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INSPECTIONS & SWEEPING

The NFPA 211 (the National Fire Protection Association) recommends an annual inspection of any chimney or vent.

An annual inspection and cleaning of your fireplace will lessen the risk of a chimney fire. If not inspected regularly, your chimney (even if not being used often!) can deteriorate and end up needing costly repairs in the future.

 

Has it been a minute since your last inspection? You can trust us to get the job done. After all, this is our burning passion. 

What is creosote and why is it so dangerous?

Creosote is a thick, oily byproduct of burning wood. It's sticky, smelly, and accumulates on the walls of your firebox and chimney flue. While the different stages of build-up create a unique risk, any amount is problematic. It can cause unwanted odors, it can block the airflow needed for proper venting, and worst of all, it's flammable.  With creosote build-up, you're increasing your risk of a chimney fire. 

A cleaning cannot be performed without an inspection. We would never want to go in blind and potentially cause further damage if anything is questionable inside your fireplace. We also want to make sure your stove or fireplace is up to standard prior to your next use!

A sweep cannot be performed without an inspection first. Our goal is to understand the existing condition of your fireplace, determining if it's up to standard and in working order. Having a fire inside your home is a risk, and your safety is our #1 priority. By the time our technician is done, we want to make sure you fully understand the condition of your fireplace and able to make an educated decision on whether or not you should use it. If we didn't do this, we wouldn't be able to sweep at night!

CHIMNEY SWEEPING

This thorough sweep will leave your fireplace happy, fresh, and ready for it's next fire. A certified technician will do all of the sweeping from inside your home. They have all the right tools to reach the top of your flue! They'll also give your firebox and smoke chamber a real good brushing, making sure any creosote build up is removed. Sounds like a dirty job, we know. Our certified technicians will wear shoe covers and lay down a tarp to ensure no soot, ash, or creosote leaves their workspace. They will also run a HEPA vacuum throughout the entire cleaning process, to make sure no dust escapes the fireplace and finds a new, unwanted place to stay.

LEVEL 1 INSPECTION

A certified technician will examine all readily accessible components of your chimney, inside and out. This is to determine the overall basic condition. The fundemenal installation will be inspected as well as all clearances to combustibles. We will determine if any obstructions exsist and identify the nature and volume of combustible deposits. (Since all external components above your roofline are not readily accessible, it is not garaunteed our technician will be able to access it. The weather, as well as the pitch, height, and structure of your roof will be evaulated and a decision will be made accordingly). This is our most common type of inspsection. It's recommended for a chimney that is being used yearly and is not experiencing any known problems.

LEVEL 2 INSPECTION

This will include every service that falls under a level 1 inspection. The main difference is that this inspection involves video scanning and other advanced methods to examine areas that are not readily accessible, including your roof. This is recommended for any of the following scenerios: - In the case of sale or transfer of ownsership of property - Any structural changes were made to your home - The replacement or addition of an appliance - Serious weather conditions caused damage to your home - When structal changes of your chimney are needed (relining, changing in fuel type etc.) - You had a building or chimney fire

LEVEL 3 INSPECTION

This inspection will include all aspects of the level 1 & 2, of course. But this inspection requires the removal of components adjacent to the chimney, such as surrounding drywall, to allow our technicians to inspect the construction and proper clearences of hidden areas. This is recommended if a level 2 inspection indicates a hidden problem that requires further examination.

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