4 Things You Can Do to Prepare for a Chimney Sweep
A fireplace is a place where happy memories are made and you stay warm through the winter. Fireplaces also need to stay clean and be inspected yearly to be kept in good working order. Our chimney sweeps will inspect and clean your chimney so you can continue to enjoy your fireplace through the cool season and winter.
When our team comes to sweep your chimney we come prepared to sweep your chimney as quickly (and while keeping everything as clean as possible) and thoroughly as possible. Our sweeping process is based on our chimney inspection process so, it will be unique to the needs of your chimney.
There are a number of things you can do to prepare for our team to come and sweep your chimney.
Make Sure the Chimney and Fireplace is Cool
Your chimney will need to be cool. While this may seem obvious, you would be surprised how often this get overlooked.
The best thing to do is avoid using your fireplace or wood stove for 24-48 hours before your appointment for chimney sweeping with us.
The bricks should also be cool to the touch, and you shouldn’t have any glowing or warm embers in the fireplace. Please make sure you remove any remaining logs and ash from the firebox as well.
If the fireplace isn’t cool, our chimney sweeps cannot perform their necessary checks and cleaning routines.
Clear the Mantle and Area Near the Fireplace
Clearing the mantel and the area around the mantel will make sure your belongings are kept safe.
To prepare for an appointment, we advise homeowners to clear things off the mantel. Doing so prevents us from knocking over your pictures, any china, keepsakes or any other valuable decorations on the mantel or in the nearby area.
Cover and Protect the Nearby Furniture
While we are always clean and careful, some soot does escape us during the chimney sweeping process and lands on nearby furniture.
That’s why we tell clients to cover the upholstery with a sheet or towels.
Unlike your furniture and cushions, you can wash these sheets or towels if they get dirty with soot. We do bring protective coverings for the floor but, you should put something down on the floor, but you should cover the room’s furniture to avoid it getting dirty.
Notify Us of Any Issues You know About Your Fireplace
While our inspection process will show any issues which may not be easily seen, we want to hear about any issues you are aware of regarding your fireplace, wood stove and chimney. So, before we begin let us know about any concerns you have before we get started.
Issues around a fireplace and chimney can be anything from discoloration in the bricks and mortar in the fireplace, a flu not working properly, to foul odors and improper smoke ventilation. When we are aware of the issues, we know where to look and can address any issues you may have. Your problem could be a simple fix or something more in-depth, but we need to know before going into the sweep and inspection.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Even though it is still winter, the winter is the best time to call and schedule your yearly chimney inspection. Even if you haven’t used your chimney this season, it’s the best time to call and schedule an inspection.
So, give Black Goose Chimney Service a call. We’ll inspect and sweep your chimney, so it’s ready to go. We can even provide repairs, install crowns, and replace covers and caps. So, schedule your appointment today at 540-586-9778