Our Company Blog

Remove animals in your chimney

Spring is when most animals and birds are looking for places to nest. As a result, some animals might enter your chimney and make their home there. So what’s the problem with animals in your chimney? And what should you do if an animal has made your chimney their home, or is accidentally trapped inside it?

The dangers of animals in chimneys

Once inside your chimney, animals can cause all sorts of problems. They can damage the components inside your chimney including the chimney liner or chimney damper. Animals can also cause blockage in your chimney, with their bodies or with the nesting materials.

A blockage in your chimney can ignite a dangerous chimney fire. It can also prevent smoke and carbon monoxide from exiting your chimney. Some animals might even bypass your smoke shelf and chimney damper to enter your home, which can then cause serious damage to your property. In addition to causing a blockage in the chimney, the animals that inhibit it can fill it with disgusting smells.

What to do about animals in your chimney

If you have a bird or animals in your chimney, it’s time to call in the professionals. Some animals like chimney swifts are protected, and their nests must stay in your chimney until they decide to move out by choice. Whereas, other animals can be safely removed by a professional. Once an animal has been removed or leave your chimney, it’s crucial to have it properly cleaned and inspected professionally. A chimney sweeping will remove any debris or nesting materials left behind, while the inspection will spot any damages left behind by the critters.

How to prevent animals in your chimney

When it comes to animals in your chimney, it’s best to prevent an animal from the chance to enter your chimney from the start. First, we recommend a sturdy chimney cap affixed with a metal guard, to prevent birds and animals from finding their way into the chimney. You can also fit your chimney for a top-sealing chimney damper, which seals the opening of your chimney to prevent animals or water from entering your chimney at all.

However, if an animal has already found its way into your chimney, call Your Chimney Sweep to schedule an appointment now. Our technicians can remove animals from your chimney, and can also clean and inspect it to find a solution to prevent any future animal invasions!

By Joe Sauter on May 25th, 2018 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Leave a Comment

Prevent Dryer Fires

Are you doing everything you can to protect your home from a damaging and dangerous fire? When was the last time you had your clothing dryer vents were cleaned? The U.S. Fire Administration reports 2,900 clothing dryer fires each year, which result in five deaths, 100 injuries and more than $35 million in property damage. Homeowner’s failure to clean the dryers causes an estimated 34 percent of dryer fires.

How Dirty Dryers Cause a Fire

Most homeowners believe that they’re doing everything they need to prevent a dryer fire by cleaning out the dryer’s lint trap between every load of laundry. However, the lint trap only catches a portion of the lint that each load of laundry creates. Every time the dryer operates, wet lint bypasses the lint trap and collects on the side of the dryer vents. Over time, that dryer lint builds up as more lint sticks each time you dry a load of clothes. When the lint accumulates enough, it begins to inhibit the ability of the dryer to “breathe.” The dryer begins to overheat, and that can cause the lint to ignite.

How to Prevent Dryer Fires

Lower your risk of a dryer fire with a professional dryer vent cleaning. A professional duct cleaner clears away lint accumulation with rotary brushes. During a cleaning, a high-powered vacuum is attached to the vent while rotary brushes are pushed through the vents. The brush handles bend around the curves of the dryer vent to clean the entire length of the vent. Your dryer vent technician inspects the vent to ensure proper installation and condition.

Why You Should Trust Your Chimney Sweep For Your Dryer Vent Cleaning

If your dryer vents are overdue for a cleaning or if you notice signs of a clogged dryer vent, call Your Chimney Sweep today! Signs of clogged dryer vents include longer drying times, an overheating dryer, or a burning smell when the dryer is operating. Your Chimney Sweep is the area’s best choice for dryer vent cleaning because our technicians are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. That means they have been properly trained and tested in cleaning and maintaining clothing dryer vents. The Chimney Safety Institute of America’s Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician designation is the only designation of that type in the country. Therefore, the certification is the only way to know if you have hired a trustworthy dryer vent technician. Schedule your appointment now!

By Joe Sauter on May 10th, 2018 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Leave a Comment