Chimney Sweep
Why A Chimney Clean is Important
Many people enjoy snuggling up by the fireplace during a cold night. And while we are quick to light up the fireplace when it gets cold, little thought is put into when was the last time the chimney was cleaned. If you use your fireplace often then a chimney cleaning should be an essential part of your home maintenance routine.
A chimney sweep is essential because it removes creosote, which is a flammable residue that accumulates in chimneys, and to some extent, inside fireplaces. If ignored long enough, it can get so thick that the heat from a fireplace fire can ignite it. Fires inside the chimney, rather than the fireplace, can heat surrounding structures enough to ignite them as well. Then, the fire spreads to the house, causing extensive damage or even burning it to the ground.
Needless to say, this is the main reason people get their chimneys cleaned. After all, this isn't a space people will see unless they intentionally look up there.
How often you need a chimney sweep depends mostly on how often you light fires in your fireplace. What you burn there is another important factor. Some types of wood produce more smoke and creosote than others. Meanwhile, wood alternatives often produce very little creosote.
Other chimney cleaning services are typically needed less often, but they can be just as vital. One such service is the chimney inspection. There are three levels of chimney inspections, and which one is best depends on the goal. Most chimneys just need a Level 1 chimney inspection, which involves a visual inspection of the readily-accessible levels of the chimney. It will spot things like deteriorating masonry or mortar, storm damage, and similar kinds of wear. When you get a routine inspection just to make sure everything's okay, this is the level you will usually need.
A Level 2 chimney inspection is a more thorough version of Level 1. It not only includes the chimney itself, but also the fireplace cleanout area, the ash pit, the entire smoke chamber, and all parts of the flue. If your chimney passes this inspection, you can be almost certain that everything is fine.
When you've seen signs of serious problems or one of the prior inspections have revealed suspicious results, you may need a Level 3 chimney inspection. This covers concealed areas of your chimney and fireplace. In some cases, the walls or chimney will have to be partially dismantled. This is an inspection done when there are clear signs that there is a hidden problem that must be fixed.
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Whether you are in need of a chimney sweep or chimney inspection, we are here to help. Here at Living Wells Chimney Services LLC, we are a fully licensed and insured company based out of Takoma Park, Maryland. We offer a complete line of chimney cleaning and fireplace services. We do everything from chimney sweep, chimney repairs, chimney inspections, and chimney liner, etc.
Schedule your appointment today!
