If you have a chimney in your home, then it is important for you to take care of it. There is something fun and cozy about curling up in front of the fireplace and enjoying quality time with others. At the same time, you have to make sure that your fireplace is safe. This means getting your chimney cleaned on a regular basis. How long does a chimney cleaning take and what should be included in a professional chimney inspection and cleaning? There are several important tasks that you should keep in mind.

How Often Should a Chimney Be Inspected and Cleaned?

First, it is important to make sure that you get your chimney inspected at least once per year. If you have a new wood burning installation, such as a stove or a fireplace, then it is also important for you to check it about halfway through its first heating season. That way, you can make sure that everything is working properly. After this, you should get your chimney inspected at least once per year. Getting your chimney inspected annually is important because it gives a professional an opportunity to catch small issues before they get out of hand. If you do not get your chimney inspected on time, serious issues with your chimney could develop without you even noticing it.

One of the most important parts of a chimney inspection is getting it cleaned. An annual inspection will uncover whether your chimney needs to be swept or repaired. In general, you should clean out your chimney when there is about an eighth of an inch of deposit at the bottom. Depending on how often you use your fireplace, your chimney may need to be cleaned more often. If the venting system is not working properly, then this could lead to a greater amount of deposit in your chimney. What should be included in a professional chimney cleaning?

What Are the Tasks That Are Performed During a Professional Chimney Cleaning?

When you get your chimney cleaned by a professional, there are several tasks that are going to be completed. These include:
First, your chimney professional is going to sweep your fireplace. This is important for removing any deposit that may be present in the fireplace. If you allow this deposit to build up, it can impact the efficiency of your fireplace and create safety hazards.

Next, your firebox will also be checked. Your firebox plays a critical role in the proper function of your chimney. If something is wrong with your firebox, the professional will let you know during the cleaning process.
In addition, your smoke chamber and flue will also be inspected. If something is wrong with the flue or smoke chamber, this could cause smoke to build back into your home, creating a serious safety and health hazard. Cleaning the smoke chamber and flue is a critical part of the cleaning process.

Also, the chimney cleaning process will include an inspection of the liner. Your liners need to be cleaned in order for the chimney to appropriately vent smoke to the exterior.

Furthermore, the cleaning process is also going to include a thorough inspection of the appliance for proper clearances. Is critical to make sure that your appliances are working properly. If something is wrong with the clearances of your appliances, this could lead to a safety issue.

During the cleaning process, the exterior of your chimney will also be inspected. This includes the flashing and the mortar. If something is wrong with the exterior of your chimney, it may be discovered during the cleaning process. This planning process is important for removing mold and mildew from your chimney. When this mold and mildew are removed, signs of damage to the flashing or mortar may be detected. This will give you an opportunity to address the damage before it leads to serious structural issues.
There’s also a chance that the chimney cleaning process could include a video inspection. This video inspection is important for identifying signs of hidden damage. Sometimes, signs of damage or not always readily apparent. The video inspection provides you with information regarding your chimney that you may otherwise have overlooked.

Finally, this inspection and cleaning process is also important because it may provide you with access to recommendations regarding the proper operation of your chimney and fireplace. Furthermore, if there are any issues with the equipment, your cleaning professional may provide you with recommendations for replacements. Or, there may be opportunities to repair the equipment or structure of your chimney. Overall, the goal of the chimney cleaning process is to make sure that your chimney is operating as efficiently as possible. If changes need to be made, these suggestions will be provided as the cleaning process unfolds.

How Long Does it Take To Clean the Chimney?

If you have someone coming to your home to clean your chimney, you may want to know how long you can plan on them sticking around. In general, the chimney cleaning process is going to take somewhere between an hour and an hour and a half. There are a number of factors that are going to play a role and how long the cleaning process will take. Some factors include:
The larger your chimney and fireplace are, the longer the cleaning process is going to take.
If you have an older chimney or fireplace, it may take longer to clean it because the professional may not be as familiar with that design.

If the weather is poor outside, it may take longer to clean the exterior of the chimney.
The amount of time since your last cleaning is also going to play a role in how long the process will take. If it has been a long time since the last time you had your chimney cleaned, it may take longer to clean it this time.
If you are concerned about how long the chimney cleaning process is going to take, you should ask for an estimate ahead of time. That way, you can make plans accordingly.

How Do I Find the Right Professional To Help Me with the Chimney Cleaning Process?

Your chimney is critical to the structure of your home. It is important for you to take care of it properly. This means finding the right person to help you clean your chimney. Some of the steps that you should take if you are looking for a professional to help you clean your chimney include:

• Work with a professional who had the right certifications. These certifications are important because they are a reflection of the skill, training, and experience of the person you are hiring to take care of your chimney.
• You should ask for references and reviews. Most professional chimney cleaners are going to be open regarding the quality of their prior work. They should have a list of references ready as proof of their quality.
• You should also ask about any warranties on their work. If they can provide you with guarantees, this is a sign that they are confident in the work they are providing.
• You should also work with a chimney cleaner who has appropriate insurance. Even though you do not think something is going to go wrong, accidents happen from time to time. Insurance is important because it provides protection for not only the chimney cleaner but you as well.

If you go through these steps to find the right professional to help you with your chimney cleaning, you will place your fireplace, your chimney, and your house in the best position possible to function properly when the cold weather returns.

Work with Midtown Chimney Sweeps.

If you are looking for professionals who can help you take care of your chimney, then look no further than Midtown Chimney Sweeps. At Midtown Chimney Sweeps, it is our honor to serve the individuals and families in all of our serviced states. The weather gets cold during the winter and we want to make sure you have a safe, reliable source of heat. That is why we believe it is important to inspect and clean your chimney on a regular basis. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you take care of your chimney!