Importance of Hiring The Right Chimney Sweep
If you’ve ever cleaned a chimney yourself, you know that it can be a dirty and sometimes difficult job. There are many benefits to hiring a chimney sweep but specifically the right chimney sweep.
Why Hire a Chimney Sweep in the First Place
Can you clean a chimney yourself? Of course, there are undoubtedly things you can do for yourself such as cleaning out your firebox and grate, but a professional chimney sweep will do more than sweep out your firebox.
A professional chimney sweep may use special cameras to analyze the inside of your flue, they will remove debris such as animal nests, tree limbs or leaves, and scrape the walls of the flue with special tools to remove creosote buildup, this is the black sticky substance that attaches itself to the walls of your chimney. They will also take notice of any damages to chimney equipment or structures.
How do you know if you have the right chimney sweep?
There are many companies promising to provide you with chimney services, so how can you tell which one to choose? Here are a few things to look for to find the right chimney sweep.
- Experience – You wouldn’t trust something important to just anyone! You want to know that the person who is working on your chimney has the experience necessary to do the job. Check out their website and be sure that they are an established company.
- Licensed and Insured – Many states require that companies that work to hook up gas appliances have a license to do so. Certifications often require tests so that you can at least be sure your chimney sweep has the basic knowledge required to carry out the task and is familiar with the fire codes. Checking to make sure your company has the appropriate licenses and certifications could save you from disaster. As for insurance, you want to make sure that whoever is working on your chimney is covered should there be an accident and that they would be able to cover any damage to your property as well.
- References – Whether it’s Google or yelp, check to see what others in your area are saying about the company. Do they have a good reputation? Ask friends and neighbors who they use.
Customer Service – it’s always best to call and talk to a person first, pay attention to the way they answer your questions. Are you just a number to them? Are they impatient and reluctant to give you straight answers? If so, keep looking!
A lot of this may seem to be obvious but it’s amazing how many people neglect to do their own due diligence and end up in a bad situation.
If you know your chimney needs service, look no further than Burlington Fireplace. We check all the boxes and would be happy to give you a free estimate.
Give us a call or contact us online to schedule an appointment or for any questions or concerns you may have about your chimney.