For Chimney Sweeping & Cleaning Services in Vermont & Near Rutland, We’re the Name To Trust
It’s a simple fact: A chimney that has been cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep is a safer chimney. That’s why reputable and esteemed organizations like the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) always urge homeowners to invest in annual chimney inspection services and maintenance. If you need a chimney sweep service near you, we’ve got you covered.
If you’re in the Rutland area, trust our chimney service experts for chimney sweeping and cleaning services. Investing in these before your burn season kicks off is the best way to guarantee peace of mind for yourself and your household.
Ready to schedule? Call us or book online today.
What Does a Chimney Sweep Service Consist Of?
First things first, when we come to your house, we’ll take all necessary precautions to ensure your home and furniture stay safer and soot-free. Once our equipment is all set up and your space is adequately protected, we’ll get to work. You can expect the following process:
- We’ll conduct a visual inspection of the chimney, both inside and out, to check for any obvious signs of damage, blockages, or other issues.
- We’ll sweep the flue using brushes and rods, ensuring creosote, soot, and other combustion byproducts are safely removed.
- If there are any blockages, such as nests, leaves, or other debris, we’ll remove them to ensure proper ventilation.
- We’ll inspect the damper, chimney cap, and crown for signs of wear or damage, as these components help protect the chimney from weather and animals.
- After cleaning, we’ll do one final inspection to ensure that the chimney is all set and ready for use.
Afterwards, our technicians may make recommendations for maintenance and repairs. We’re also here to answer your questions, offer safety tips, and provide advice on how to maintain your chimney and fireplace between sweepings.
Do All Chimneys Need Sweeping? What Types of Chimney Flues Do We Clean?
Every chimney, no matter the fuel it vents, needs to be swept and inspected by a certified chimney sweep on a regular basis. Here are the systems we’re happy to work on:
- Oil Flues: Oil chimney sweeping and inspection is necessary to remove oil soot (unburned carbon & sulfur produced from the furnace) which deteriorates the interior of a chimney. If oil chimneys are not swept on a regular basis, the lining will deteriorate and break down from a sulfuric acid reaction – and possibly even collapse – allowing deadly carbon monoxide intrusion into your home.
- Wood-Burning Flues: Cleaning and inspecting wood stoves, inserts, and wood furnaces should be done on a yearly basis. Creosote needs to be removed, and the chimney and stove should be inspected for any cracks as well. We’ll also ensure the unit was properly installed and that proper clearances to combustibles are in place according to the NFPA-211 national code. More and more insurance companies are requiring wood stoves to be certified by an authorized sweep, so don’t hesitate to get this maintenance done!
- Gas-Burning Flues: Gas-burning fireplace systems burn cleaner, yes, but many then jump to the assumption that inspections and cleaning aren’t required as often – or at all. This is a big misconception, and it can lead to all kinds of issues and dangers, like carbon monoxide exposure. Gas systems can still accumulate outside debris and attract animals, so like a wood-burning setup, they should be serviced every year.
- Pellet Stove Flues: Pellet stove chimneys should be cleaned on a yearly basis. Each stove comes with manufacturer’s instructions that guide the homeowner on daily or weekly cleaning instructions, but the chimney also needs professional sweepings to remove the ash produced from the pellets in the chimney.
Oh – and we won’t neglect your firebox, either. Fireplace fireboxes need to be cleaned to remove the creosote from the flue opening, smoke chamber, damper shelf (creosote accumulates on the shelf and can only be cleaned by removing the damper or vacuuming it), damper throat, and, of course, the firebox itself.
All in all, cleaning the fireplace on a regular basis will help prevent chimney fires and keep a good flow of air so there is no smoke backup. Just a small amount of creosote on the liner can severely restrict the flow of air, so don’t put this service off.
What Are Signs My Chimney Needs Sweeping?
You should be booking regular sweeping services, regardless of whether or not obvious issues are present. That said, if you notice any of the following in between your cleaning services, don’t hesitate to call in our technicians to take a look:
- The fireplace is emitting strong odors. Strong, unpleasant smells – whether musty, campfire-like, or rotten – coming from your fireplace or chimney is always a bad sign.
- You spot visible, thick creosote deposits. If you can clearly see lots of creosote (a black, tar-like substance) lining your flue walls, give us a call to do a sweeping.
- Smoke is entering your living space. You light a fire and smoke starts pouring into your living space…not the best experience and a clear indication that blockages are present.
- You’re struggling to start/maintain fires. This could be due to poor airflow caused by an obstructed or dirty chimney.
- You see or hear animals in the chimney. If you hear rustling or other sounds coming from the chimney or see signs of animal nests, get a pro in to look things over right away.
Or, if you just feel like your system is operating out of the norm, reach out! It’s always better to err on the side of safety, and we’d be happy to check things over to give you that peace of mind you’re seeking.
How Does a Dirty Chimney Cause Damage & Inefficiency?
There are actually lots of ways a dirty chimney can wreak havoc on your chimney and fireplace.
Interior Deterioration
Exhaust gases from wood, oil, coal, pellet, and gas heating appliances produce chemicals and condensation which deteriorates the interior of the chimney. This results in the clay flue tiles and other masonry to break down – or even possibly collapse. All of these issues can allow smoke and deadly carbon monoxide intrusion into your home.
Potential Fire Hazards
In addition, a dirty chimney poses a significant fire hazard. As you burn fuel, a substance called creosote can accumulate on the walls of the chimney. Creosote is highly flammable, and if it builds up excessively, it can ignite, leading to a chimney fire. Chimney fires can spread rapidly, putting your entire home at risk and endangering the lives of everyone inside.
Fire hazards also can occur if dirt, twigs, leaves, and similar items have accumulated in your flue.
Improper Airflow
When a chimney is clogged with soot, ash, animal nests, or…anything else, really, it will obstruct airflow and prevent the proper ventilation of smoke and gases. This blockage forces these harmful substances back into your home, where they can impact your indoor air quality significantly.
This can cause respiratory issues and other health problems for your family, especially for those who already have asthma, severe allergies, or other similar diagnoses.
Lower Efficiency Levels
When you run your fireplace, getting adequate heat output is important. A dirty chimney decreases the efficiency of your heating system significantly, preventing it from drafting properly and causing your heating appliance to work harder to achieve the desired temperature.
This not only affects comfort levels in your home, but can contribute to higher energy bills and shorten the lifespan of your heating equipment due to all that added strain.
Compromised Structure
Moisture from condensation, combined with the acidic byproducts of combustion, can seep into cracks and gaps in the chimney, leading to significant deterioration of the structure as a whole. This can result in costly repairs or, in extreme cases, the need for a complete chimney rebuild.
After seeing all the risks a simple sweeping service can help mitigate, it’s clear that booking your annual service isn’t a task to put off. Get in touch with our team today so we can get started.
Trust Our Experts: We Prioritize Your Safety & Satisfaction
When it comes to chimney cleaning and sweeping services in Rutland, our skilled technicians are dedicated to providing thorough, reliable service that ensures your home stays warmer and safer all season long.
We have years of experience, a commitment to excellence, and we strive to be the name you can count on to keep your chimney in top condition. Schedule your chimney cleaning today – we can’t wait to hear from you.
Be sure to schedule your annual chimney inspection so you’re ready for the next burn season. Our chimney services include this function and more!