Chimney Sweep Covington
You’re here because you’ve found yourself with a chimney problem. Our technicians will come to your home and perform a tailored service just for you so your chimney problem can be a thing of the past.
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Allstar Chimney Sweep Covington
Every day, Allstar Chimney Sweep Covington dedicates itself to ensuring the safety of our community’s chimneys. Our seasoned master technicians, boasting a collective experience of a century, work diligently to optimize the appearance and performance of your chimney, all while guaranteeing its harmlessness to you and your residence. We are committed to delivering top-tier services to all our valued customers.
As you contemplate reigniting your fireplace, it’s crucial to note that the National Fire Protection Association recommends an annual fireplace inspection before you resume its use. This practice is essential to safeguard both your well-being and the integrity of your home. Contrary to common belief, significant changes can occur within a year in the condition of your fireplace and chimney.
Serving as the highest point of your dwelling, your chimney remains fully exposed to the elements, enduring wind, rain, tornadoes, and hurricanes without protection. Occasionally, it may develop vulnerabilities that allow debris or even unwelcome critters to infiltrate.
After enduring a year’s worth of weather conditions, your chimney typically requires maintenance. While this may not always be the case, it’s prudent to have a qualified chimney expert inspect it annually to ensure your safety and that of your home. Rusting, breakage, or missing components in your chimney pose serious risks to you and your residence.
These issues can lead to water damage not only to your chimney but also to other parts of your house. This damage can trigger mold growth, resulting in respiratory problems and property damage to your ceilings and walls. If left unaddressed, these issues could turn the next fire you light in your fireplace into a potential disaster, jeopardizing your home and livelihood.
You need not continue living with uncertainty regarding the state of your chimney. Allstar Chimney Sweep Covington takes pride in offering same-day service availability, allowing you to reclaim your peace of mind and ensure your safety promptly. Contact us today, and let us help you restore your confidence in your chimney and the security of your home.
The Benefits of A Lock-Top Damper
So what exactly is a damper?
A fireplace damper is normally located at least 8 inches above the firebox opening. The damper acts as a door separating the chimney and the inside of your home, allowing the smoke to exit when open. When the damper is closed, it prevents downdrafts from entering your home.
Are you aware of what kind of damper you have on your chimney? If not, it is worth it to find out because your leaky throat damper could be costing you hundreds of dollars a year in energy loss. Read more below to find out why and what you can do to prevent this.
The Problems with Traditional Throat Dampers
Traditional dampers were designed for times when energy was not nearly as expensive as today. These throat dampers cause several problems because they are made completely out of metal. Throat dampers are sealed by metal to metal closure, which allows hot and cold air to leak through. Due to this inefficient seal, your air conditioner may need to work harder and longer to get to the temperature you have set and that can run up your utility bill. Allowing air into your chimney also interferes with the temperature of your flue liner which makes starting a fire difficult because of the cold air rushing down the liner. The air can then push smoke and ash into your home, and no one wants that! Traditional dampers also add no protection from outside debris entering the throat of your chimney. Any blockages or clogs can cause smoke and dangerous gases to enter your home.
The Advantages of A Lock-Top Damper
Lock-Top dampers use a silicone rubber gasket for a perfect seal that allows no air to seep through. These dampers block rain from entering your chimney as well, so you do not have to worry about any corrosion is your flue liners or chimney throat. Adding this damper greatly extends the life of your chimney and increases its effectiveness. By being placed on the top of your chimney, these dampers also add protection against debris and any pesky critters that try to burrow in your warm and homey chimney. Not only do Lock-Top dampers save you money on your utility bill, but they also prevent future damages that can come from only having a traditional throat damper installed. So, say yes to saving energy and money by calling your top-rated local chimney sweep company to come to inspect your chimney and install one of the best energy-saving fireplace dampers the market as to offer!
Common Animals To Invade Chimneys
Hazards/Problems with Animals Being in a Chimney
Taking shelter in the chimney can be ideal for some critters while others are trapped. Animals tend to cause issues for homeowners such as being noisy and messy by leaving behind droppings and scraps of food. They can clog your chimney with chosen nesting materials, preventing smoke from escaping and causing a fire. Blockages can raise the risks of carbon monoxide buildup inside the home. There is a higher risk of the animal finding its way into your home. Animals do not bathe like humans causing an odor and their droppings are just as bad. The smell can become worse if the animal becomes trapped and dies inside. Animals carry diseases on their fur and in their droppings. These contaminated droppings can sicken a family. These animals are most active at night which can be a nuisance for homeowners.
Removing Animals
Animals of any kind are to be removed by a professional. There are many threats these animals can cause to someone who does not know what they are doing. These creatures can be easily scared in places where they will become stuck and die. If there is an animal carcass, it is best to have it removed professionally as there are potential health hazards.
Birds
- For warmth and protection, birds will build their nests inside chimneys. The Chimney swift, a smaller species, tend to build their nests on the flue lines while larger species will build their nests on the damper or smoke shelf. With the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it is against the law to remove nesting birds. You will have to wait for the brood, or young birds, to leave. If there are reasons you cannot wait for the broods to leave then it is best to seek out local wildlife officers/services. This must be done before a professional can clean your chimney and install a heavy-duty stainless steel chimney cap.
Raccoons
- Nocturnal and known for their aggressive attitudes, raccoons are hard to remove from chimneys. One bite can cause rabies, and possibly roundworms. These critters, in particular, need to be removed by a professional only. Black steel and aluminum are no match for these critters as they are able to breakthrough. The best solution to keep them locked out is to install a heavy-duty stainless steel chimney cover.
Prevention
Bats
- Excellent for warmth and shelter, bats will look hard for places like a chimney. Another animal that carries rabies, it is best to have removed by a professional. Though it is hard to keep them out due they are able to fit through bird screens or open mortar joints in the brickwork. The installation of a damper and chimney cap can help prevent bats from getting into the home.
Squirrels
- Squirrels are notorious for building their nests in chimneys and tend to make them extremely tight. These normally will block the ventilation of the chimney flue causing a chimney fire. Squirrels are known for climbing through the dampers entering the home. The best way to prevent their entry is to have a professional install a heavy stainless steel chimney cover.
Hearing noises of wildlife coming from inside your chimney? There could be endless types of animals to have invaded your chimney. Never light a fire in your chimney unless you have had your annual chimney sweep.
An annual chimney sweep could save your home from creatures entering the home, even more the horrific smell from lighting a fire without removing them or their waste prior. Call your local chimney service today to learn more about why it is important to have an annual sweep, if not twice a year for precaution.