The summer months are a popular time for homeowners to do a thorough cleaning of their entire homes, including the chimney and venting systems. Since so many national fire safety organizations like the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend having chimneys professionally swept and inspected before lighting the first fire of the year, a summer chimney sweeping makes perfect sense. For one thing, it is our offseason at Blue Ridge Chimney Services, so you will have an easier time scheduling your appointment on the date and time that is most convenient for you. If you wait until the fall to take care of this important maintenance task, you may not be able to get an appointment for several weeks because our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps are busy cleaning chimneys of the residents of the Shenandoah Valley. It is very important to have your chimney swept and inspected before using it because there could be potential problems lurking in your flue. When you schedule this maintenance service in the summer, you can rest easy and know that your fireplace will be ready to safely use on the first cool day of fall. We would like to tell you more about what you can expect from our professional chimney sweeping and inspection services.
Chimney Sweeping
When Blue Ridge Chimney Services arrives to your home to sweep your chimney, we begin by protecting the area surrounding your fireplace from soot and dirt by covering it with drop cloths. We then use special tools, such as rods and brushes, to scrub your chimney clean from top to bottom, including the grate, the firebox, and the damper. We take great care to remove all of the creosote that has accumulated on the inner walls of your chimney. A natural compound formed during the combustion process of burning wood, creosote is so highly flammable that the CSIA names it as a leading cause of chimney fires. By getting rid of all of the creosote deposits from your chimney, we greatly reduce your risk of a chimney fire.
Chimney Inspection
To be sure your chimney has no damage or other potential problems, Blue Ridge Chimney Services will inspect the interior and exterior of your chimney after sweeping it. We look for flue blockages created from debris like loose bricks, leaves, and soot, which could lead to hazards such as a chimney fire or a carbon monoxide leak. We will also check out the bricks and mortar of your chimney to see if you have any cracked, loose, or missing bricks or mortar joints that could lead to water leaks and structural problems. After the inspection has been completed, we will provide you with a written evaluation of the condition of your chimney as well as estimates for necessary repairs if damage was found.
While you are doing your summer house cleaning, don’t forget about your chimney and venting system! Contact or call us at Blue Ridge Chimney Services today to schedule your appointment for our professional chimney sweeping and inspection services.