Level 3 inspections are done when structural damage is suspected. Chimney liners are made of clay, ceramic, or metal and protect bricks and mortar from heat and corrosion to extend the chimney’s life and make fireplace use safer. They also protect the house from dangerous heat transfer, and they assist in optimized efficiency and ventilation.
Chimney Fire
If your chimney hasn’t been cleaned in several years, be prepared to incur a higher cost due to the amount of debris that will need to be removed. Interview a few prospective chimney sweeps to find the right match for you and your home. If you do choose to clean your chimney yourself, invest in the right tools. These brushes and drop clothscan make the job easier and less messy. The CSIA provides a thorough guide on choosing the right wood and burning it safely in your fireplace or woodstove. Hearing animals or birds inside the chimney or finding debris like twigs at the base of the fireplace means there might be nests or blockages. If it’s been a while since the last cleaning, there might be more buildup, which leads to a more labor-intensive process.
Mason’s Chimney Service
Cleaning and inspection may uncover that the chimney cap is damaged or missing and needs to be replaced. The chimney cap is a screened cap that fits over the top of the chimney and is attached to the chimney liner or flue tile.
That’s why it’s important to maintain your chimney and schedule annual cleanings from a professional. The best time to clean your chimney is before you actually need to use it. For most of us, that means getting your chimney cleaned in the spring, summer, or early fall. A professional cleaning includes an inspection for soot buildup, obstructions, cracks in the chimney liner and signs of water damage. Older chimneys often have gaps between clay liner sections where the mortar has fallen out. If you burn mostly green logs, have your chimney cleaned or inspected every 50 burns. If you see moisture bubbling out the ends of the logs when they’re burning, the wood is wet.
Emergency service – Inspections needed urgently or outside of standard service times will have extra fees. Thread on additional sections of rod as needed and repeat the scrubbing until you reach the bottom. To do this, you’ll need to be above the chimney looking down, which means you’ll need to be able to use ladders and be on a roof safely and comfortably. You may end up paying upwards of $1,000 for a chimney in poor condition or one that requires significant effort bring it up to code. Of soot can reduce heat transfer efficiency by up to 50 percent. On top of that, discovering and repairing air leaks can help reduce your overall energy bill. Then switch back to the long-handled brush to clean the sides of the firebox.
The most common types of fireplaces are gas, pellet, wood-burning, and wood. Gas fireplace chimneys are often the cheapest to clean at around $85 to $250, and some gas fireplaces don’t have chimneys at all. Wood-burning fireplaces have some of the highest chimney sweep costs at $300 to $1,000.
Accessibility can also affect the price; steeply pitched roofs make the job more complex and more dangerous. The cost will go up if the work goes beyond cleaning to repair, such as installing a chimney cap or damper, fixing the flashing, or removing an animal or other debris. A standard chimney inspection costs about $100 to $250, depending on roof accessibility and the type of chimney inspected. Some chimney sweeps waive inspection fees if cleaning or repair work is done. Excessive creosote buildup or debris in the chimney can lead to chimney fires. Uncontrolled, a chimney fire can catch the roof or other parts of the house on fire and cause extensive damage.
However, there are a few ways to keep chimney sweep service affordable. Chimney sweeps require protective gear like respirator masks and safety glasses to protect themselves from irritating and potentially carcinogenic material. Homeowners will need enough knowledge to diagnose any issues, as well as how to make any necessary repairs if there is any chimney damage. If the fireplace isn’t used often, it may be possible to extend the period between cleanings because there won’t be much soot buildup. However, if the fireplace is in use more than four times a week, it may need a more thorough or more frequent cleaning to keep it functioning safely and efficiently. Roofs with acutely high peaks or steep pitches make access to the chimney more difficult and dangerous, leading to higher costs. If the chimney sweep has difficulty reaching the chimney by ladder or safely getting to the chimney, the cost to clean it can go up.
If you don’t clean your chimney, you are putting yourself at risk of chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. The build up of soot, creosote and tar can block fumes from escaping and ignite under heat. Read more about Chimney Sweep Littleton here. What to do for other chimneys and heat sources in the homeWood-burning stoves also have flues and chimneys that need a yearly inspection.
