Important Information About Chimney Sweeping
During combustion, black or brown residue collects on the inner surfaces of a fireplace. The residue is highly flammable and hence the need to get rid of it regularly. According to statistics, most house fires are as a result of dirty chimneys. It is recommendable to do the cleaning in late spring or early summer. If you need a professional chimney sweep in Simsbury CT, you can visit the Chimney Safety Institute of America or ask for referrals from friends.
When you hire professional sweeps, they will use long rods which usually contains a metal bristle structure around its tip. A drop cloth or plastic should be laid down to protect your home from the residue that may fall during the cleaning exercise. Professional cleaners also wear masks and goggles to protect their eyes and nose as they do their work.
Some of them may choose to start the task from the top while others may start from the flue and go up. As the homeowner, you can prepare for the cleaning by making sure that the fireplace is easily accessible. Move any furniture or items out of the way and cover them to protect them any residue that may fall from the chimney. Remove all the u nburnt fuel from the fireplace before the sweep visits.
It is recommendable to seek the services of a professional to do the cleaning work as they are skilled and experienced. An expert will easily identify problems which may cause house fires or inefficient burning in your fireplace.
A professional cleaner will also be able to notice any potential problems from the roof. It is a risky exercise if you decide to do it yourself. The earlier the problems are identified, the cheaper it is to fix them. It is advisable to do the cleaning at least once a year.
According to sweeps, the chimney should also be cleaned if they are not in use for a long period. You can consult a professional cleaner to provide insights on an optimum cleaning schedule. If you use a gas fire, the fireplace can stay for a longer period before being swept. To reduce the amount of residue formed in your fireplace, consider using hardwoods in your fireplace.
Most home improvement scams result from uninvited cleaners. Therefore, never hire a cleaner who comes to your home without an invitation. Every homeowner would want to save some coins when they need their fireplace to be swept. However, you should beware of individuals or firms that may contact you and offer a very, very low price for their professional services. Most of them are just interested in doing some type of repair work in your home.
In some cases, scammers may show you photos claiming that they are from your home just to convince you to hire them. Check the images to make sure that they are from your house. If you doubt the inspection report from one service provider, consider seeking a second opinion. Avoid companies and individuals who push you to make immediate decisions to hire them.