What Does a Chimney Sweep Professional Do?
The primary job of a chimney service professional is to aid in the prevention of fires related to fireplaces, wood stoves, gas, and pellet heating systems and the chimneys that serve them. Chimney sweeps install, clean and maintain these systems, evaluate their performance, prescribe changes to improve their performance, and educate the consumer about their safe and efficient operation.
At The Stove & Spa Store we take this responsibility to heart and ensure that all of our Technicians are properly trained to perform these essential tasks. In doing their primary job of inspecting and sweeping chimneys, chimney professionals also function as on-the-job fire prevention specialists. They are constantly on the lookout for unsafe conditions that can cause home fires or threaten residents with dangerous or unhealthy indoor air quality.
The Benefits of Chimney Sweeping
There are 3 basic reasons why you should get your chimney swept:
1. To protect your health
Breathing in the fumes from gas or solid fuel fires can cause serious damage to your health and in the worse cases prove fatal. Having your chimney swept will make sure that the flue is sufficiently clear to allow the fumes to escape safely out of the chimney.
2. To avoid a chimney fire
Having your chimney swept regularly will drastically reduce the chances of having a chimney fire. Chimney fires can cause property damage - the least usually being a cracked or broken chimney pot, which will need to be replaced and the worst being you could lose your home! Fortunately, the more extreme outcome does not happen very often, but it does happen.
3. To avoid smoke damage
Each time the fire is used, soot will accumulate up the chimney. Gradually, this will decrease the size of the flue which, in turn, will lower the draw of the smoke upwards. If the chimney does not have enough pull, the smoke will enter into your room, not only causing irritation to you, but can also blacken your fireplace or the decorating above.
How to Choose a Chimney Sweep
The chimney service trade is not regulated, nor is chimney sweeps licensed in most states. Further, opening a chimney service business requires a relatively small capital investment. Thus, virtually anyone - without education, training, experience or even a working knowledge of proper tools or equipment can become a chimney sweep. As a result, many ill-equipped, ill-prepared individuals are free to offer their "services" to homeowners.