In a world in which modern conveniences such as central heating have largely replaced the once necessary coal and wood fires used to heat homes, one could easily assume that chimney sweeps no longer exist. This would, however, be a false assumption.
Today again many homeowners have turned to wood coal or corn as a cheaper source of energy. Along with this renewed interest in firewood has come a next generation in the wood-burning stove market. While homeowners can enjoy a reduced dependency on expensive natural gas and electricity, wood-burning stoves also bring some problems. Over time, the accumulation of soot, creosote and other by-products creates a fire hazard which can only be eliminated by a professional chimney sweep.
Let’s face it we don’t pay as much attention to chimney maintenance as we should. After all, what you can’t see can’t hurt you, right? And, since it’s relatively difficult to see the inside of your chimney, it’s probably okay. Right? Wrong. Dead wrong. In the United States the increase in deaths and injuries related to fireplaces is growing every year. Over 5,500 fires and 10,000 gas poisonings occur each year due to improper fireplace maintenance. These figures can be greatly reduced with proper care.
It is important to keep a chimney clean regardless of the type of fuel burned. This can prevent fires as well as prevent noxious gasses from entering your home. The chimney carries away toxic gasses emitted from the fire in the fireplace, furnace etc. and it is an important safety measure to ensure it is clean and free from blockage.
A chimney sweep can and will perform routine maintenance and inspection to ensure proper safety standards are met. It is advised that this maintenance on your chimney be carried out once per year. In many countries this is a standard accepted practice. However, this idea still needs to catch on in North America.
Chimney sweeps are available in all areas and can be easily found in the phone book or via an Internet search. Make sure you choose a service that is experienced and properly insured and certified. It is advisable to hire a chimney sweep that only does inspections and cleaning, and does not actually do any repairs. This forces them to be objective about any needed repairs and can minimize unnecessary expenditures.
A chimney sweep will first inspect the chimney for any damage and determine the extent of cleaning necessary. This is done using the proper equipment and is done from the roof with the use of tall ladders. This can sometimes prove dangerous. After the inspection, the cleaning will begin. The room surrounding the chimney will be protected from falling dirt and particles so no damage is incurred. Once the chimney is thoroughly brushed and clean, the technician will vacuum the particles and do a final cleaning of the surrounding area.
Some people may be tempted to do the work themselves. However, there is an aspect of danger to the job and this is one reason to make sure they are properly insured. Professional chimney sweep services are licensed and bonded which will protect you and your investment. It can also be quite time consuming and tiring.
The cost of the service is affordable, generally fewer than two hundred dollars, and depending on the chimney the cleaning will only take approximately one hour. Therefore, using professionals is recommended.