Here at Lou Curley’s Chimney Service, we always recommend that you schedule your chimney cleaning and inspection in the spring or early summer. It isn’t because we want to prolong our busy season; it’s so we can avoid turning you away in the fall because we’re booked. Fall and early winter are our busiest season because so many homeowners wait until late summer to schedule a chimney inspection. Here’s the best way to be proactive and get your chimney cleaned and inspected early:

Hire CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps

Anyone can put a sticker on the truck and say that they are a chimney sweep; it isn’t illegal. A business license doesn’t even guarantee that your chimney sweep is certified and well-educated in the field. A CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certified chimney sweep is well-versed in everything related to your chimney and fireplace. The CSIA certification process includes several hours of bookwork and hands-on work as well. We also hold a few other certifications that most chimney sweeps don’t acquire.

Included in Inspections

The chimney itself isn’t the only thing we inspect when you hire us for a chimney inspection. We look at everything from the chimney cap to the firebox and adjoining pieces. The fireplace and chimney are functional elements of your home and must be treated and maintained as other appliances.

Annual Chimney Inspection

The CSIA and NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) recommend that every chimney, whether used or not, be inspected once a year. This isn’t necessarily to clean the chimney or prepare it for a particular season, but to ensure that it is in good condition. We can make sure that it hasn’t started to crumble and create a structural hazard for your home.

Avoid Scams

Scam artists are everywhere these days and the chimney inspection and chimney sweep field is no exception. We hear about scammers offering low-cost chimney services every year. They generally start in the spring and finish up through mid-fall, leaving many area homeowners low on cash and with a dirty chimney.

Call us at 610-626-2439 for an appointment for a consultation, chimney cleaning, chimney repair, or chimney inspection. Remember, don’t wait until late summer or early fall to schedule your chimney cleaning with us. We need to get you on the schedule as quickly as possible so we can make sure your chimney is ready for everything next winter can throw at it.