The primary job of a chimney service professional is to aid in the prevention of fires related to fireplaces, wood stoves, gas, oil and coal heating systems and the chimneys that serve them. Chimney sweeps install, clean and maintain these systems, evaluate their performance, prescribe changes to improve their performance, and educate the consumer about their safe and efficient operation.
In doing their primary job of inspecting and sweeping chimneys, chimney professionals also function as on-the-job fire prevention specialists. They are constantly on the lookout for unsafe conditions that can cause home fires or threaten residents with dangerous or unhealthy indoor air quality.
How the chimney cleaning process works
When you trust our team of professionals to clean out your fireplace or chimney, you can feel confident knowing that we’ll leave your house exactly as we found it. We take care to use drop cloths and state-of-the-art equipment to protect your belongings while we work, and we deliver a careful, thorough clean on every service call.
After we’ve performed an inspection for any venting issues or signs of deterioration, we clean your chimney from top to bottom. We’ll scrape away soot and debris buildup from all parts of your chimney — including the damper and firebox — to prevent smoking and reduce the chances of a chimney fire.
How often should I have my chimney cleaned?
This a tougher question than it sounds. The quick simple answer is: The National Fire Protection Association standard 211 says, “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 takes into account 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.
In general, though, if you can see around 1/8 inch or more of soot buildup, your chimney needs a cleaning service. You can easily check for blockages and see how much soot you have inside your chimney by first opening the damper. Then, using a flashlight, reach inside your chimney and remove some soot to test the thickness of the buildup.
Any deposits of creosote or glaze you notice while measuring are also signs your chimney needs cleaning. When you have a buildup of either soot or creosote, your fireplace could become blocked, which means there won’t be any room for the smoke to escape. The result of the blockage is a backdraft effect where the smoke begins flowing into your home instead.
You’ll also want to clean your chimney if you just moved into a new house, and it’s wise to schedule a spring cleaning if you tend to use the fireplace regularly throughout the fall and winter months.
Why would I need a chemical cleaning on my chimney and fireplace?
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that open masonry fireplaces should be cleaned at 1/4 inch of sooty buildup, and sooner if there is any glaze present in the system. Factory-built fireplaces should be cleaned when any appreciable buildup occurs. This is considered to be enough fuel buildup to cause a chimney fire capable of damaging the chimney or spreading to the home.
Benefits of partnering with Atlanta Chimney Doctor
When you partner with Atlanta Chimney Doctor, you can expect personal attention — no matter how big or small your chimney is. Chuck, our company owner, has over 30 years of experience conducting inspections and handling chimney cleaning and repairs, and he contributes to every job performed by his team of chimney sweeps.
Atlanta Chimney Doctor is licensed and fully insured, and we’re proud to be certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. You can trust that we have the experience and skills needed to keep your home and family safe from smoke damage, hazardous fumes and fires.
Best of all, we are proud to offer our exceptional work at competitive rates. Be sure to check out our promos to save even more money on your chimney cleaning costs.
Contact us today for Chimney & Fireplace Cleaning services you can count on
For expert chimney cleaning services in the metro Atlanta area, you can count on our team here at Atlanta Chimney Doctor. Our chimney cleaning cost varies based on project size, so give us a call at (678) 525-7943 for more information. We can discuss your needs and come out to your home to perform an inspection. This in-person evaluation will help us learn more about the scope of your cleaning project and enable us to provide an accurate estimate and recommendations.
If you are ready to get started, fill out our contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We look forward to helping you protect your home and family through our comprehensive chimney and fireplace cleaning services.
