Home Builders Are Not Chimney Professionals
While it may seem logical to hire a home builder to inspect your fireplace and offer services as far as repairs and cleaning, this is not the best option for adequately maintaining your chimney. While home builders have many important skills, fireplace maintenance is rarely one of their focal points. Overall, the best option for chimney care and cleaning is to hire a professional who specializes in that field. If you are due for an inspection or are worried that your fireplace is in need of repairs before burning season, make sure the person you are hiring is qualified by following these guidelines.
CSIA Certification
A proper chimney expert will be certified with the Chimney Safety Institute of America. This is a nation-wide certification that ensures the person you hired has gone through various training and schooling to become the best that they can be in their field. Those who are certified take pride in their accomplishment and appreciate the learning advantages that they were offered while gaining this honor.
Another advantage to hiring a CSIA certified professional is knowing that they are up-to-date on all current chimney-related practices. The CSIA requires that their certification be renewed on a regular basis to make sure that everyone is informed of the latest techniques and practices. They recognize that things often change and staying updated on current technologies is vital for ensuring safety.
Proper Business Techniques
Look at how long the company has been in business and see if they have any reviews or references that will offer insight into their level of service. Never be afraid to ask for proof of proper insurance and licensing certifications. Any good company should be proud to show off their credentials. Take a look at any possible complaints the company might have received as far as lack of professionalism or not enforcing proper techniques.
Why Professionals are Necessary
You may be wondering why it is so important to ensure that a professional examines and works on your chimney. It comes down to ensuring the longevity of your chimney and making sure that your home and family is protected when you put your fireplace to use. If a chimney is not up to code or properly cleaned the likelihood of a house fire increases immensely.
A chimney fire can occur for many reasons, but a major one is creosote build-up. When you start a fire in your fireplace, creosote starts to form. Creosote will accumulate more quickly if all of the parts of the chimney are not running smoothly, inhibiting air flow. Since creosote is very flammable, the importance of having a properly cleaned and maintained chimney cannot be stressed enough. Chimney experts will be able to tackle excess debris and offer many other services and advice in regards to whatever chimney problems might be occurring within your home.
The fireplace professionals at Olde Town Chimney Sweeps are trained and certified to fulfill your exact needs. Call 804-693-2859 and make an appointment today.