Your fireplace worked hard keeping you and your family warm all winter long and now it is time for you to show it some love in return. The inside of your fireplace and your chimney are going to be covered in soot and creosote and you should have all that cleaned out before you begin your fun this summer.
We do not recommend that you clean the entire chimney yourself, but there are a few things that you can do while you are waiting for a professional to come in and clean and inspect your chimney. The first thing that you can do is remove any of the ashes that are still lingering in the bottom of your fireplace. Make sure they are cool before you scoop them up and place them in a metal container for disposal.
Once the majority of the ashes are cleared out, you can take a broom or a vacuum and remove the rest of the loose ash from the bottom of your fireplace. After all of that is done, you can close the damper and wait for a professional to do the rest.
A professional chimney sweep’s job may seem easy, but in reality, it is not. They are responsible for making sure that your chimney is in working order, safe to use, and not in any disrepair. As soon as they arrive at your home, they will begin to remove the creosote from the inside of your chimney. You should never let creosote buildup inside your chimney for any length of time, because it can cause a chimney fire that can quickly get out of control and spread to the rest of your home.
As soon as the chimney sweep is finished removing the creosote, they will inspect your entire chimney, both on the inside and the outside. They will be checking for any water damage, missing bricks, crumbling bricks, missing flashing, damaged crown, or a damaged or missing chimney cap. If they see that any of these items need to be repaired or replaced, they will recommend that you get it done sooner than later, before the damage gets any worse.
Having your chimney cleaned and inspected early in the summer will mean that you have the rest of the season to relax and do all the fun and exciting things on your list. Your chimney and fireplace will be ready for those colder temperatures in a few months, even if you are not. Call us at 610-626-2439 for an appointment for a consultation, chimney sweeping service, or chimney repair.