Chimney Sweep Services: Ensuring Efficient Home Heating Systems
Want your home to be 100% safe and your heating bills low?
Few things are more frustrating than a cold home and high heating bills because your chimney isn’t working right. That’s why most homeowners with a fireplace or wood stove know they need professional chimney maintenance. After all, when your chimney system is working right you enjoy:
- Reliable, even heat distribution from season to season
- Significantly lower energy bills
The problem is…
Few homeowners realize just how big a fire hazard their chimney system is. Left to its own devices without professional intervention, a typical home chimney becomes a literal time bomb that cuts your heating efficiency.
When you forgo professional chimney maintenance, you’re literally burning money.
That’s why professional chimney sweep services are the answer. It’s true, you want to ensure that your home is in the safest condition possible all year. The sad fact is that more than 25,000 homes across the US will suffer a chimney fire this year alone. That’s more than $125 million dollars in property damage.
If you want to know everything about how professional chimney services will benefit your home then just keep on reading…
What you’ll learn:
- Why Professional Chimney Services Are Necessary
- The Hidden Dangers In Your Chimney
- The Impact Clean Chimneys Have On Heating Efficiency
- How To Tell Your Chimney Needs To Be Serviced
- How To Select The Correct Chimney Sweep Service
Why Professional Chimney Services Are Necessary
Before we get into all of the benefits professional chimney services provide. Here’s something that you should know…
Professional chimney maintenance isn’t simply a way to keep your chimney clean. It’s actually a service that protects your family and investment. By hiring certified Sweep Smart chimney service providers you get full protection from those services, including cleaning, that extend far beyond removing soot.
But here’s the thing that most people don’t realize…
Professional chimney sweeps are not only in the business of cleaning. They also inspect and diagnose your system to prevent issues before they become serious. During a professional chimney sweep, certified technicians will:
- Remove flammable creosote buildup
- Inspect for any structural damage
- Check for proper ventilation
- Identify any fire hazards
- Ensure your chimney is heating efficiently
The Hidden Dangers In Your Chimney
Let me tell you about the scariest thing that’s likely to be hiding in your chimney right now…
Creosote.
This gummy residue forms in your chimney every time you light a fire. Smoke from your fire rises through the chimney, cooling as it goes and condensing into highly flammable deposits. This creosote adheres to chimney walls and builds up with each fire you light.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America warns that even a thin eighth-inch layer of creosote buildup is extremely hazardous and should be removed as soon as possible. But homeowners have no idea how much buildup is in their chimney until a professional inspection uncovers it.
Here’s something that might surprise you…
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are more than 15,000 chimney-related fires per year. Many of these fires are completely preventable with routine maintenance.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is another silent danger that professional chimney maintenance can prevent. If your chimney cannot vent properly it will cause combustion gases like carbon monoxide to back up into your home. This odorless, colorless gas is fatal.
The Impact Clean Chimneys Have On Heating Efficiency
Here’s one more thing that you might not realize…
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that as little as one-tenth of an inch of soot can reduce the heat output of your fire by up to 50%. Let that sink in for a second.
You’re literally getting half the heat from your fire while using the same amount of fuel.
This means you are forced to buy more firewood, work harder to heat your home and waste money every time you light a fire. Professional chimney cleaning rids your fireplace of all of those efficiency killers. So when the soot, creosote and debris are removed your fireplace can work at peak performance. Hot air flows freely up the chimney creating enough draft to feed oxygen to your fire.
The results are hotter, cleaner burning fires that effectively heat your home with less fuel.
Clean chimneys also eliminate dangerous backdrafts that fill your home with smoke. When you have professional chimney cleaning, airflow is kept proper which keeps smoke and gases moving safely up and out of your home.
Professional chimney maintenance can lower your heating costs by up to 30%.
How To Tell Your Chimney Needs To Be Serviced
Wondering if it’s time to give your chimney a little professional love? Here are the warning signs that you can’t ignore…
White staining on the exterior of your chimney is the sign of water damage and chimney leaks. Water and masonry are not friends and water damage only gets worse with time.
Rust on your damper or the firebox is a sign of moisture intrusion where it doesn’t belong. This can indicate serious structural damage that affects your chimney’s efficiency and safety.
Animals or birds in your chimney are dangerous and create fire hazards and blockages. Professional chimney sweeps will remove these obstructions and place protective caps on your chimney.
Reduced draft or smoke in your room means your chimney isn’t working the way it should. This can be a sign of dangerous blockages or structural damage and needs immediate professional attention.
Odors coming from your fireplace when the weather is humid or wet can be a sign of creosote. Don’t light another fire until you have had your chimney professionally cleaned.
The truth is, if it’s been over a year since your last professional inspection and cleaning. You are already overdue and most issues start small and quickly become expensive disasters if left alone.
How To Select The Correct Chimney Sweep Service
The problem is, not all chimney services are created equally. This is how you find professionals who will actually protect your home…
Look for the certifications. Legitimate chimney professionals are certified by an organization like the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). CSIA certifications only come after extensive training and testing.
Verify their insurance and licensing. Professional chimney sweeps carry liability insurance and have appropriate business licenses. Don’t ever let someone who is not certified and licensed into your home.
Get a detailed written estimate. Good companies will provide a written estimate and break down all services and costs. Avoid fly-by-night companies that provide you with a vague verbal quote or demand payment before they start.
What separates great chimney companies from the rest of the pack…
Is that they take the time to educate their customers. Professional chimney sweeps take the time to explain what they found, why it matters and what you can do to keep your system in the best shape possible in between visits.
They use the latest equipment and techniques. Today’s professional chimney sweeps have specialized cameras, advanced cleaning tools and proper safety equipment.
Above all, the best chimney companies stand behind their work with a written warranty and follow-up service when needed.
Wrapping It All Together
Professional chimney sweep services aren’t just about cleaning, they’re about protecting your home, your family and your pocket book. With 67% of customers are choosing sustainable chimney maintenance options, the chimney maintenance industry is providing a better, safer service than ever before.
The statistics prove it. Thousands of preventable chimney fires occur each year because homeowners neglect professional maintenance. Don’t let your home be one of those statistics.
