A professional chimney cleaning protects your home and ensures your chimney’s health so you can safely enjoy fires all season long.
Winter is here, and the holidays are right around the corner. There is nothing better than snuggling up by the fire and enjoying the holiday season with your family. But, as time passes, your chimney needs to be cleaned and inspected. This is where chimney sweeps come in. A professional chimney cleaning protects your home and ensures your chimney’s health so you can safely enjoy fires all season long. Here are some tips to help prepare you for your next chimney sweep appointment.
Make Sure the Fireplace is Cool
Chimney sweeps require a fireplace that is cool to the touch for inspection. A hot fireplace is dangerous for the chimney sweep. If your fireplace is not cool, you risk receiving an incomplete cleaning or delaying your inspection and wasting your time. You should avoid using the fireplace for 24 to 48 hours before your appointment to allow enough time for the interior masonry to cool down. It will also help to remove any leftover ashes from the fireplace to keep the area clean.
Clear off the Mantle
To prepare for a chimney inspection, you will also want to remove any decorations or items from the top of the mantle, as your chimney sweep might accidentally knock them over during the inspection and cleaning. If there are any logs or ash in the firebox, you can remove these once you have let them completely cool down. Remember to only directly touch the fireplace if you have given it enough time to cool completely.
Protect Nearby Furniture
Your chimney sweep will try to be as careful and clean as possible, but there is still a possibility that ash or debris may come out of the chimney. If you have furniture or decorations on the floor, you may want to consider moving these items to another room or safe area. If the furniture is very large or immovable, consider using a protective sheet or plastic covering to protect valuable pieces. Professional chimney sweeps will take every possible step to prevent soot, ash, or debris from entering your home. Even though they do their best, a small amount might still escape from the firebox during the process. Before your chimney sweep appointment, remove or cover any furniture that’s near the fireplace. It is also essential to consider any floor rugs you don’t want to ruin.
Call the Experts at Champion Chimneys for Chimney Cleaning Today!
Champion Chimneys, Inc. is a fully licensed, bonded, and insured chimney service company that has served customers in Baltimore County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County, Maryland since 2001. Our team is trained and certified by Certified Chimney Professionals, Inc. (CCP, Inc.). Courteous service is our trademark, and our crews arrive on time in uniform, driving fully equipped trucks. We specialize in all aspects of your chimney system. Whether you need chimney and flue cleaning service or a full chimney rebuild or inspection, contact us at 443-Chimney today and let us fix all your chimney problems. Also, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.