What To Expect When Having Your Chimney Swept

Chimney sweeping is still a necessary service. The days of soot-covered boys canvassing the neighbourhood are gone; now, chimney sweeps are certified technicians. They are equipped and trained to clean the inside of the chimneys and flues of wood-burning fireplaces and stoves. When you make an appointment with one, here’s what you should expect!

The Chimney Sweeping Process

To get rid of all the build-up in your chimney, you must call a specialized cleaning service. Make an appointment for a day that works for you; you should receive a call confirming your appointment in advance. When they arrive, the cleaner will survey and prepare the area for professional cleaning and sweeping. They will lay a drop cloth or plastic down where they will be cleaning to protect your flooring, furniture, and other parts of your home.

To make sure we get all the build-up off, we use a rotary power method rather than a push brush. It’s a tool that allows us to blast into every nook and cranny of your chimney to get all the soot and creosote build-up. We also offer chemical treatments that can break up any stubborn, hard tar-like deposits. 

When we’ve finished the job, it should look as if we were never there. Professional cleaners know how to clean up their mess and the one in your chimney, and we always bring the necessary tools to keep the whole task neat and tidy.

 

Why Is Chimney Cleaning So Important?

When the chimney isn’t hot enough and the smoke cools down, it sticks to and builds up inside. Creosote is one type of this residue, forming when smoke, water, and chemicals in the wood cools and condenses on their way out. This build-up is hard to remove, but it’s necessary to take care of it: creosote can catch fire when you light wood and reintroduce heat to the chimney.

While we don’t recommend cleaning the chimney – you might find it impossible anyway – you can check for build-up. First, ensure that there’s no downdraft coming from the chimney; if you feel an airflow, open a door or window on the fireplace’s floor until this downdraft stops, or it reverses and the air flows up and out. Put on some goggles and a dust mask, then take a powerful flashlight and your fireplace poker. Use the poker to cratch a groove into the black surface above the smoke chamber (called the damper); if the scratch is 1/8″ or more, schedule a fireplace cleaning before you use the chimney!

 

How Often Should I Have My Chimney Swept?

Chimney cleaning is not an invasive procedure, so you shouldn’t put it off. Have your chimney and flue cleaned once a year so that you keep your wood-burning stove, insert or fireplace working safely and efficiently. Depending on your usage, you may want to have a chimney sweep come through if you notice 1/8” of soot build-up or a glaze present in the chimney system.

Safe Home Fireplace is the only chimney cleaning professional in London with Advanced Chimney Sweeping status from the Wood Energy Technical Training organization. We’ll help you find the perfect time so you can cross this task off your list – you can even set up a reminder for us to perform a cleaning every year!