Chimney Care Company's Blog
Why We Emphasize Training at the Chimney Care Co.
What do you look for when you’re searching for a new doctor? A dentist? A mechanic? What about a contractor? Trained and knowledgeable professionals of their field are the most desireably candidates. You want to be sure that they have the expertise to deal with your basic needs, as well as any complications that may arise. It should be no different when you search for a chimney sweep. At the Chimney Care Co., we emphasize training so you know your chimney is in good hands.
What Should Your Chimney Sweep Know?
Chimney sweeps have the potential to do real harm when they don’t know what they’re doing. At the most basic level, an inexperienced chimney sweep might not fully clear your chimney from creosote or debris that could cause a chimney fire or carbon monoxide backup. Even worse, they could damage your chimney liner or hearth appliance. An inexperienced or untrained sweep might miss damage or a defect in your hearth system that could put your chimney, or your home, at risk.
First and foremost, your chimney sweep should know how to properly clean your chimney and fireplace or heating stove. He or she also should know how to identify damage or malfunctions. If your chimney sweep is cleaning and inspecting the chimney in a new home, he or she should be trained in code and proper clearance so he or she can verify that your heating appliance are properly installed and safe for use. Finally, if your chimney sweep is servicing your hearth appliance or repairing your chimney, he or she should be trained in maintaining and servicing heating appliances, and in the proper installation and repair of chimneys, fireplaces and heating stoves.
How do you Know if Your Chimney Sweep is Trained?
Chimney sweeps, unlike other professions, don’t require licensing to let people know that they’ve been properly trained in their field. That’s why it’s so important that when you look for a chimney sweep, you look for a chimney sweep that’s certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). To become CSIA certified, chimney sweeps must train and take an exam that demonstrates that they know best practices for cleaning, inspecting, repairing and building chimneys, as well as for installing and servicing hearth appliances. Sweeps also must demonstrate that they understand building codes and clearances pertaining to chimneys and hearth appliances. In addition, chimney sweeps must regularly retake the exam or prove that they’ve undergone additional training to maintain CSIA certification.
At the Chimney Care Co., we take our job seriously. We’re properly clean and service your chimneys and hearth appliances to keep your home safe from fire, water damage or carbon monoxide leakage. We emphasize training so we know our technicians are providing you with the best chimney care. Call to schedule your Chimney Care Co. appointment today!
Does Your Gas Fireplace Need Service?
As you flip the switch to ignite your gas fireplace this fall, you might be wondering: Does your gas fireplace need to be serviced? Homeowners overwhelmingly favor gas fireplaces, and it’s no wonder why. They provide a warm, glowing fire with ease and convenience. While your gas fireplace may not require the upkeep and care of its wood-burning counterpart, your gas fireplace does need service each year, too.
Why Your Gas Fireplace Needs Service
If it doesn’t produce ash, heavy smoke and creosote like a wood fire, why does a gas fireplace need service? There are two primary reasons; cleanliness and complexity.
Prized for their cleanliness, gas fireplaces still require maintenance. The fireplace itself can gather dust that can interfere with blowers or the pilot light. The ceramic logs inside will break down over time and create their own debris that can clog the working components of the fireplace. The chimney won’t fill up with dangerous creosote, but it will collect soot over time. Soot is corrosive and leads to the breakdown of the chimney pipe if it isn’t cleared away. And, of course, regular cleaning will keep your gas fireplace looking great for years to come!
There are a lot of components of a gas fireplace — from pilot lights to blowers to gaskets — that can break down or malfunction over time. If your gas fireplace isn’t in perfect operating condition, it might not light when you want it to, drive your energy bills up by not working efficiently or even put your family in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. That’s why your gas fireplace needs an annual inspection to ensure it is in good working order.
What Your Gas Fireplace Service Should Entail
So now that you know y0ur gas fireplace requires annual servicing, what should that service entail? First and foremost, your annual gas fireplace maintenance should be performed by a certified fireplace professional. The service itself includes a thorough cleaning of the chimney, blowers, gas logs and glass doors. There is also a full-system inspection to verify that the chimney is properly venting, damage free and unobstructed. We also check that the valves, gaskets, pilot, and blowers are properly functioning. Finally, we ensure that there are no signs of damage, condensation, improper ventilation or deterioration that could compromise the safe operation of the fireplace or chimney. If any problems are spotted, they should be addressed as soon as possible and before the fireplace is used again.
Now that you know your gas fireplace does require annual servicing, don’t wait to schedule an appointment! A certified professional should examine your gas fireplace before you use it this winter. To make sure your gas fireplace is ready to keep your family warm and cozy all winter long, call the Chimney Care Co. to schedule your gas fireplace service today!