Reduce Your Fire Risk & Keep Your Chimney in Great Condition With Our No-Mess Chimney Cleanings
One of the main reasons we love our line of work is that it helps reduce fire risk for homeowners in the Milwaukee area. You see, every year, preventable chimney fires result in injuries, property loss, and even loss of life. But routine chimney sweepings can keep you and your family safer, by removing flammable creosote before it becomes a threat.
Creosote is a natural byproduct of burning wood, but when it’s allowed to build up inside the chimney, it can easily cause a chimney fire. In fact, creosote buildup is a leading cause of chimney fires here in the U.S.
So how do you know when creosote has reached unsafe levels in your chimney? How do you know when to schedule a chimney cleaning?
Anytime there is as measurable level\ of creosote or soot inside of your chimney, a cleaning should be scheduled. But that’s not always easy to determine. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) provide a good rule of thumb to help homeowners out. They recommend annual chimney inspections.
“Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.” (NFPA Standard 211)
By following their guidance and scheduling a chimney inspection every year, you will know when a cleaning is needed, so you can get it scheduled before creosote becomes a threat to your safety and peace of mind.
What Happens During a Chimney Cleaning? Will It Be Messy?
Good news for homeowners in Milwaukee: When you hire Ashbusters Chimney, you don’t have to worry about a mess in your home. We use drop cloths, HEPA-filter vacuums, and foot covers to ensure a mess-free cleaning every time.
Here’s a rundown of what you can expect when you hire us for your chimney cleaning:
- To start, we wear protective booties and lay down tarps to protect your flooring.
- Once our tools are set up on one of the drop cloths, we get right to work cleaning the damper and checking for rust or damage.
- Next, we get out our brushes and rods to clean the flue. We remove soot, creosote, and debris, and capture everything we remove in a HEPA-filtered vacuum.
- Then we inspect the chimney using a camera system that allows us to check our work.
- Finally, we look at the exterior of the chimney, assessing the masonry, crown/chase cover, flashing, and cap for damage, leaks, rust, improper fit/installation, or other concerning issues.
Once we’ve completed your inspection and cleaning, we provide you with a detailed report. This report will specify any damage or concerns uncovered during the process, as well as any recommendations we have for repairs or preventive maintenance. That way, you know exactly what needs to be done – if anything – so you can budget, prioritize, and plan.
Let Milwaukee’s Certified, No-Mess Team Tackle Your Chimney Cleaning – Call Today
Think it might be time for a chimney sweeping? Don’t worry, the job’s nothing like what you see in the movie Mary Poppins – at least not when you hire Ashbusters Chimney. We take great care to keep ourselves and your home clean throughout the process and we almost never tap dance on roofs.
To schedule your next chimney inspection or cleaning, call 414-626-5636 or reach out to us here on our website. We’re here to help!
The best way to discover what chimney or dryer vent service you need is through a regular inspection ,,, don’t wait to get it done!