Our Company Blog

Schedule Your Sweep Before the Rush!

Just as you’d leave for a trip before rush hour, or get holiday shopping finished before the week-of, you should plan ahead to have your chimney system cleaned.

Avoid the Fall Rush

At Chief Chimney Services we clean and service chimneys year-round. We’re just much busier from October through January, a time we call the “fall rush.” During this time you may not get the desired appointment time, you may have to schedule several days or weeks in advance, and you may be cold while you wait. We don’t want our customers to be cold or unsafe this winter, so we suggest scheduling your chimney sweep early. Avoid the wait, the hassle, and the cold. Schedule now, and you can be on the books this fall, or get it done this spring or summer.

Scheduling a Spring Chimney Sweep

Many homeowners decide to schedule a chimney sweep in the spring so that the system is ready for fall, and there is plenty of time for necessary repairs before the first fire of the season. Scheduling in the spring will also ensure your chimney is waterproof, animal-proof, and won’t stink when summer humidity mingles with the soot and creosote-covered walls. They’ll be clean after a Chief Chimney Services professional completes this hassle-free chimney sweep.

Scheduling a Fall Chimney Sweep

Do not wait until the weather turns cool before scheduling your chimney sweep! You can schedule now for your service in the fall and avoid the fall rush. Scheduling now also means your chimney is not forgotten. When you neglect to schedule routine sweeps and annual inspections, your chimney and your home may suffer. In fact, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) agree that routine chimney maintenance means a safer and more efficient chimney system.

Put Your Trust in Chief Chimney Services

The technicians that make up our team at Chief Chimney Services will not disappoint. We treat your home with the utmost professionalism and clean your chimney system from top to bottom, paying attention to the smallest detail. When you schedule with us, you can also rest assured that your chimney will get a thorough once-over, and we won’t miss a thing. This is the best way to ensure that damage is detected before it becomes unsafe and before it affects the rest of your system and your house. After our technician presents you with a detailed report of the findings, we can help you work out a repair plan that will get your chimney back to work before cold weather strikes in the fall! When you work closely with your chimney sweep, you can work around the fall rush.

Get started today. Call Chief Chimney Services at 631-863-2460 or contact us online!

Keep Your Home or Business Safe by Scheduling Your Level II Inspection and Chimney Sweep

If you use a furnace or fireplace in your home or business, there is almost nothing more important than your regular chimney sweeps and annual inspections. If your appliance and chimney has not changed, and you plan to continue use in the same way you have, then a level I inspection should be appropriate. However, there are three levels of inspections offered by certified chimney sweeps, and it’s important to learn which one you need!

What is a Level II Inspection?

In a level II chimney inspection the chimney sweep will examine the readily accessible portions of your chimney exterior, interior, appliance, and chimney connection. The technician will evaluate basic soundness of the chimney structure, flue, appliance installation and connections, and verify the chimney is free of obstruction or debris. All of these elements of the inspection exist for a level I inspection. However, a level II inspection also includes all accessible portions or the chimney interior and exterior, including attics, crawlspaces, and basements. During this inspection the technician will also address any clearance issues with area combustibles.

A level II inspection also includes a visual inspection of the interior flue lining, surfaces, and joints, whether by video device or other method.

What a Level II ISN’T

A level II chimney inspection requires no heavy machinery. If you schedule a level II inspection and the chimney sweep wants to add or remove any permanent pieces or structure to your appliance or venting system, that is work for a level III inspection.

If your certified chimney sweep notes hazardous structural issues or other dangerous problems, a level III inspection may be required.

When To Schedule a Level II

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends a level II inspection for a few reasons, and as of 2000 the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires a level II inspection for the following reasons (as per NFPA 211):

• The property is sold or transferred
• Fuel type is changed
• The chimney flue is relined
• An appliance is replaced or added
• A part or parts of the heating system has malfunctioned
• The chimney or flue has experienced a fire
• The home or business has endured an earthquake or equally catastrophic occurrence
• BTU rating has changed

While it’s important to schedule a level II inspection for these reasons, you may also need a level II inspection if the chimney sweep finds something concerning in your level I inspection.

Learn more about chimney inspections with this informational article and tutorial.

Call a Professional Today

Only a certified chimney sweep should perform level I, II, and III chimney inspections. Even insurance companies trust the sweeps to make such an assessment, and often rely on a level II inspection to determine where a chimney or flue fire originated.

Our technicians at Chief Chimney Services are licensed, certified, and insured. Our Master Sweep has 30+ years experience for all of your appliance and venting system needs. When Chief Chimney performs an inspection we use a CCTV video camera to thoroughly examine your venting system. We also provide a detailed report of our findings for your knowledge and your records.

To schedule your appointment, call or schedule online today. A technician is standing by.