New Year has everyone wanting to better themselves and their habits. New habits can mean better cleaning and routine maintenance on everyday things. Why not make cleaning your chimney a part of that? A routine chimney sweep can go a long way with the lifespan of your chimney. Below are some things to keep in mind when having to schedule your routine sweep.

Reasons for Fireplace Cleaning

Our professional chimney sweeps are trained with the knowledge to clean your chimney properly. With their background knowledge, there is no need for second-guessing the quality of work. You will rest assured knowing you’re receiving top-quality chimney maintenance and professional fireplace cleaning.

  • Hiring a reputed sweep will save you hours or even days of work (typically will only take 45 minutes to an hour for a cleaning)
  • The cleaning process will leave soot, dust, and ash everywhere. Our technicians are equipped with the proper vacuums. These are designed for quick and efficient cleaning of residue.
  • Sweeps are equipped with the latest professional-grade tools that ensure a thorough sweep of the chimney walls. The equipment is designed to effectively complete fireplace cleaning and remove creosote from the wall.
  • Cleaning a chimney will require the dangers of being on a roof. It is best to leave this to the professionals.
  • Trained sweeps are able to identify signs of damage to the fireplace, chimney, and other components of the heating and venting system. If diagnosed early, the damages can be repaired promptly and efficiently to avoid further deterioration.

Cleaning Tips

  • Only burn seasoned wood in order to reduce the amount of hazardous creosote buildup in the fireplace and chimney
  • Avoid using household cleaners when cleaning the fireplace due to the flammable residue they leave behind. Only use cleaners designed for strictly cleaning the fireplace.
  • Remove ashes routinely to allow plenty of air to get to the firewood on the grate. This will help the fire burn efficiently and consequently reduce heating costs.
  • Sprinkle used tea leaves or damp coffee ground over cooled ashes to reduce the amount of dust when removing the ashes.

Inspection Levels

It is important to have your chimney inspected by a professional. There are three levels of chimney inspections established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Level 1:

The most common of the three inspections and recommended if you have been using your fireplace regularly. This level is where the fireplace cleaning contractor examines accessible portions of the chimney using a flashlight and without any special tools.

Level 2:

This level is recommended if you are planning on making changes in the use of your chimney (change in the type of fuel used, relining the flue, or if there was an accident or damage). This level is required before selling your property. This type of inspection uses a video camera is used to examine the flue and check for cracks or damage to the joints in the structure.

Level 3:

This inspection is the most detailed. This level will also examine the concealed areas of the chimney by removing certain parts of the building or structure if deemed necessary.

Why wait til next winter to schedule your sweep? Call AllStar today to schedule your next sweep and rest knowing it has been taken care of for the beginning of the year. Your next one should be right before your first fire of the season.