Do you remember the last time your chimney was professionally cleaned? Chimney sweeping should be done at least once a year if you use a wood-burning fireplace. If you can’t remember the last time, now is the time to arrange for this service.
American Chimney & Fireplace has been cleaning and inspecting chimneys for our Pewee Valley, KY, customers since 2007. Let us help you reduce the chance of a chimney fire and keep your flue clean and efficient all year long.
Chimney Sweep Objectives
There are two main objectives.
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Remove flammable creosote
This substance forms when smoke condenses in the chimney. Creosote is responsible for most of the reported chimney fires in and around Pewee Valley, KY, each year.
Creosote can be flaky, sticky, puffy, or solid. Each form requires special tools and techniques to remove. Before any Pewee Valley, KY, chimney sweeping job, we perform a flue inspection to learn what kind of creosote we’re dealing with. This inspection will also alert us to damage issues that need to be fixed.
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Remove flue-obstructing debris
What kind of debris? Leaves, twigs, small animal nests and the small animals themselves when they die inside the flue are common. Debris in the chimney can lead to the backup of smoke and deadly carbon monoxide.
Backups and inefficient drafting caused by outside debris can be prevented by having a secure chimney cap installed at the top of your chimney.
How Chimney Sweeping in Pewee Valley KY Works
The technicians who clean your chimney will all be employees of American Chimney & Fireplace. We don’t hire outside labor or other contractors. Our technicians hold professional certifications, including:
- CSIA Master Chimney Sweep
- CSIA Certified Chimney Specialist
- CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep
During the job, we protect your living spaces with tarps and wear booties to keep from spreading dust and soot through the room when we walk. Commercial vacuums further help to protect your home and the things in it.
Steps to Preventing Chimney Fires
If you have a big chimney fire, you’ll know it. But you may not know if smaller fires start and go out quickly. Not all chimney fires are big, and the unseen damage caused by the smaller ones can add up.
Preventing any size of fire in your Pewee Valley, KY, chimney involves these six steps.
- Schedule annual chimney sweeping.
- Do not rely on chimney sweep logs to effectively remove anything except the most powdery creosote.
- Keep your chimney flue free of debris that could be fuel for a fire.
- Burn dry firewood, which creates less smoke and creosote than damp, unseasoned firewood.
- Never use lighter fluid, charcoal starter or other accelerants to start fires. Don’t burn smoky cardboard, plastic, metal, clothing or anything other than actual cut wood.
- Have your chimney properly inspected once a year – usually during a chimney sweeping project.
Recognizing the Signs of a Chimney Fire
Be aware of the most common signs:
- Dense smoke coming from either end of the chimney
- A rumbling sound like from a distant train
- Tapping or clicking noises
Call 911 and evacuate the house if you notice any of these signs. Don’t try to put out the fire yourself.
Expert Chimney Sweeping and Inspection in Pewee Valley KY
American Chimney & Fireplace is ready to help you keep your chimney cleaner, safer, and more efficient. If you live in Pewee Valley, KY, or anywhere in Oldham County, KY, you can speak with an experienced chimney professional by phone or get in touch through our contact form.
We serve Pewee Valley, KY, Louisville, KY, Orchard Grass Hills, KY, Coldstream, KY, Crestwood, KY, Brownsboro, KY, and other nearby cities and towns.
