Chimney Care Company's Blog
Beyond Cincy – Serving Southwestern Ohio!
Now that winter is closer to being over, it’s time to start thinking about all things spring! That means taking some long hikes, getting outside to do some raking and other yard work, getting you vehicles out to wash and clean them inside and out. It feels so good to let the warm breezes blow in through your open windows. But it is only the middle of March, and that means that there could still be lots of cold weather ahead, snowy days that just beg for a warm fire burning in your fireplace. It is always good to think ahead, however, and as it gets closer to springtime, it’s a good idea to start making a list so you can get some of your springtime jobs out of the way so that you have time to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. One of those things that’s easy to get checked off your springtime to-do list is to set up an appointment to get your chimney inspected and cleaned. At Chimney Care Co., we are excited about the upcoming spring season and the chance to start cleaning all the chimneys in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, but we want to let people know that Cincy isn’t the only area we service. We also take great pride and pleasure in making sure that chimneys in the whole southwestern Ohio region are safe and cleaned out, free of creosote build-up and blockages.
What Services Do We Provide
Of course, when it’s spring, the thing that you want from a chimney sweep company is a chimney sweeping. That’s a job that our CSIA certified chimney sweeps are great at. We’ll come in and make sure that there’s no creosote buildup in your chimney. Creosote, the byproduct of smoke, can form and build up on the inside of your chimney, and when it gets as thick as an eighth of an inch thick, it becomes a fire hazard. As well as bringing a nasty odor to your fireplace, creosote is also extremely flammable, and that means that all it takes is one stray spark and you might have a blazing chimney fire or even just a little one that goes undetected but still causes lots of damage to your chimney. We’ll also be looking for blockages, such as from dried out nests or any types of debris that might have blown into your chimney. These types of blockages can not only be a fire hazard, but they can also make your fire burn less efficiently.
We’ll also spend some time inspecting the different parts of the chimney. We’ll make sure there’s no interior damage that might be causing leakages in your fireplace. Also, we’ll check the exterior of your chimney to make sure that the mortar and brick are firmly in place and that the structure of your chimney is sound. We’ll check to make sure that your flashing is secure and in good condition, and that your chimney crown and cap are in great shape so that water isn’t getting into your chimney.
Even though spring does make you think of inspecting and sweeping, at Chimney Care there are lots of other jobs that we can do. If you’re looking for any type of repair work, like tuckpointing to clean out your old, deteriorating mortar and replace it with a fresh, strong mortar, or maybe fixing or replacing your dampers, give us a call. We’re experts in all types of repair work. Not only that, but if you’re looking to replace an old appliance or are just looking to upgrade a newer appliance, we can help you out there as well. We sell Hearthstone, Lopi, and Fireplace Xtrordinair, as well as many other types of appliances, so we can find whatever type of heating appliance will fit your needs and the ambiance of your home.
Certifications and Education
When you hire the associates at Chimney Care, you can know that you’re hiring personnel with the highest training in the industry. We are Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified, which means that our employees have received training from the most highly regarded chimney institute in the industry. We also are members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) and the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association. We want to be able to supply our customers with the highest quality service available, and we’ll continue to work hard to maintain the highest level of education available. Now that spring is on the way, it’s important to get your appointment on our schedule before it starts to fill up during the busy spring season. And don’t forget, as much as we love serving all the good people of Cincinnati, we also love making sure that all the good citizens of southwestern Ohio are kept safe and sound all year long!
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.
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.
Now’s The Time To Make Your Chimney Sweeping And Inspection Appointment
Fall has arrived! Cooler temperatures are just around the corner. Before you know it, you will be ready to light your first fire of the fall. However, before you ignite a fire in your fireplace, you need to have your chimney swept and inspected. To avoid missing out on some of the fire-burning season, now is the time to schedule your annual chimney sweeping and inspection appointment. So, why is it so important to have your chimney and fireplace cleaned and inspected before you use your fireplace?
Prevent a chimney fire.
The most important reason to have your chimney swept and inspected before you use it this fall? Preventing a dangerous and damaging chimney fire! Every time you burn a fire in your fireplace, the smoke that travels up your chimney deposits fire byproducts on the walls of your chimney. Over time, those deposits harden into creosote. Creosote is incredibly flammable. Consequently, if it’s allowed to build up too thickly, a spare spark or extreme heat from your fireplace can cause it to ignite. To prevent chimney fires due to creosote, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that you have your chimney swept and inspected at least once a year.
Make sure your chimney is free from obstructions.
If you haven’t used your fireplace within the last year, or if you didn’t use it frequently last winter, you still need to have your chimney swept and inspected before you light a fire. Animals can make their way into the chimney and become stuck or build nests. Leaves and twigs can find their way into uncovered chimneys. When animals or debris become stuck in your chimney, they will prevent smoke from exiting your home. Chimney blockages can even cause dangerous carbon monoxide to build up within your home.
Spot chimney or fireplace damage.
The inspection component of your annual chimney service is just as important as the sweeping. Your inspection ensures that your fireplace and chimney are properly functioning. In addition, free from any signs of damage or leaks. Unnoticed chimney or fireplace damage can be a fire hazard, and unaddressed chimney damage can worsen to the point where the chimney structure or your home structure becomes compromised. With a chimney inspection, you can spot and address damage before it becomes a major problem!
Enjoy fireplace upgrades.
Of course, your annual chimney sweeping and inspection isn’t all drudgery; you can take the opportunity to ask questions or perform the fireplace or chimney upgrades you’ve been considering! Whether it’s a new fireplace insert, new fireplace doors, or a more efficient top-sealing damper you’ve been considering, your chimney technician can answer your hearth-related questions and help you plan your hearth upgrade.
Are you ready to schedule your chimney sweeping and inspection? If so, call the Chimney Care Co. to schedule an appointment today! We’ll make sure your fireplace and chimney are clean, damage free and ready to warm your home this fall and winter. Don’t miss out on a single fire this fall: Now is the time to schedule your annual chimney sweeping and inspection!
Closing out your fireplace and chimney for the season
Have you burned your last fire for the winter season? If you haven’t yet, you likely will soon. As the annual fire-burning season ends, it’s important that you properly close out your fireplace for the spring. When you’re sure you won’t be burning any more fires for the spring, there are a few things you should do to ensure that your fireplace and chimney will be in good shape when the fall rolls around.
Look for any signs of damage
With whipping winds, freezing temperatures and plenty of wet weather, winter is hard on your chimney. Spring is the time to examine your chimney and fireplace for any signs of damage. On the outside of your home, walk around your chimney and look for cracked or crumbling bricks and mortar, stains or discoloration on your chimney, or any other changes to your chimney. If you are able to see your chimney top, or easily venture onto your roof to check it, make sure that your chimney cap is damage free and securely in place, that your chimney crown or chimney chase cover is in good repair and that the flashing remains securely against the base of your chimney without any signs of cracks or corrosion.
Inside the fireplace, look for rust on fireplace doors, grates and the damper, and make sure your firebox is free from any cracks, crumbling tiles or other damage. Check the ceiling and walls for any discoloration or signs of a leak. If you spot any damage, don’t wait to call in a chimney sweep! Spring and summer are the best time for repairs.
Clean and close out your fireplace
Don’t be tempted to leave ashes or other fireplace debris in the firebox for the summer. Ashes are corrosive, and can cause undue damage to your firebox if they are left to sit. When you know the ashes have fully cooled since your last fire, use a fireplace broom and shovel or an ash vacuum to clear the ashes and debris. Ashes can be thrown away with your regular trash or turned into fertilizer for your lawn or garden.
If you have a gas fireplace that doesn’t require cleaning, make sure you turn off the pilot light. In all fireplaces, you will want to make sure that the damper is closed for the summer. A closed damper will ensure that conditioned air stays in and that any animals or pests that might make their way into your chimney stay out of your home.
Have your chimney swept
Fall might be the traditional time for a chimney sweeping, but spring is a good time for a chimney sweeping, too! You will want to have your chimney swept in the spring if you missed your fall cleaning, if you used your fireplace heavily this winter or if you notice foul smells coming from your fireplace in warmer weather. If your chimney was swept in the fall and shouldn’t need a spring cleaning; think ahead — Schedule your fall chimney sweeping and inspection now so you don’t have to worry about it as summer is drawing to a close!
If you notice chimney damage, or to schedule your chimney sweeping and inspection, call the Chimney Care Co. today!