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A chimney sweep in St. Louis clears blockages, soot, and creosote that have accumulated in the firebox, smoke chamber, damper, and the chimney liner. The cleaning ensures your chimney functions well. A chimney fire can easily be started by a small build-up of creosote. Highly flammable, creosote is a substance that accumulates on the inner side of the chimney due to the burning of wood.

Practicing poor burning methods or using a poor functioning burning appliance can increase the rate of creosote build-up. The amount of creosote produced depends on the type of wood used. Use of pine leads to a fast accumulation of creosote and so its regular use should be avoided. Creosote can as well minimize the efficiency of the fireplace and its draw.

How often should chimneys be inspected?

You should make sure your chimney is inspected annually to ensure that it’s functioning well. If you regularly use your fireplace, you can have a chimney cleaning annually. To ensure a safer operation, other venting systems that are linked to stoves and furnaces should also be cleaned regularly.

As much as fireplaces and other heating appliances are needed in your home, your family’s safety should be prioritized. Avoid defects that could lead to costly repairs and even fires by ensuring your chimney is well maintained.

The importance of a chimney inspection

An inspection should be done if your chimney has not been inspected in a year, if your fireplace, chimney or heating system is not functioning properly or if you recently moved to a new home.

Your venting systems should also be inspected if you have changed or upgraded your stove and heating system. This ensures your venting systems are enough and functioning properly to handle the newly made changes.

Pests may have made nests that could lead to clogging of your chimney chamber or flue if your fireplace has been idle for a long period. Moisture and winter freeze cycles could damage liner materials and masonry.

The functioning of your system could be affected by the normal wear and tear that has not been inspected. Defects that go for long without inspection will result in costly repairs, so it is wise and safe to ensure your chimney gets a good inspection.

When should your chimney be cleaned?

You should get your chimney cleaned or inspected before the burning season starts, during summer or early fall. You should call the chimney sweep before you start making a fire or your furnace due weather change.

Chimney Sweeping

A person who clears soot and ash from chimneys is known as a chimney sweep. To ensure that your fireplace functions properly, always make sure your chimney is clean and well maintained especially during the fall.

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, structure fires are mainly caused by chimneys that are not cleaned. The association therefore, recommends that chimneys should have an annual inspection.

How a chimney sweep in St. Louis is conducted

Hiring a professional chimney sweep is recommended since a thorough cleaning and inspection is needed. You could, however, use a flexible long-handled chimney brush to clean your own chimney.

An intensive fireplace and chimney inspection involves checking the chimney exterior, the smoke chamber, the liners, and the firebox. A video inspection is used to detect water damage –  though it comes at an extra cost.

If you burn a lot of wood (40 hours and more) during the winter, you should absolutely make sure your chimney gets an annual sweep.

How chimney sweeps reduce the risk of fire

Creosote (a highly corrosive and combustible pollutant produced when wood fails to totally burn), is the primary cause of chimney flare ups.

A professional chimney sweep will make sure that your chimney is creosote free and also clear of other obstructions that are flammable or keep smoke and other gasses from going outside. The use of dry wood ensures the amount of creosote produced is low.

St. Louis chimney sweeping can be messy work

A professional St. Louis chimney sweep will ensure that they have all of the right equipment to prevent soot and dust from escaping. The fireplace is sealed off and a powerful vacuum can be set up to suck fine particles. Collection baskets are then placed at the base to collect all the falling deposits from the chimney.

30-60 minutes is the time taken to sweep a chimney. However, a longer time may be spent if huge deposits have accumulated over a long period.

How to identify a qualified chimney sweep

You should always make sure that you hire a qualified chimney sweep. Always ask for documented proof if a chimney sweep claims that your chimney is excessively damaged.