They say timing is everything, and that’s so true. What about having your chimney swept: what’s the best timing for that? Northeastern Masonry & Chimney doesn’t have a magic answer along the lines of “only on April 1,” or “every last Tuesday in October.” It doesn’t quite work that way — although there is some wisdom in that approach. Having your chimney swept is not only a matter of simple frequency but also a factor of chimney use, chimney age, and overall care and maintenance.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that your chimney be inspected and swept annually, so whatever trick works can be useful as a reminder.
Our experience with customers backs up the need for an annual sweeping at a minimum. Sometimes “annually” is not enough. We’ve found that under “normal burning conditions,” it may take about one cord of wood burned in a fireplace to produce enough creosote buildup to warrant a chimney cleaning. However, under certain burning conditions, you may need a professional chimney cleaning sooner. Each situation differs.
Ask Northeastern Masonry & Chimney about your particular circumstances.
Let’s go back for a second to that CSIA recommendation. It’s intended to detect problems before they get worse; it’s intended to prevent dangerous occurrences such as chimney fires.
What we’re saying is that an annual inspection is a good standard practice and recommendation, but if you suspect a problem don’t hesitate to have an inspection and a possible cleaning more frequently than annually.
Our CSIA-certified technicians will sweep and clean your chimney properly. We minimize damage and properly dispose of waste materials. We remove soot and creosote from the smoke shelf and firebox as it becomes dislodged during cleaning. We use proven methods to assure that no soot or creosote escapes into your home. Our technicians employ drop cloths, rug runners, high-speed vacuums, shoe covers and tarps over the fireplace to give you a mess-free cleaning.
Your yearly chimney sweeping presents challenges — and risks. It’s a task that is critical for preserving the life of your chimney and for maintaining a safe and efficient fireplace and chimney. Rely on professionally trained, CSIA-certified Northeastern Masonry & Chimney technicians for this valuable service. We know how to do it, and do it right, whether it’s annual or more or less frequently.
We take our CSIA certification seriously, and we are proud of it because it demonstrates compliance with strict industry standards.
Let our 35 years of experience deliver value to you in the Capital District, Central or Northern New York, the Hudson Valley or western Massachusetts.
Call Northeastern Masonry & Chimney today at 518-767-9315, or schedule an appointment online. For a professional chimney sweeping, go with real pros with nationally recognized CSIA credentials. Let us do the dirty work so you can relax and feel comfortable in the safety of your home.