Our Company Blog

Schedule an Early Chimney Sweeping

Summer is here! Have you started thinking about your annual chimney sweeping and inspection? The answer, most likely, is absolutely not. The sun is shining and temperatures are soaring, and lighting a fire is likely the farthest thing from your mind. Thinking about your chimney sweeping and inspection right now, however, isn’t such a crazy thought. In fact, there are several reasons you should be thinking about scheduling an early chimney sweeping.

Beat the Rush

One of the top reasons to schedule your chimney sweeping early is that you’ll beat the rush! Most homeowners know that keeping their home safe from the dangers of a chimney fire or carbon monoxide poisoning means having their chimney swept and inspected at least once per year. For most people, that means calling their chimney sweep when summer vacation ends, the days get shorter and temperatures begin to drop. When you wait until the fall, you’ll be contesting with everyone else to get your sweep to schedule an appointment. Scheduling now means you won’t have to wait to have your chimney swept, you will be able to find an appointment time that better suits your schedule and you won’t risk delaying your first fire while you wait for the chimney sweep to fit you into his or her schedule.

Protect Your Chimney and Fireplace

Believe it or not, an early sweeping is actually better for your fireplace and chimney system. That’s because the byproducts of combustion, whether you’re burning wood or gas, is corrosive. Leaving soot or creosote on the insides of your hearth appliance and your chimney all summer gives those corrosive byproducts the opportunity to deteriorate your fireplace components and your chimney liner. By having your chimney and fireplace cleaned as soon as the fire-burning season is over, you remove those damaging byproducts from the surfaces of your fireplace and chimney before they can cause additional damage.

Have Time for Repairs

Homeowners get used to the quick routine of fireplace sweeping and inspection. The chimney sweep cleans the fireplace, gives you the OK to operate the fireplace for the next season and goes on his way. But what about when something goes wrong? Will you have time to fix any problems before the fall? Summer sweepings and inspections leave plenty of time for unanticipated chimney repairs. You can also plan for improvements so your chimney and fireplace are ready to use as soon as temperatures drop.

Summer might be in full swing, but it’s not too soon to schedule your annual chimney sweeping and inspection! Beat the rush and call Your Chimney Sweep to schedule your annual chimney maintenance today!

By Joe Sauter on June 28th, 2018 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Leave a Comment

The Purpose and Function of a Chimney Cap

Have you ever turned your gaze upward to take a look at chimney tops in your neighborhood? Perhaps you’ve noticed that many chimneys are topped with a chimney cap, a mini roof-like structure. You might also have noticed that some chimneys are unprotected from above. So what is the purpose of a chimney cap, and why is it so important?

Keep Water Out

The No.1 function of a chimney cap is to keep water out of your chimney. Without some level of protection, water will run down the walls of your chimney. Once inside, it can damage all of the elements of your fireplace chimney. The water running down the walls of your chimney can create chimney leaks that affect the rest of your home, causing water damage to your home’s surrounding structure. The best way to protect your home from water damage, according to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, is to protect your chimney with a chimney cap.

Create a Barrier for Animals

Whether they’re seeking the warmth and shelter of your chimney’s interior or mistakenly stumble down your chimney flue, birds and animals have a way of finding their way in. Once inside your chimney, birds can create blockages that prevent smoke and carbon dioxide from exiting your chimney. They also can build nests, leave behind waste or even die in the chimney, create damage, leaving debris and filling your home with terrible smells. A chimney cap, outfitted with a barrier screen, prevents animals from entering your chimney, whether intentionally or accidentally.

Prevent Drafts

Your chimney is essentially a door to the outside of your home. Just as smoke can travel up and out of your chimney, cold drafts can find their way down. At a minimum, those drafts can chill your home, making it feel uncomfortable and cold. At their worst, sudden downdrafts can cause smoke, fireplace embers, and even logs to come pouring out of your chimneys. A chimney cap can prevent downdrafts, saving your home from unpleasant drafts and dangerous bursts or air that can send the contents of your fireplace flying.

Keep Out Debris

The wind that blows down your chimney and into your home also can send leaves, twigs and other debris into your fireplace. That debris can form blockages in your chimney that prevent smoke and gases from exiting the chimney or pose a fire hazard. A chimney cap blocks debris from being able to blow into your chimney.

Gaze up at your rooftop and see if a chimney cap protects your chimney. If it’s not, call Your Chimney Sweep to schedule an appointment today! We can install a chimney cap to keep your chimney, and your home, safe from water, animals, drafts, and debris.

By Joe Sauter on March 23rd, 2018 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Leave a Comment