Chimney Care Company's Blog
Did You Know We Serve Northern Kentucky?
When you live and work in a community, you need to know what places to go for different situations. For example, if you need to get your car fixed, you should research the different shops that work best with your schedule and get the job done right. If you are looking to get a new carpet, you find a great flooring store and check out the deals and the service, then ask for advice before picking the right flooring treatment. And if you’re looking for a chimney company, check out the credentials, certifications, and memberships and then give them a call. If you live in the greater Cincinnati area, you know that the place to call is Chimney Care Co. But what you may not know is that Ohio isn’t the only area that we service. We take care of people’s chimneys and fireplaces in northern Kentucky as well!
What to Look For
The professionals at Chimney Care Co. are Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified, and members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild and National Fire Protection Association. This gives us access to the top training techniques in the industry. Beyond initial training, it also offers educational opportunities throughout the years, and access to knowledge of any new procedures or regulations that come up. This is invaluable because it ensures that you will have the best service and the best work in the region.
Another thing to look for in a chimney sweep business is variety in the services they provide. At Chimney Care Co. we can take care of your chimney cleaning needs, as well as inspecting your chimney, looking for any repair work or areas of leaking that need to be evaluated and repaired. We’ll clear out your creosote while also making sure that there are no blockages. But beyond taking care of your chimney and fireplace needs, we can also take care of clearing out your dryer vents.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
Many people don’t understand how important it is to have their dryer vents cleaned. Even if you clean out your dryer’s lint screen after every load of clothes, there will also be some lint that gets through and starts to build up in the dryer vents, and that can cause less efficient clothes drying at best, and a dryer and home fire at the very worst. But when you call Chimney Care Co. you can be sure that your dryer vents will be clean and clear.
In Northern Kentucky, Call Chimney Care Co.
If you live in or around Cincinnati, Ohio, calling Chimney Care Co. makes sense. But our expertise isn’t limited to just Ohio! It’s only fair to the great people of northern Kentucky that they are offered the best chimney inspections and cleanings available, and that’s why not only are we proud to serve southern Ohio, we let the good people of northern Kentucky have the best service available as well! Give us a call soon to set up your chimney inspection and cleaning.
The Dangers of Creosote & Reasons to Invest in a Certified Chimney Sweep
Every fall, fire safety, home improvement, and chimney experts caution homeowners about the importance of having their chimneys swept and inspected. If you have a wood-burning appliance, creosote is the primary concern with your chimney. Here’s why.
The dangers of creosote
Every time wood burns in a fireplace, creosote has the potential to form in the chimney. As the smoke from your wood fire travels up the chimney it cools, and forms condensation on the chimney walls. That condensation hardens into creosote. If the creosote isn’t swept away, it continues to accumulate on the walls of the chimney, and that’s when problems can occur. Creosote is highly flammable. When it builds to a thickness of 1/8 inch or more, it can easily catch fire. An errant spark or burning ember that enters the chimney from your fireplace can cause the creosote to ignite. When ignited by a spark, creosote can damage your chimney or even pose a risk to your home.
A fire risk isn’t the only danger creosote buildup can cause. Creosote can build up and block your chimney, restricting the flow of smoke up and out of the chimney and allowing the smoke and carbon monoxide from your fireplace to be forced back into your home. Creosote that flakes off of your chimney walls also can pose health risks, and, at a minimum, creosote can cause a foul odor to fill your home.
The value of a certified chimney sweep
The surest way to save your home from the dangers posed by a buildup of creosote is to hire a certified chimney sweep to clean and inspect your chimney. Chimney sweeps use high-speed rotating brushes to free the creosote buildup from your chimney walls. In addition, your chimney sweep also will perform a thorough inspection of your chimney and fireplace to ensure that there are no weaknesses, damage or other problems that could put your home at risk of a fire or carbon monoxide leak. Many chimney sweeps also will conclude their sweepings and inspections with a video inspection of the inside of your chimney so you can be sure that all of the creosote has been safely swept away, and you can see first hand the state of the interior of your chimney.
Save your chimney — and your home — from the dangers of a chimney fire with a certified chimney sweeping. If your chimney hasn’t been swept in recent memory, it’s time to schedule an appointment now! To remove creosote and reduce the risk of chimney fires, your chimney should be swept and inspected at least once per year, preferably in between fire-burning seasons. Before you light your first fire of the season, call the Chimney Care Co. to schedule your sweeping and inspection.
The Value of CSIA Certified Technicians
When you’re searching for someone to clean, inspect and service your chimney or fireplace, there is one thing you should be on the lookout for: Certification by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). This certification lets you know that you are hiring a trained chimney professional who will follow industry best practices when taking care of your chimney and fireplace.
About the CSIA
The CSIA is an industry leader in education when it comes to fireplaces, heating stoves, venting and chimneys. It was founded in 1983 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to training chimney industry professionals to properly care for chimneys, vents and heating appliances. Also, to educate the public on safe fireplace and heating stove operation. The CSIA provides industry standard certifications for chimney professionals in the United States.
What CSIA certification means:
To obtain CSIA certification, chimney professionals have to undergo education courses. They also sit through an exam on caring for fireplaces, heating stoves, vented appliances and chimneys. You can be confident that your CSIA-certified chimney sweep has been trained in the science of fire burning and creosote formation.
This fire science includes:
- The correct techniques for cleaning, inspecting and repairing chimneys.
- Building and installation of chimneys and fireplaces.
- The laws and industry standards regarding chimney, vent and fireplace construction and installation.
- EPA requirements dealing with fireplaces and heating stoves.
How chimney sweeps become CSIA certified:
To achieve their CSIA certification, chimney sweeps must attend a CSIA review, or attend the CSIA’s National Chimney Sweep Training School. This is a six-day training course that gives sweeps hands-on chimney care experience. After completing a review or training school, sweeps must sit through a one-hour exam on successful chimney sweeping. In addition, they must learn the National Fire Protection Association’s chimney code. Also, take a 90-minute open-book exam on the International Residential Code. To maintain their CSIA certification, sweeps must sit through the exams every three years or must undergo continuing education courses.
The CSIA Code of Ethics:
On top of their education and exams, chimney sweeps must swear to the CSIA’s code of ethics to obtain their certification. The code of ethics maintains that the sweep will adhere to what they have learned through their CSIA training.
- They will educate themselves on and follow local codes that apply to fireplaces, heating stoves and chimneys.
- That they will abide by all manufacturers’ instructions as they install, maintain and repair home-heating appliances and chimneys.
- That they will treat their customers professionally.
- They will educate their customers on the safe operation and maintenance of their heating appliances and chimneys.
The Chimney Care Co. and the CSIA:
At The Chimney Care Co., we understand the role we play in keeping your fireplace, chimney, your home and your family safe. We know how important it is that our technicians are knowledgeable about what they do. That’s why we are proud to be CSIA-certified sweeps! If you are in need of a chimney professional, call The Chimney Care Co. to schedule an appointment today! With our CSIA certification, you can be confident that you are getting educated professionals that will treat you, your chimney and your home with respect.
Top 10 Reasons Not to Clean Your Chimney
There are certain dangers in operating your fireplace without having it cleaned and inspected annually.
Keep this information in mind when thinking about your chimney.
Spring Is Here – Get Your Chimney Cleaned and Inspected Now
NO MORE WAITING GAMES…
Most homeowners with a fireplace have been told about the importance of having their chimney system cleaned annually (or more often depending on how heavily they rely on it during heating season), and a large portion now acknowledge this importance and make an annual inspection and cleaning part of their yearly to-do list. Yet somehow chimney maintenance is de-prioritized until the colder weather begins setting in. Homeowners can then be seen scrambling to make their appointments so they can start using their fireplaces to keep warm at night. What many of these homeowners complain about, however, is the wait time involved between scheduling the appointment and actually having the work completed.
AVOID COSTLIER FUTURE REPAIRS…
They’re not overly excited about waiting a few days or weeks for their respective chimney service companies to be able to fit them into their schedule. Some homeowners, due to their impatience, will settle for a non-certified chimney company; in doing so, they may be saving a few dollars in upfront costs, but they could very well be spending a lot more down the road, as these fly-by-night sweeps could overlook a small issue that could have disastrous consequences for you and your family.
IF YOU DO NEED REPAIRS, THEY CAN BE COMPLETED QUICKLY
Chimney professionals are no doubt the busiest during the fall season. As the temperature drops, the fireplace begs to be used, but only when it is clean and ready. It might be a few weeks before a crew can get to your home, and if they find your chimney needs repairs, there can be more delays keeping you from using your fireplace. The spring and summer are the best times to get your chimney cleaned and inspected and allows plenty of time to address any repairs. Scheduling is usually easier as well as its kind of like getting your air conditioning serviced in winter.
DON’T SETTLE FOR LESS THAN THE BEST…
Rather than settling for an untrained alternative simply because they can come service your chimney system a day or two sooner in October, why not call a reputable company during the warmer spring months to take care of all of your chimney system needs. Your chimney might be one of the farthest things from your mind when it’s no longer cold outside, but it can save you in the long run from lots of hassle and frustration.
A little planning and forethought can help to ensure that you receive your annual service from a reputable, certified company in a timely manner. Enjoy your fires this year with peace of mind. To make an appointment today, call us at 513-248-9600 or click here to schedule an appointment online.