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As the leaves begin to fall, many people start to think about getting cozy in front of their fireplaces. So before fall and winter roll around, ask yourself, is your chimney clean? Have you ever cleaned it or had it cleaned? Now is the time to figure it out, don't wait until last minute!
We will guide you through the basics of a chimney sweep and help you identify different ways to tell if your chimney is ready for a sweep. If you are a handyman, you may even be able to DIY this project. If not, don't panic, chimney sweeps typically won't be too costly and are often quite affordable. We will cover all of these topics and more!
What Is a Chimney Sweep?
When it comes to a chimney sweep and how it works, you will first want to understand the chimney and the different parts it is made up of. Here are a few of the important ones to remember:
Chimney Crown
The chimney crown is the part of the chimney that sits at the top and seals it off. If the crown is damaged, it can allow water and animals into the chimney. It is important to keep the crown in good condition to prevent damage to the rest of your chimney.
Flue
A chimney flue is the part of the chimney that directs exhaust gases out of the home. The flue is lined with a material that can withstand high temperatures, such as brick, tile, or metal. The flue is also insulated to help keep the heat inside.
Smoke Chamber
A smoke chamber is a section of a chimney that is specifically designed to allow smoke and gases to flow from the fireplace or stove into the flue. The smoke chamber is typically located between the firebox and the flue, and it helps to create a draft that propels the smoke and gases up and out of the chimney. Smoke chambers are typically wedge-shaped, with the widest part at the bottom and the narrowest part at the top. This shape helps to create a strong draft in the chimney.
Smoke Shelf
In a chimney, a smoke shelf is a horizontal surface where smoke and gases flow across on their way up the chimney. Smoke shelves help to slow down the movement of smoke and gases, which gives them more time to warm up and rise. This makes the chimney more efficient and helps to prevent fires from occurring.
Damper
A damper is a valve that can be used to close off the chimney when it's not in use. This helps keep warm air in your home and prevents drafts from blowing through your chimney. Dampers can be opened and closed using a lever or a knob, depending on the type of damper you have.
Ash Dump
In a fireplace, there will usually be a small trapdoor called the Ash dump. This is a small box used to store the ashes that have built up from past fires. This will make sure the firebox doesn't become crowded with old ashes.
Firebox
A firebox is the part of a chimney that holds the fire. It is usually made of brick or masonry and is located in the fireplace. The purpose of the firebox is to provide a place for the fire to burn and to allow air to flow around the fire.
Now that you understand the different parts of a chimney and what they do, you can start to get an idea of what a chimney sweep is and why they are so important. Chimney sweeps are generally done by professionals that work for or own a chimney cleaning business. They will use specialized tools and techniques to clean your chimney safely and effectively.
Why Regularly Sweeping Your Chimney Is Important
Most people know that they need to sweep their chimneys, but don't know how often they should do it. The general consensus is that you should sweep your chimney at least once a year. However, if you use your fireplace a lot, you may need to do it more often than that.
Sweeping your chimney is important because it helps remove soot and more importantly removes the build-up of creosote in the chimney.
Creosote is incredibly flammable and is the main cause of chimney fires. Regularly cleaning your chimney (about once a year) will reduce the amount of creosote in your chimney and should greatly reduce the risk of any chimney fires in the future.
It's also important to make sure that the chimney cap is in good condition and that there are no gaps or holes in the flue. If your chimney has damage it may allow for animals to find a home inside which can lead to a rodent problem relatively fast.
So, if you haven't already, make sure to have someone inspect your chimney and consider getting it cleaned soon!
Dangers of Creosote
Creosote is a by-product of burning woods, coal, natural gas, and other materials. It is a highly flammable tar-like substance with a black or dark brown color to it. This will build up over time from having fires and can ignite, lighting a fire inside parts of your chimney.
This is extremely dangerous as it can lead to catching nearby areas on fire, eventually leading to a full-on house fire. While this is dangerous it's also pretty simple to avoid. Creosote can have a strong smell which will be a tell-tale sign to get your chimney cleaned. Performing regular chimney maintenance and getting it swept routinely can easily prevent the risk of chimney fires.
How to Tell if Your Chimney Needs Cleaned
While it is recommended to clean your chimney once a year, it sometimes requires being cleaned more often than that. Instead of just setting a date once a year, here are a couple of ways to tell if it should be cleaned before that one-year mark.
The first way to tell if your chimney needs cleaning is to look for soot buildup on the inside of the chimney. Having large amounts of soot build-up is a sign of high usage or that it hasn't been cleaned in a while.
Experts in the field suggest running a fireplace poker along the inside of your chimney liner, and if you find a 1/8 inch layer (or more) of build up, then it is time to schedule a cleaning.
Strong odors are another indication that your chimney needs a cleaning. You can actually smell creosote if it's building up in your chimney - the smell will be sharp and pungent. If you notice this it's time to get it cleaned right away.
If you're not sure whether your chimney needs to be cleaned, it's a good idea to call a professional to inspect it. They will be able to provide a recommendation for what service to get and offer an estimate on what the cost will be.
How Much Will This Cost?
When it comes to sweeping a chimney it's important to get the job done right, to do this hiring a professional might be the best option. Hiring services to come to your home can get pricey, luckily a simple chimney sweep shouldn't break the bank. The normal price should range somewhere between $129 and $378, which makes the national average roughly $252.
When determining cost there are a couple of factors to take into account:
- How long has it been since the chimney has been cleaned?
- Who did you hire for the service?
- What kind of space is there to work with?
If tree branches are blocking the way for the chimney sweep, it will most likely cost extra. You may also be looking at a higher price tag if your chimney hasn't been cleaned in a while or has extensive damage to it. The more work requirements for the chimney sweeper, the more the service will end up costing.
In order to make sure the cost fits your budget you will want to consider all the options for cleaning your chimney and pick one based on your needs.
Should You DIY?
On the surface, the process of sweeping your chimney can be fairly simple, although if your chimney is damaged or hasn't been cleaned in a while it may require a professional.
To sweep a chimney yourself you will need a stiff brush, a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment, and protective gear (a dust mask, goggles, and gloves). Visit our other blog for a more extensive list of tools for chimney sweeps.
1. Start by vacuuming up any loose soot or ash from the bottom of the chimney.
2. Use the brush to scrub away any build-up of creosote on the sides of the chimney.
3. Vacuum up any remaining debris.
4. Check the damper for tightness and make any necessary repairs.
5. Inspect the chimney cap and make sure it is in good condition.
Chimneys can have narrow nooks and crannies that are difficult to get into without special equipment. They can also be long and thin making it especially hard to clean the upper sides. Sweeping a chimney yourself can be done but it's likely to run into problems that will need extra thought to get past.
Consider Inspection First
If you choose to DIY your chimney cleaning you might want to consider at least getting a chimney inspection. Having professionals take a look can ensure you don't miss important spots or let you know that it's too involved for doing it yourself.
Make sure to double-check your work and do the job properly without skipping any steps. If the chimney cleaning was done wrong it can give you a false sense of security and allow fires to start inside your chimney.
For a more detailed list of tools and equipment that may be required, check out this fantastic blog written by the professionals at familyhandyman.com. If you are more of a visual learner and prefer YouTube videos to guide you through your DIY projects, check out this helpful video on how to clean your chimney by MrFixIt DIY.
Benefits From Chimney Sweeping
Making sure your chimney is swept regularly can provide plenty of benefits to your home. By sweeping your chimney on a regular basis, you can ensure that it is clean and in good working order for anytime you want to use it. This will help to keep you and your family safe and reduce the risk of a fire.
Additionally, regular chimney sweeping can help to improve the efficiency of your fireplace by keeping it from leaking air in or out, allowing you to potentially save money on heating costs.
When to Hire a Chimney Sweep
If you try to book an appointment with a chimney sweep during winter you may be hit with long wait times. This is because most people will hire someone to sweep their chimney during the winter season when they are using it most and come across issues that need to be fixed.
Realistically, the best time to hire someone to sweep your chimney is in the early fall before you start using your fireplace. This will help you to get ahead of the people booking them up for the winter.
Waiting until the last minute can result in higher prices and keep you from using it if it's in desperate need of a cleaning or repair. If you decide to wait until winter you may also miss out on seasonal discounts that some companies offer.
If you work in the chimney sweep business, learn how to beat the chimney sweep busy season.
Choosing a Company Fit for You
When choosing a chimney sweeping company, it's important to pick the best one for your needs. Some companies are better at cleaning hard-to-reach areas, while others have more experience with certain types of chimneys.
A professional cleaning should include an inspection for soot buildup, obstructions, cracks in the chimney liner and signs of water damage. Older chimneys often have gaps between clay liner sections where the mortar has fallen out.
When hiring a professional chimney sweep, make sure they are certified and insured. They should also provide an upfront cost estimate. (For a list of certified chimney sweeps, contact the Chimney Safety Institute of America at csia.org.)
Here are a couple of different companies that may suit your needs:
Midtown Chimney Sweeps
Midtown Chimney Sweeps is a certified and insured Chimney Sweep and Inspection company based in North America. All Midtown Chimney technicians are Certified Chimney Professionals with the baseline level of competence and authority in the field.
They strive for professionalism and superb customer service and support. This company has great reviews for customer service and quality work. They have locations throughout many states in the US and even operate in Canada.
Blackburn's Chimney Service
If you happen to be in and around the Columbus Ohio area, Blackburn's Chimney Service may be a good choice for you. Offering multiple good deals and services with good customer reviews. It is the mission of Blackburn's Chimney Sweeps Inc. to provide customer service, repairs and products to the Columbus Ohio area that are so superior that they will remain the standard by which all of their competitors will have to measure themselves.
There are tons of chimney sweeping services to choose from, so doing the research is important. It will help ensure your needs are met with professionalism and will help prevent you from getting overcharged.
Final Thoughts
So, is your chimney in need of a sweeping? It’s a good idea to have it swept at least once a year, and potentially more if you use your fireplace frequently. The benefits of having your chimney cleaned include decreased risk of fire, improved air quality in your home, and prevention of dangerous build-up like creosote.
Chimney sweeping is a dirty job and might not be for everybody, but it’s an important one – so be sure to choose a reputable company that will do the job right.
Sweeping your chimney is potentially a DIY project as long as you have the required tools and the proper handy skills. What are you waiting for? Schedule an appointment and rest easy knowing that your chimney is in good hands!
If you are in the chimney sweep industry, Smart Service offers software that can help streamline everyday job processes like scheduling and routing. The industry is tough and Smart Service software can help you stay competitive. Try a free demo today and see if it is the right fit for your chimney sweep business. If you are curious about the benefits that chimney sweep software can provide, see our other article on 4 ways chimney sweep software can boost offseason sales.
