What to Expect When Having Your Chimney Swept

Did you know that your chimney requires maintenance even if you don’t use your fireplace? Experts suggest having your chimney swept at least once or twice a year. However, most homeowners only consider chimney maintenance in preparation for the cooler months. If any issues are detected, it could then be too late to fix them, or it could be costly to repair any chimney issues. This guide provides a detailed insight into what happens during a chimney sweep and when you need to have it done for the best results.

What is Chimney Sweeping?

Chimney sweeping cleans the inside of a chimney and flue, especially in a wood-burning fireplace. Dust, debris, and other foreign substances can clog a chimney, and these can build up over time. Removing the creosote, a thick and hard coating made of toxic substances due to burning wood or fossils, is absolutely essential. 

Therefore, chimney sweeping is necessary to eliminate the build up that can become a fire hazard, especially when lighting a fire. 

When to Do Chimney Sweeping

There are no hard and fast rules regarding the frequency of chimney sweeping because it depends on the type of fireplace and frequency of use. The Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fire Protection Association have varying recommendations on this, so consider the factors that would help determine if your chimney needs sweeping.

According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, you must do chimney sweeping if you have an open masonry fireplace with 1/8" of soot buildup. An annual chimney sweep won't suffice to keep your chimney in good working order. This amount of soot buildup is enough to cause a fire hazard when lighting a fire in the fireplace. Therefore, chimney sweeping is vital to protecting your home from fires. 

On the other hand, the National Fire Protection Association ensures that an annual chimney sweep is enough as long as fireplaces and vents are regularly inspected. An annual sweep will do the job if no significant deposits or obstructions exist.

If you are concerned about the amount of toxic buildup in your chimney, always have a professional check it as part of the regular maintenance and inspection.

Preparation for a Chimney Sweep

You must prepare a few things before the chimney sweep team comes in to do their job. If there is any furniture or home furnishings that you want to protect from the soot and ash, move them away from the area near the fireplace or cover them with plastic. 

Avoid lighting the fireplace at least 24 hours before the scheduled chimney sweep. The professional chimney sweeper won’t be able to work on a hot chimney, so leaving it unused for 24 hours ensures that it is cool enough for them. 

What to Expect During the Sweeping Process

Upon confirming the appointment with the company performing the chimney sweep, they will come to your home for a general survey and inspection of the site. Once they have completed the survey, they will lay a cloth or plastic material over the area near the fireplace to protect the furnishings and flooring. 

The team will use a heavy-duty metal bristle brush to chip away at the debris stuck on the fireplace. Professionals come in full gear, such as gloves and masks, to protect them from the toxic debris and build up when cleaning. 

The sweep starts at the flue and will work upward to the chimney access. Some companies work in reverse, such as starting from the roof and working their way down. Either method works for this purpose, but both methods will indeed create a mess. 

Aside from the creosote buildup, the professional chimney sweepers will also look out for animals that have built homes in the chimney. Animals can build nests in the chimney, and there might even be dead animals you are unaware of unless you inspect the chimney closely. 

Will Chimney Sweeping Cause a Mess?

Yes, chimney sweeping is likely to be a messy job. You should hire a professional to ensure they do the job correctly. 

Before a chimney sweep, the entire area near the fireplace will be secured and covered to protect it from dust, ash, and soot. It is best to move the furniture away from the area if possible. It would help if you also protected the floor with a covering, such as cloth. Depending on which company you hire to perform the chimney sweep, some will provide rugs and other protective coverings for the floor to avoid damage. They will also use a vacuum to control the amount of soot and ash that spreads within your home during the sweeping process.

Most chimney sweeps are done from the roof or below the fireplace. In both scenarios, you should implement measures to control the amount of dirt and debris that goes into your home and furnishings. 

Chimney Report

Upon completing the chimney sweep, the professional team will provide homeowners with a detailed report. It details the condition of the fireplace and chimney, giving homeowners insight into how much care and maintenance is required in the future. The report will also provide homeowners with tips on preventing future fireplace hazards. 

Use the report to determine how often to do chimney sweeping and maintenance in the future, depending on the health of the chimney.

Hiring a Team for Chimney Sweeping

Finding a reliable and professional team to sweep the chimney is half the battle. Choose chimney professionals with certification and credentials from the National Fireplace Institute and the Chimney Safety Institute of America. Certified chimney companies ensure they have the expertise and knowledge to clean your chimney safely and adequately. 

Also, choose chimney sweep companies with insurance to protect your home from damage during the sweeping process for added peace of mind.