Our Company Blog

Wood Stove and Fireplace Cleanings for the Spring

Spring is in the air! Trees are finally flowering, and birds are chirping. Depending on where you live, you might even hear whippoorwills in the evenings. Our service area of Suffolk County, Long Island may have slow-rising temperatures, but spring is welcome after a long winter! Spring is a great time to complete projects around your house. Projects such as yard maintenance, car washing, and home cleaning. Have you considered your stove or fireplace this spring? Having it cleaned in the spring can prevent problems this summer, and have it ready and waiting for another fire this fall.

Spring Cleaning

Periodically through the year, your fireplace and chimney system will need to be cleaned. Your chimney sweep company can help you determine how often your chimney and appliance will need service. However, having the work done in spring is always a great option, since it offers great benefits.

Cleaning Prevents Odors

If you leave the soot and creosote in your fireplace and flue system, the humidity from summer weather will mingle with the deposits there, causing foul odors. As this seeps into your home, it may smell as if the oven was left open or a barbecue grill was left smoldering right outside your door or window. Cleaning now will prevent odors.

Cleaning Includes an Inspection

Not only will we clean out your fireplace or wood-burning stove, but we’ll check the connections, assess the chimney system, and report any problems right away so that they can be corrected before burn season returns.

Cleaning Raises Efficiency

You may not need it to now, but this fall, your fire will burn more efficiently if you have the system swept now. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about scheduling services in the fall, when companies are at their busiest.

Cleaning Maintains Safety

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) agree that fire systems that are cleaned and maintained properly are the safest. Clean your system now so that your fireplace will be safer this fall.

Wood is a popular option, especially in New England, where winters can be quite harsh. Wood stoves and fireplaces produce great amounts of heat and more efficient than ever–but they only work if they are maintained. Cleaning them is so important that your factory warranty may require it! Talk to an expert at Chief Chimney Services about your wood-burning fireplace or appliance today. We service fireplaces and chimney systems that are factory-built, historic masonry, and more.

Schedule today with Chief Chimney Services by filling out our online scheduling tool.

Spring Into Action

Spring Into Action This Spring & Have Your Annual Chimney Inspection

The importance of having a yearly inspection and evaluation of your chimney cannot be stressed strongly enough. When your health and safety are at risk, it is important make sure you call a trained professional to evaluate and clean your chimney and its components on annual basis. Chief Chimney Services, Inc. has earned the prestigious credentials of certified chimney sweep from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) to perform a complete evaluation and inspection in order to keep your venting operating at peak capacity, controlling energy consumption and costs, and protect you from fire and toxic gas hazards.

Spring is the ideal time to have your inspections performed.

Our mothers and grandmothers used the end of winter to signal time for their spring cleaning. A thorough cleaning helped make the transition from the demands of winter to the demands of summer. Springtime is an excellent time to also have a professional inspection of your chimney performed.

The National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.”

During the winter, you use your chimney more than other times during the year. The residue from your fires builds up in your fireplace and chimney. Not only that, the masonry of your chimney is subjected to temperature changes as the weather freezes and thaws. These temperature changes can cause cracks, leaks, and lose bricks which allow water, smoke, and toxic gasses to seep back into your home. In addition, since your chimney is warm, birds and animals may decide to make your chimney home for the winter and then may die or get trapped inside and cause dangers.

3 Levels of Inspection as described by the Chimney Safety Institute of America*

Level 1 Inspections –During a Level 1 inspection, your chimney service technician examines the readily accessible portions of the chimney exterior, interior and accessible portions of the appliance and the chimney connection. The technician will also verify the chimney is free of obstruction and combustible deposits.

Level 2 Inspections –A Level 2 inspection is required when any changes are made to the system. Level 2 inspections are required when property is sold or transferred. Fires, seismic events, and weather events are reasons for a Level 2 inspection.

Level 3 Inspection – Includes all the areas and items checked in a Level 1 and a Level 2 inspection, as well as the removal of certain components of the building or chimney where necessary. When serious hazards are suspected, a Level 3 inspection may well be required to determine the condition of the chimney system.

* See more here.

The Department of Consumer Protection echoes the recommendations of property experts, fire departments, insurance companies, and chimney professionals in all 50 states, “Have your chimney inspected and cleaned, preferably in late spring or early summer when heating season is over. That way, you’ll have enough time to schedule any repairs you may need before the heating season begins in the fall.”