Being a homeowner comes with many benefits and responsibilities. Having a fireplace or wood stove adds to the experience… and to the responsibility. Part of that responsibility includes regular chimney inspections and maintenance with Black Goose Chimney Service. Getting regular inspections will go a long way for chimney safety.
While we are very tidy when we do inspections sometimes, this process isn’t always the tidiest, so we thought we’d help you prepare for our visit with some pointers on preparing your home for a Chimney sweep.
How to Prepare Your Home for a Chimney Inspection
Make Sure the Chimney is Cool
Before we can come to inspect and sweep out your chimney, you’ll need to make sure it’s cool. Ideally, the best thing to do is avoid using your fireplace or wood stove for 24-48 hours before your inspection appointment with us. The bricks should be cool to the touch, and that includes no embers, or hot coals in the fireplace. When the fireplace isn’t cool, performing the checks and inspection is very hard to do safely.
Keep the Mantle Clear of any Objects, Books, and Stuff
One thing to help prepare for a chimney inspection is to keep the fireplace mental clear. This is a big help to keep us from breaking your grandmother’s china in one piece and any valuable items safe.
To prepare for an appointment, we advise homeowners to clear things off the mantel. Remove any books, china or any items you have sitting on the mantel above your fireplace. Doing so prevents us from knocking over your great-grandmother’s china plate or any other decorations you hold valuable.
Clean Out Your Fireplace
While this may seem to be an obvious way to prepare for a chimney inspection, we thought we would mention it anyway. Cleaning out your fireplace and removing any ash, burned wood pieces and coals will make your inspection go smoothly and quickly. Please make sure you remove any remaining unburned logs, any tools and ash from the firebox as well.
Protect Your Furniture in the Room
While we are always clean and careful when doing inspections, occasionally some soot does escape us and land nearby. Covering the nearby furniture with towels and sheets will go a long way to protect your furniture and keep the room where your fireplace is super clean. Unlike your furniture, washing any sheets or towels is easier than getting furniture cleaned if any soot should land on them. We’ll put something down on the floor, but you should cover the room’s furniture to avoid it getting dirty.
Let us know of any issues you have had with your Fireplace
Before we begin our inspection and cleaning, make sure you notify us of any issues you have had with your fireplace or any concerns in your fireplace use. This can include anything from moisture stains on the ceiling, foul odors to improper smoke ventilation. Knowing any issues you have had ahead of time, tells us where to look. Your problem could require only a simple fix or the issue may be something more in-depth and require chimney repairs, but we need to know before going into the sweep and inspection.
Schedule Your Chimney Inspection Appointment Today
With the holidays right around the corner, you might be dreaming of cozy fires while entertaining family at your home in central and southwestern Virginia.
But, if you haven’t used your fireplace for months, you’ll want to make sure it’s safe to use and clean for the holiday season! So, give black Goose Chimney Service a call. We’ll inspect and sweep your chimney, so it’s ready to go. We can even replace covers and caps. So, schedule your appointment today at 540-598-9778.