Many of us like to start off the new year with resolutions to improve our lives, and a common resolution is to take better care of our homes. Owning a home requires a few routine maintenance tasks, and when you live in a house with a fireplace, one of these tasks includes an annual chimney sweeping. At Blue Ridge Chimney Services, we offer this professional maintenance service to keep your chimney safe and clean. Our Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified chimney sweeps have been trained to follow the guidelines recommended by the CSIA when performing this task. You can trust us to thoroughly clean your chimney so that you can enjoy cozy, warm, and safe fires all winter long. We would like to tell you more about our chimney sweeping service and why this task is recommended by the CSIA, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and other national fire safety organizations.
Why do I need my chimney swept every year?
A professional chimney sweeping is recommended annually for a very important safety reason: to prevent chimney fires. According to the CSIA, dirty chimneys are the main cause of chimney fires. Not only does your chimney accumulate dust and soot, but creosote, a natural compound that forms during the combustion process of burning wood, can stick to the interior walls of your chimney and build up into large deposits. If the internal temperature of your chimney gets hot enough, these accumulations of creosote can easily ignite and start a chimney fire. The CSIA-certified chimney sweeps at Blue Ridge Chimney Services guarantee to remove every bit of creosote from the inside of your chimney to greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a chimney fire.
What can I expect from a chimney sweeping from Blue Ridge Chimney Services?
Our chimney sweeping service generally takes about an hour and a half from the time our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps arrive at your home. We begin this process by protecting your home from soot and dust by laying down tarps and drop cloths around the area surrounding your hearth. We do ask that you move any furniture and breakables that are within eight feet of your fireplace. We will then clean your chimney from top to bottom using specialized tools including vacuums and brushes on rods. We will take great care to remove every bit of hazardous creosote and other unwanted materials from the inside of your chimney. Safety is our top priority, and we want to reduce as many fire hazards as possible. After we ensure your chimney is cleaned, we will then examine your chimney in a professional chimney inspection. We will be looking for any signs of damage that could cause potential problems when you use your fireplace. If we do find any damage, we will make recommendations for necessary repairs to allow your chimney to function efficiently and safely. We will then clean up our drop cloths and tarps and leave you with a written evaluation of your fireplace and chimney system.
Start off your new year with a professional chimney sweeping. Contact us at Blue Ridge Chimney Services to schedule an appointment today.