Our Company Blog

Add a Chimney Sweeping to Your Holiday Checklist

The hearth and a crackling fire is a traditional part of the holiday season. So, now you will want to make sure that your fireplace and chimney are ready. This is for your friends and family to gather around. Make sure you add a chimney sweeping to your holiday checklist!

Add a Chimney Sweeping to Your Holiday Checklist Image - Indianapolis IN - Your Chimney SweepMake sure your chimney is safe for holiday fires

An annual chimney sweeping and inspection is a vital part of your home maintenance. If you have not yet had your chimney swept and inspected since the last fire-burning season, you need to before you light your holiday fires.

Your annual chimney sweeping and inspection ensures that your chimney is safe for use and ready for holiday fires. In addition, your chimney sweeping clears away dangerous and flammable creosote, as well as any blockages that may have formed within your chimney. The inspection looks for any weaknesses in your chimney or firebox that could lead to chimney failure. Why do this now? A chimney sweeping and inspection for the holiday season dramatically lowers your risk of a chimney fire or deadly carbon monoxide poisoning!

Have your fireplace ready

Don’t let your fireplace be a point of frustration this holiday season. Turning on your fireplace to find that the pilot won’t ignite?  Lighting a fire to find that smoke billows back into your living space? This can definitely dampen your holiday gatherings. Your chimney sweeping and inspection will include an inspection of your fireplace and all of its working components. Your sweep will help you make sure that your fireplace is in good repair. Also, make sure it’s ready to warm your home this holiday season.

Have a cleaner home

A dirty chimney can mean a dirtier home. A dirty chimney can fill your home with unpleasant smell. This includes smoky, rotting or decaying smells. Having your chimney cleaned can help to clear away those unpleasant smells. This way your home is fresher and cleaner as you prepare for holiday parties and holiday guests.

Enjoy a more efficient fire

A chimney sweeping also can have you enjoying more efficient fires this holiday season. A clean chimney and freshly tuned fireplace operates more efficiently. For a wood-burning fireplace, that means less tending to the fire. For a gas fireplace, that means lower energy bills.

If your chimney needs to be swept and inspected as you prepare for your holiday gatherings, call Your Chimney Sweep to schedule your chimney and fireplace services today! Your Chimney Sweep can help you to check your chimney sweeping and inspection off of your holiday to-do list. In addition, help you have your home ready for your holiday guests and holiday gatherings.

By Joe Sauter on December 14th, 2016 | Tagged with: Tags: , , | Leave a Comment

Preparing your chimney for winter

Your chimney gets the most use during the cold winter months, and it also takes the most abuse. When temperatures drop, your chimney bears the heat of your fireplace as well as the cold winter temperatures, ice and snow. There are several things you can do to prepare your chimney for winter fires and winter weather.

winter-fireplace-chimney-prep-image-indianapolis-in-your-chimney-sweep

Schedule your annual cleaning and inspection.

Preparing your chimney for winter begins with your annual chimney cleaning and inspection by a CSIA-certified chimney sweep. The cleaning will make sure that your chimney is free from creosote, blockages, cracks and water damage. When your chimney undergoes its annual cleaning and inspection, you can feel confident that your chimney is ready for the fire-burning season.

Install a chimney cap.

Winter brings the potential for water damage to your chimney, and when water penetrates your chimney, it can leak down the walls of your flue, damaging the metal liner or masonry, rusting your damper and even causing damage to your fireplace. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, the best way to protect your chimney from water damage is installing a chimney cap. Installing a chimney cap this fall can have your chimney ready to fend of rain, ice and snow.

Check your chimney’s flashing.

The flashing around the base of your chimney keeps water from running into your home where the roof meets the chimney. Over time, that flashing can break down and leave your home susceptible to water damage. Before the winter snow and ice, make sure your flashing is secure, and have it repaired, if needed. If your chimney is on a portion of your chimney that is exposed to a lot of rainwater or melting snow, you can consider installing a metal cricket to divert the water from the base of your chimney.

Repair any cracks.

Over time, your chimney’s masonry, whether it’s the bricks or your chimney crown, can crack or spall. Those cracks can become worse during the winter when your chimney is exposed to excess moisture and freezing temperatures. Make sure you address any damaged masonry now so problems don’t become worse this winter.

Consider waterproofing.

Consider applying a waterproof seal to the outside of your chimney to protect the chimney from water damage. When water seeps into your chimney’s masonry during the winter months, that water can freeze, expanding and causing cracks to the brick, the same way it causes potholes in the road. Chimney water proofing keeps water out while still allowing your chimney’s masonry to breathe.

Call the chimney experts.

As you prepare your chimney for winter, call the chimney experts at Your Chimney Sweep. We can provide you with your annual chimney cleaning and inspection, repair any problems you may have with your chimney and talk to you about waterproofing to protect your chimney’s masonry. We can help you prepare your chimney for this winter’s harsh weather!