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Why You Should Hire A Chimney Sweep
It is important to keep a chimney clean
regardless of the type of fuel burned. This can prevent fires as
well as prevent noxious gasses from entering the home. The chimney
carries away toxic gasses emitted from the fire in the fireplace and
it is an important safety measure to ensure it is clean and free
from blockage. A chimney sweep will perform routine maintenance and
inspection to ensure proper safety standards are met.
It is advised that maintenance on the chimney be performed once per
year. In other countries this is a standard accepted practice.
However, this idea is still quite new in the United States. It is
growing in popularity, though, because of the increase in deaths and
injuries related to fireplaces. Over 5,500 fires and 10,000 gas
poisonings occur each year due to improper fireplace maintenance.
These figures can be greatly reduced with proper care.
Chimney sweeps are available in all areas and can be easily found in
the phone book or via an Internet search. Choose services that are
experienced and affordable. It is also recommended to obtain a
service that is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America
(CSIA), a non profit organization that educates tests and certifies
chimney sweep services.
The chimney sweep will first inspect the chimney for any damage and
determine the extent of cleaning necessary. It is advisable to hire
a chimney sweep that only does inspections and cleaning, and does
not actually do the repairs. This forces them to be objective about
repair needs and can minimize unnecessary expenditures. After the
inspection, the cleaning will begin. The room surrounding the
chimney will be protected from falling dirt and particles so no
damage is incurred. Once the chimney is thoroughly brushed and
clean, the technician will vacuum the particles and do a final
cleaning of the surrounding area.
Some people may be tempted to do the work themselves. However, there
is an aspect of danger to the job and it can be very time consuming
and tiring. It is necessary to utilize the proper equipment and have
access to the roof and interior of the chimney. This can sometimes
prove dangerous with the use of tall ladders. Professional chimney
sweep services are licensed and bonded which will protect your
investment. The cost of the service is affordable, generally fewer
than two hundred dollars, and depending on the chimney the cleaning
will only take approximately one hour. Therefore, using
professionals is recommended.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters,
portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop on line at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. We offer
a great selection online at the lowest prices anywhere. We can also be
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