Cleaning and maintaining your chimneys, fireplaces, and dryer ducts has never been easier with All Season Roofing and Chimney Service. Enjoy the crackle and comfort of your fireplace more often by calling us today at 262-248-2684 .
Comprehensive chimney services
- Chimney sweeping
- Chimney relining
- Dryer vent cleaning
- Masonry repairs
- Crown work
- Troubleshooting chimney issues
- FREE estimate on services
- And many more!
Should you get your chimney cleaned?
Cleaning helps create a safer operation of your heating system. Creosote is highly flammable substance that builds up inside your chimney or liner as a result of burning wood. Different types of wood create different amounts of creosote when burned.
Creosote can reduce the draw of the fireplace and reduce efficiency. Cleaning your chimney is imperative!
How Often Should I get my Chimney Cleaned?
This depends a lot on how much you use your fireplace or stove. The National Fire Protection Association says, chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary so, even if you don't use your chimney a whole lot of birds, squirrels, raccoons and other critters may have been using your chimney making it unsafe to use without clearing out the accumulated debris from nesting activity.
The CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) says that fireplaces should be cleaned when 1/8 of sooty buildup is evident inside the chimney and flue system. If any glaze is appearing in the flue, cleaning should be done even if there is less than 1/8 of build up. Any time an appreciable accumulation of soot and creosote occurs it can be enough to fuel a chimney fire that may damage the chimney and even spread to the roof and home. Furnace flue systems also require cleaning, so don't neglect regular cleaning of those venting systems.
Some heavy use fireplaces produce an incredible amount of soot and creosote during a cleaning. Recently we removed nearly 2 full 5 gallon buckets of material from one chimney! Removing this material is critical to continued safe use of the fireplace and reduced risk of chimney fires that start when this highly combustible material builds up to unsafe levels.
When Do I Need A Chimney Inspection?
If you haven't had your chimney inspected in a year or more, if you are having any performance issues with your chimney, fireplace or heating system or if you have recently purchased the home you should schedule an inspection. Don't wait! Waiting almost always results in additional repairs, and unfortunately sometimes in property loss. Chimney inspections should be scheduled once a year. Every year in the US homeowners lose over 200 million dollars as a result of continuing to use unsafe systems. Another important time to get your venting systems inspected is when you have upgraded or changed heating systems or added a stove or insert. An inspection will make sure that your chimney, lining and venting systems are adequate and in working order to handle the new changes. If you have not used your fireplace in a long time, pests may have built nests that could clog your flue or chimney chamber. Winter freeze cycles and moisture combine to take an annual toll on masonry and liner materials too. Over several years the deterioration will eventually require attention. Normal wear and tear that is left unchecked will affect the performance of your system. The longer the defects go without being addressed, the more expensive the repairs are likely to be. Bottom line is â staying on top of your systems is not only the smartest and safest choice, it ends up being the most cost-effective too.
Chimney Inspections should be scheduled once a year.
To be sure that all of your systems are in working order and operating as they should, it is recommended that homeowners get an annual chimney inspection. Most homeowners opt to have a Chimney Cleaning done every year as well, especially if they use their fireplace on a regular basis. Other venting systems connected to furnaces and stoves should also be cleaned on a regular basis to maintain safer operation. Fireplace, stove, furnace and heating appliance systems are important to your home and families safety and not an area to neglect or cut corners on. Don't risk the chance that an undiscovered defect could turn into an expensive repair or worse yet, a chimney fire. If you only have minimal use of your fireplace or stove, an inspection is still advised annually to look at all heating venting systems, chimneys, stove systems and furnace flues. During these inspections any defects or issues that may be found that require action even if cleaning is not needed. When you have a regular chimney sweep company that you use, they will generally put you on an annual inspection schedule. During these inspections they will advise you if it is time to sweep.
The Best Time to Clean my Chimney?
Ideally, before the start of the burning season during the summer or early fall is a great time to get your chimney inspection and / or chimney cleaning. Before you think about building a fire or starting up your furnace because the weather has changed, is the time to call your chimney sweep. Maybe you forgot the early cleaning before starting to use the fireplace, stove or furnace? Donât wait until next year, we can do your chimney cleaning or inspection any time of year.
Quality chimney services for the Elkhorn, WI area, Southeastern Wisconsin and Northeastern Illinois
