Hey there! Welcome back! As you know, at Seacoast Chimney, we’re committed to providing our customers with a full-service, superior experience. Part of that experience involves educating our customers on why we recommend the services we do and how it benefits them. For example, a chimney sweep is one of the most commonly recommended services, yet it is also one of the most overlooked.
Because of this, we are taking this opportunity to provide you with an inside look at what, why, and how a chimney sweep occurs and benefits your home or commercial property.
What is a chimney sweep?
Before we get started, it’s important to understand what a chimney sweep refers to. While many folks go to the famous scene in Mary Poppins, this isn’t exactly the most recent portrayal of the service. Instead, a sweep refers to the inspection, preparation, detailed cleaning, and meticulous clean-up of your chimney.
Sure, your team of professionals will clean and remove ash and dangerous debris, but with much different means than a broom – we’ll come back to this.
Let’s talk about the why.
As we mentioned, a sweep is sometimes one of the most overlooked services a homeowner takes. However, it is also one of the most critical if you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove. Why?
Over time, burning wood not only creates a pile of messy ash but also causes a combustion of oil that is off-gassed as volatiles in the smoke. As the smoke rises and cools, it condenses on the chimney flue’s interior surface. This black oily residue is called creosote.
Creosote deposits build up, reducing the airflow through the chimney. Not only does this affect the power of your fire, but it is also highly flammable. Thus, a thick accumulation of creosote decreases the functionality of your chimney. Furthermore, the accumulation also creates an extremely dangerous probability of a chimney fire occurring.
Coming back to the how.
At Seacoast Chimney, we begin our process with a thorough inspection of the chimney. This step allows our professionals to determine the extent of build-up requiring attention. From there, we start prepping the area to ensure your home remains in the condition in which it was found.
Using specialized, state-of-the-art equipment, we get to work. With attention to detail, our team removes all residues, ash, and other contaminants that have settled in the chimney. Once the removal is complete, we clean up and provide the property owner with a detailed report.
At Seacoast Chimney, our mission is to provide your home or multi-family commercial property with the highest levels of safety, and a chimney sweep is one of the most effective ways to achieve this. If it’s been over a year, it’s time to give our team a call to schedule your inspection!