Buying a home is a huge investment – which is why doing things to maintain the value of yours is a must during your time of ownership. For homes with chimneys, this means keeping the fireplace and flue clean and operational with every passing year. And when it comes to fireplaces, it’s not just about property value… it’s also about the getting the most from your system in terms of efficiency and safety.

Because of this, annual chimney inspections are a must. And while lots of folks are diligent about booking this regular service, many wait until our busy fall season to get it done, which can lead to time constraints and issues. If you need chimney care, we advise getting on our schedule now, while things are still slow.

Benefits of Scheduling Chimney Maintenance in Summer

• Minimize Delays: Getting maintenance done in the summertime means your chimney will be ready for use the moment the cold season starts. From the instant you feel a chill in the air, you can light up the hearth and take full advantage of the heat, minimizing energy costs and creating that ambiance you’re craving. Even if you schedule maintenance as soon as you feel a chill in the air, you’re already hitting the busy season for sweeps – and you’ll likely be one in a long line of clients waiting for care.
• Convenient Scheduling: Summertime maintenance is the perfect time to schedule with Firesafe because we’re free and open to get you scheduled when you want. In a matter of days, you could have your chimney cleaned, inspected, and repaired (if needed), all on the day that works best for you. Our schedule books are open, so give us a call today!
• Quick & Safe Access: Chimney sweepings, repairs, and inspections are best done when there’s easy access to the flue (i.e. when you’re not using it a lot). This makes summertime the best time to get it done. This is primarily because nothing is wet or icy, so there’s little chance of slipping on your roof or battling tons of fallen leaves and branches on the way to the chimney’s opening. Schedule now to help your trusted sweeps limit accidents in the field, so that we can better serve you year after year.
• Ample Time for Repairs: You never really know what workers will find inside the chimney. If a sweeping is all you need, then you won’t have much to address before the burn season begins. However, some chimneys are riddled with cracking or deteriorating brickwork, missing or broken liners, poorly installed components, and more. Chimney maintenance experts can quickly spot these problems and offer a solution. That said, some repairs can take several days or even up to a week, thus delaying the start of your burn period. By booking in the summer, you’ll have plenty of time to address problems before you need to use the chimney.
• Lower Maintenance Costs: The cost of chimney maintenance is usually proportionate to the extent of maintenance that needs to be done. If you have your chimney swept and inspected every year, you reduce the risk of needing overdue maintenance or repairs that have been neglected in the past. Basically, you’re always better off scheduling affordable maintenance early on, rather than wait until small issues turn into big and costly repairs.
• Avoiding Water Damage: Water can quickly cause damage to the inside and outside of your chimney if left unaddressed. In these cases, mold will likely form, your masonry will crack and crumble, and various parts of your system will break down and become rusted. In the end, you’ll wind up investing in a lot of expensive and time-consuming repair work, when all of this could have been avoided with some simple leak repair maintenance ahead of time.
• Preventing Animal Entry: Birds, squirrels, and other critters often find chimneys an attractive and useful spot for nesting. By having your chimney swept and inspected regularly, your chimney sweep can ensure no critters have made their way in, and that your system is set up with the appropriate parts (like a chimney cap) to keep them out for good.
• Lowered Risk of Gas Leaks & Fire Hazards: There have been instances when carbon monoxide levels build up in houses, causing health issues or death to the people inside. The current set-up of chimneys nowadays means there’s a limited chance of this happening, but it can still occur with a poorly maintained system. The gradual increase of dirt and debris along the chimney walls will prevent the carbon monoxide and smoke from exiting through the top, meaning it will go back into the house. You’ll also face an increased risk of experiencing a chimney fire.

How Often Should You Get Chimney Maintenance?

Chimney inspections are best done once a year. This gives your sweeps the opportunity to spot any potential threats or blockages, and it provides you with peace of mind knowing that the chimney is in working order before you decide to light a fire in the fall. Poorly maintained chimneys run the risk of causing hazards like water damage, mold growth, creosote accumulation, chimney fires, gas leaks, and more.

When choosing a chimney sweep do your homework. Check for industry certifications, experience in the field, and be sure to browse company reviews online too.

How Long Does Chimney Maintenance Take?

The length of your chimney maintenance depends on the status and condition of your system. If performing an inspection on a well-maintained chimney, we will likely need just an hour or so of work, especially if there’s easy access to the flue system. Most chimney sweeps will allocate at least 2 hours to the service just in case they encounter some problems along the way.

That said, if chimney repairs are in order, these services will take longer. Cracks in the brickwork, relining work, or renovations made on the system can be an all-day affair, depending on the extent of the damage. After your chimney inspection, our experts will be able to give you a detailed description of the work that needs to be done – and how long it will take.

Do You Need Professional Care? Give Us a Call!

Remember that without proper tools and knowledge, fireplaces and chimneys can be dangerous to work with. Don’t DIY – leave all of your chimney and fireplace care to our experts.

Schedule a visit today, so you don’t have to worry when winter comes.

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