the solution for you.

Gas Stoves

Gas heating stoves are becoming a popular home heating solution. It’s clean-burning, convenient, and low maintenance. It’s also very efficient, converting nearly 90% of the fuel into usable heat. Many homeowners, like the convenience of being able to turn on the heat with the flip of the switch. 

Since there is no wood to load or ash to clean, maintenance is more straightforward. Gas heating stoves are also stylish, and the artificial logs are so realistic that it resembles an authentic wood-burning fire experience. When choosing a gas stove for your home, you will need to decide between natural gas or liquid propane.

Pellet Stoves

If you want the sustainability of wood, with the convenience of gas, then pellet stoves will fit the bill. Pellet stoves use small particles of wood that are compressed into pellets. When the pellets are poured into the hopper, an automatic ignition system regulates the fuel supply to maintain the desired temperature providing up to 40 hours of continuous heat before having to reload. Pellets are an inexpensive, carbon-neutral fuel source. Although pellet stoves require a small amount of electricity for the ignition system, the operating cost is typically less than that of other liquid or solid fuel heating appliances. And pellet stoves are highly efficient, leaving practically no waste. Another significant advantage of a pellet stove is its flexibility. They can be installed in areas that are not practical for wood or gas stoves, like the bathroom, kitchen, and mobile homes.

Space Heating Vs. Home Heating

Free-standing wood, pellet, and gas stoves are available in a range of sizes that can be used to provide heating for an individual room or the entire house. It just depends on the size of the unit. Heating stoves make it practical for zone heating. Installing a large stove downstairs and a smaller unit upstairs conserves energy. You can turn off the upstairs stove during the day when everyone is downstairs. Another option is to install a large heating stove in the basement and route the heat through individual air vents in each room like a forced-air furnace to provide affordable heat to the entire home.

Contact the Experts

Choose the best in Kansas City, Fluesbrothers! Have experts walk you through the best way to heat your home, from installation to inspections Fluesbrothers does it all!

Phone: 913-236-7141
Address: 1701 Southwest Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66103

The post Gas, Wood, or Pellet: Which Stove is Best for Your Home appeared first on Fluesbrothers Chimney Service.

Whether you’ve had a harsh winter already this year, or your chimney sustained damage in the past, it’s important to diagnose and repair the damage as soon as possible. Winter-damaged masonry can lead to more serious problems and costs in the future, so the sooner you call a professional, the better.

Common Winter Damage

• Chimney Leaks – When water enters the chimney system it can be catastrophic, leading to water damage in the chimney system itself, the fireplace or appliance, and also the rest of the home. The water may enter by a faulty chimney cap, damaged crown, spalling masonry, or dislodged flashing, but the water may travel through the home and form a leak elsewhere, many rooms away from the chimney. Expert tip: have your chimney system inspected annually and waterproofed after repairs so that the masonry is protected from water penetration.
• Spalling Masonry – When the masonry becomes cracked, crumbles, and bricks and mortar pieces begin to fall, this is called spalling. Spalling masonry is extremely dangerous for the chimney and can cause bricks to fall onto and damage the roof and landscaping below as it becomes more serious. Expert tip: have your masonry waterproofed with a deep-penetrating water repellent by Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep to prevent water masonry damage. Schedule a professional to repair your masonry through a process called tuckpointing.
• Crown Damage – Winter weather can wreak havoc on a chimney crown that is old, poorly maintained, and improperly constructed. If a crown is too thin, flat, or made of the wrong materials, water can penetrate it during winter months and then freeze, causing more damage through what’s called the freeze-thaw cycle. Expert tip: ask your chimney professional specific questions about crown construction. It should be constructed with the right materials and design for a lasting crown.
• Dislodged Flashing – Harsh winter temperatures and storms can lead to dislodged flashing. Since the intersection of the chimney and roof is the most vulnerable part of your entire chimney system, dislodged flashing can have serious hazardous results. Expert tip: look at your flashing after strong winds or prolonged ice or snow exposure. Exposed nails, shifted metal, and missing flashing is reason to call a professional right away.

The Freeze-Thaw Cycle

Winter is the most common time for chimney damage that has nothing to do with the fire. Yes, you’re using your fireplace more, but winter damage is caused by outside forces—temperatures, pressures, precipitation, animals, and more. The worst thing that can happen to your chimney during winter months is water penetration. Because masonry is porous by nature, allowing water to penetrate beyond the surface, freezing temperatures can be devastating as the moisture trapped in the masonry freezes and thaws. Water fills the gaps and voids in the masonry, then freezes as temperatures fall. The water expands as it freezes, breaking apart the masonry. Then when a fire is lit or the sun warms the chimney again the water thaws and moves further into the damaged masonry. This process repeats all winter long, causing serious damage in a short time. If this damage isn’t repaired and the chimney waterproofed, the chimney may require a serious repair or rebuild. If the damage remains throughout the spring months, water will have a direct route into the chimney system to make more damage.

Chimney Repairs and Waterproofing in Boston, North Shore, and Portland

Home and business owners in and around Boston, North Shore, and Portland areas continue to depend on Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep for all their ongoing chimney needs, including repairs and waterproofing services. Our goal to keep our friends and neighbors in our service area safe and warm each winter is the reason why we offer expert services like crown repair, tuckpointing, chimney relining, rebuilds, renovations, and more. We also specialize in preventive services such as waterproofing, chimney sweeps, and CSIA inspections.

Our chimney experts are CSIA certified chimney sweeps, experienced master masons, and trained installers. When you hire a Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep you are depending on the best our service area has to offer. We show up with clear ID tags, clean uniforms, and branded company vehicles. You will never second guess your choice in companies or technicians. We keep your home clean of toxins and dirtiness while we work and hand you a written report when the service is complete. If your chimney requires repairs, we provide before and after footage for your own records and to present to your home-owners insurance or realtor. We use a camera system to get up-close-footage during each chimney sweep and inspection and offer a complimentary carbon monoxide test to insure hidden dangers aren’t present.

Schedule Now

We are only just into winter, but damage can occur in a short time. Damage from previous years can go unnoticed, and all you notice as a homeowner is the repercussion. If your fireplace, stove, or chimney is suddenly working improperly, if you notice signs of water damage, or the system works differently in any way, it’s time to have it checked out.

Contact Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep now to schedule important diagnostic services. Call 617-469-4528 today.

The post Winter Damage to Your Chimney System appeared first on Billy Sweet Chimney Sweep.

Are you new with chimney cleaning and wondering what does a chimney sweep do? A chimney sweep is a professional who sweeps and cleans chimneys, flue pipes, smoke ducts, and fireplaces to prevent chimney fires and harmful gas emissions.

Specialized chimney sweeps have fire prevention skills and work closely with the fire department. Confused how to use your chimney, the professional will advise you on the right wood to burn and how to maintain the chimney.

How often should you get the chimney cleaning technician?

The frequency at which you do it depends on how you use the chimney. If you use the fireplace every day, it means that soot builds up fast, and you have to remove it more often to keep your chimney clean and safe. So you have to hire the professional more often.

As a homeowner, you should make the work easy for the cleaning professional. Have a ladder, sweeping hatch, and soot hatch in place before the professional arrives.

Experienced cleaning professionals will clean your chimney within 10-30 minutes, depending on how dirty it is and its design.

What should you consider when hiring the cleaning professional?

For peace of mind, work with an experienced contractor and not someone that will cause more harm to your fireplace. Some of the things you should consider when hiring include:

NFI certification: Before you allow the technician to work on your chimney, ask them whether they are NFI certified. You should note that some chimney cleaning companies are certified, but they send uncertified technicians.

Even if the technician is coming from a reputable company, don’t work with them as you aren’t sure about their experience level. Only work with certified individuals.

Liability insurance: Things can go wrong during chimney cleaning. For example, the cleaning technician can fall and hurt themselves. Some of your household items can get damaged during the cleaning.

A good chimney cleaning technician should be insured. This way, you have peace of mind that in the event of an accident, you won’t be held responsible. It will be the responsibility of the insurance company.

References: Has the technician worked with other people before? For peace of mind, the contractor will do a good job, and you want a professional that has handled several similar projects in the past.

When interviewing the technician, ask them about the clients they have worked with within the past.

When they give you their contacts, don’t be like the other homeowners that simply look at them then put them away. Take time to contact the clients and ask them about their experience with the contractor.

Did they enjoy working with the technician? Would they recommend them?

Of course, you want to work with technicians with armies of satisfied customers raving about their prowess.

Unresolved complaints: Does the technician have any unresolved complaints filed against them? You can ask them about this or get online and see what people are saying.

It’s difficult for any contractor to satisfy every customer they come across, but at the same time, they shouldn’t have too many negative reviews.

Stay away from a contractor with too many unresolved complaints. This is because it means they are incompetent in their work. Hence the chances are that they will take you the same rabbit hole and give you substandard services. You don’t want this, do you?

How to work with a chimney sweep

You should be friendly with the contractor when he/she arrives at your home. If you have a beverage, give it to them.

As mentioned above, work at making their lives easier by getting a ladder and any other tool they might need for their work.

While there are many reputable cleaning professionals, it’s always wise to protect yourself. When a contractor tells you the chimney has excessive damage, ask for visual proof.

Remember, contractors charge by the amount of work your chimney requires. So to avoid paying too much for it, see the evidence to ensure that the technician isn’t exaggerating the extent of damage so that they can rip you off.

Parting shot

Chimney sweeps are necessary for a clean and safe chimney. For you to get the most from them, hire experienced chimney cleaning services Annapolis providers that are insured and dependable.

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