Why hire a chimney sweep?

Over 40% of all homes in Houston have a fireplace. They provide warmth, architectural interest, and the proper maintenance and care of your fireplace and chimney can increase the value of your home. However, the care and maintenance of a home’s chimney are often overlooked.

It’s extremely important to ensure your fireplace is safe as it can be. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), "Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary." This is the national safety standard and is the correct way to approach the problem. It considers the fact that even if you don't use your chimney much, animals may build nests in the flue or there may be other types of deterioration that could make the chimney unsafe to use.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that open masonry fireplaces should be swept at 1/8" of sooty buildup, and sooner if there is any glaze present in the system.  This is enough fuel buildup to cause a chimney fire capable of damaging the chimney or spreading to the home. Factory-built fireplaces should be swept when any appreciable buildup occurs. The logic is that the deposit is quite acidic and can shorten the life of the fireplace.

A chimney sweep is a reliable way to prevent a chimney fire!

Your chimney is a significant ventilation system that allows smoke, toxins, and dangerous fumes to escape the home. With a clean chimney, all these dangerous fumes can freely leave your home. With time, creosote appears in a dirty chimney. Creosote is a black, sticky residue that is left inside your chimney when the wood is burned or when there isn’t enough ventilation. The problem with creosote is that it’s highly flammable, making it one of the main causes of chimney fires.

With better air circulation, you have a more efficient chimney at home. Sweeping your chimneys regularly can also prevent future damage that can be quite costly. Since soot accumulates around the flue, the grime prevents the flue from freely directing the smoke upwards. Subsequently, your furniture could be damaged by a layer of soot, and a black film could cover the hearth and around your chimney, staining it, making it almost impossible to remove.

Call SOS-ASAP For Help With Your Chimney Needs!

Fireplace weather will be here before we know it. Make sure your chimney is safe and clean. Give us a call at 713-397-4477 for an appointment..