Your chimney has worked hard all winter long and it’s probably looking quite dirty inside. You may think that it’s okay for chimneys to look like that, but in reality, all of the build-up of creosote is dangerous for you and your family. Too much creosote may lead to your chimney catching on fire without any warning.

Cleaning

A professional chimney sweep will be able to clean out your chimney and remove all of the creosote from the inside. While they are doing the cleaning, they will also be able to remove any debris that may have become stuck inside your chimney. The debris may be leaves or little sticks or as most often is the case, a squirrel or other small animal. Small animals are always looking for warm places to live during the winter months and your chimney may have been an option if there was space at the top for them to enter.

It is necessary for the debris to be removed, because the chimney can become blocked and smoke would not be able to exit the chimney and it would billow back into your home. Not only would this smoke make a mess, it can cause numerous health concerns as well.

Inspection

Professional chimney sweeps also perform inspections when they are cleaning a chimney. There are numerous things that they look at including:

  • Cracks and damage to your firebox
  • Damper that is not functioning properly
  • Cracked, loose, or missing bricks
  • Damaged or missing chimney cap
  • Damage to the flashing around the chimney

It is always best to find and repair any damage immediately, because many issues with chimneys can be dangerous. A cracked or missing brick can cause your chimney to collapse over time and chimney caps that do not function properly will let debris and water into your chimney. If water enters the inside of your chimney or seeps into the roof around your chimney, you will have a lot of damage that will need to be repaired. Water that leaks through the roof around the chimney will affect your ceilings and eventually your walls.

We always recommend that homeowners like you have their chimney cleaned and inspected once a year and spring is one of the best times to have the work done. Once your chimney is clean, you won’t have to worry about forgetting to make the appointment and you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of your summer.

The CSIA certified chimney sweeps at Lou Curley’s Chimney Service in Drexel Hill are waiting to hear from you. We’re a family-owned and operated company with more than 20 years of experience in the field. We work to further our education and gain or renew our certifications every year so that we can offer you the best in chimney services. Give us a call at 610-626-2439 if you’re in Drexel Hill or anywhere along the Main Line and in need of chimney services or inspection.