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

Schedule a Fireplace Inspection for Valentine’s Day

Many homeowners leave their hearths untouched throughout the year, lighting it only for holidays and special occasions. Valentine’s Day is one of those days that inspires homeowners to ignite their otherwise unused fireplaces. Before you light your fireplace to strike a romantic mood this Valentine’s Day, schedule a chimney sweeping and inspection.

Inspections for Pellet Stoves and Wood-Burning Fireplaces

A chimney sweeping and inspection is crucial if you haven’t lit your fireplace since the last fire-burning season. For wood- and pellet-burning appliances, highly flammable creosote builds up in your chimney each time you burn a fire. When it builds up deep enough, a burning ember can cause the creosote to suddenly ignite. That’s why an annual chimney sweeping and inspection is recommended to prevent a dangerous and damaging chimney fire.

Your chimney inspection also will identify any damage that could lead to a chimney fire or any other problems with your chimney. During your inspection, your chimney sweep will locate any cracks or weaknesses in the chimney, blockages in the chimney or portions of the chimney that aren’t working. You’ll be able to rest assured that your chimney is safe to use this Valentine’s Day.

Inspections for Gas-Burning Appliances

Your gas-burning fireplace also needs a cleaning and inspection before you light it this Valentine’s Day! While gas-burning fireplaces burn cleaner than wood-burning fireplaces and don’t deposit creosote in the chimney, dirty gas fireplaces can cause plenty of problems, too. Dust or debris within the fireplace can cause the fireplace to malfunction or to fail to light entirely. A malfunctioning fireplace also can lead to a buildup of dangerous carbon monoxide in your home.

A cleaning and inspection of your gas-burning fireplace clears away any debris that could keep your fireplace from igniting this Valentine’s Day, and it ensures that all of the working components of your gas fireplace are functioning properly. Even though the fireplace for your gas chimney won’t accumulate creosote, it should still be cleared of corrosive soot and inspected for cracks or other damage that could render it unfit.

Don’t let a dirty or malfunctioning fireplace — or worse, a chimney fire — interfere with your romantic Valentine’s Day plans. Make  sure that your chimney is safe to use and ready to strike the romantic mood for your Valentine’s Day. Call to schedule your chimney sweeping and inspection with Your Chimney Sweep today!

By Joe Sauter on February 6th, 2018 | Tagged with: Tags: , , , | Leave a Comment