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The Silver Lining of Waiting

Before you light the first fire in your fireplace each year, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the National Firecalendar with hourglass Protection Association (NFPA), and other national fire safety organizations recommend that you have your chimney professionally swept and inspected. The reason why this recommendation is made is to ensure that your chimney and fireplace system will work efficiently and safely throughout the winter. Without this professional chimney maintenance service appointment, it can be impossible to know whether or not there are hidden hazards lurking inside the chimney, such as cracks and gaps in the liner. Since the last thing that you need to deal with during the holidays is an accidental house fire caused by a damaged chimney liner, it is important to take care of this professional service before the fireplace season begins. For over 25 years, Atlas Chimney has been known across the Austin, TX region as the best source for professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation services in the area, and our team of trained and experienced professional chimney sweeps are so busy every fall preparing the chimneys of our customers that it can be difficult to schedule an appointment between September and the end of the year on a date that is convenient for you. We understand that it can be frustrating to wait to use your fireplace until we can sweep and inspect your chimney, so we would like to tell you about the silver lining of having to wait for your maintenance appointment with our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps. We will also share how you can avoid this waiting period next year.

What exactly is the silver lining of having to wait three more weeks until I can use my fireplace?

As we mentioned earlier, it is recommended to have your chimney professionally swept and inspected before lighting the first fire of the year, and this means that many homeowners are in need of professional chimney maintenance services every fall. For over 25 years, Atlas Chimney has had a waiting list for chimney sweep and inspection appointments that begin in September and typically continues throughout the rest of the year. Although we do understand why customers might feel frustrated by this waiting list, we very rarely hear that they will try another chimney sweeping company because they know that our service is worth the wait. They can count on our professional chimney sweeps giving their undivided attention to their chimneys because they know that we value their safety.

How can I avoid having to wait to have my chimney professionally swept and inspected by Atlas Chimney?

We recommend to our customers to forward schedule their annual chimney maintenance service appointments with us to be sure that their fireplaces will be ready to use on the first cool day of the year. After we have swept and inspected your chimney, we will give you the option to go ahead and reserve your appointment time for your next maintenance service. Another suggestion we have to avoid waiting to use your fireplace is to make your chimney sweeping appointment with us in the spring or summer. Since this is our off-season, it can be easier for busy customers to find an available appointment with us on a date that is most convenient for them. Scheduling during the spring and summer is also recommended if you plan to take care of any chimney repairs or make any changes to your chimney. We prefer to do masonry chimney construction and repair services during warmer weather, and you will have plenty of time to have the necessary work done before you want to use your fireplace again in the fall.

What can I expect from my annual professional chimney maintenance appointment with Atlas Chimney?

We are proud to guarantee a mess-free chimney sweeping service, and this is just one of the things that sets us apart from other chimney companies in the area. To protect your home from getting dirty during the appointment, we will place tarps around your fireplace and set up a vacuum that is specifically designed to ensure that no creosote, soot, or other debris enters your home during chimney sweepings. We will then use specialized tools, such as rotating brushes on extended rods, to scrub the inner walls of your chimney. Once we have finished sweeping, we will vacuum away the debris from the firebox and smoke shelf. If we find that creosote in your chimney has built up into a thick glaze on the interior walls, we can use special chemicals to remove this hazardous material and reduce the risk of a chimney fire. A basic Level 1 chimney inspection is included with our annual chimney sweeping service, and you can count on our CSIA-certified professionals to make sure there are no flue blockages or other types of issues that could cause your chimney to be unsafe to use.

Although the wait for a professional chimney maintenance appointment from Atlas Chimney can be frustrating, there is a silver lining of guaranteed excellent service from our qualified and experienced professional CSIA-certified chimney sweeps. Contact us today to schedule your appointment for your annual chimney sweeping and inspection.

What Is Dryer Vent Rerouting?

One of the things that you love the most about your new home is having your laundry room next to your master bathroom because it is so convenient when it is time to do laundry chores. However, this dryer vent hoseconvenience could be a dangerous fire hazard. When clothes dryers are located in a room with only interior walls, the dryer vents may not be correctly installed, and this could not only create a fire hazard, but it also could lead to clothes dryers not working as efficiently as possible. Atlas Chimney wants your family to be as safe as possible in your home, and we also want your home to be at its highest levels of energy efficiency. For over 25 years, we have provided superior professional chimney and venting system maintenance, repair, and installation services to the Austin area, and you can trust our experienced professionals because we have been trained and certified by the leaders in the industry, such as the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). We would like to tell you more about dryer vent rerouting and why it is so important.

Why do I need my dryer vent rerouted?

In order for your clothes dryer to work as efficiently as it can, the vent needs to be as straight as possible, and when your dryer is located upstairs in the middle of your home, the vent is likely twisted and curved before it reaches the outside of your home. This can restrict airflow which can cause your dryer to work harder than it should, which can waste energy and money. You also have an increased risk of your vent being clogged with lint, which is so flammable that the Boy Scouts of America recommend using it to start campfires. Another dryer vent issue that Atlas Chimney has seen over the years is the vent terminating in a crawl space or an attic, rather than outside of the home. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI), dryer vents must end on the outside of the building and be positioned at least three feet away from a window or a door. When your dryer vent ends in your attic or crawl space, it can deposit moisture, and this increases the risk of wood decay and mold growth.

What can I expect from a dryer vent service from Atlas Chimney?

The safety of our customers is the number one priority at Atlas Chimney. Our technicians have received professional certifications from the CSIA, which means we have been educated and trained on how to properly maintain, repair, and install dryer vents so that your clothes dryer will function as safely and efficiently as possible. If your dryer is located on an interior wall in your home, we can reroute the vent to help your appliance work at its highest levels of efficiency and safety. We will also ensure that your dryer vent meets all local building codes and standards. You can count on us to take the extra precautions to guarantee a mess-free dryer vent rerouting service because we will show your home the utmost respect and care.

Atlas Chimney also provides high-quality professional dryer vent and air duct cleaning services to the Austin area. Reduce your risk of a devastating house fire and prolong the life of your clothes dryer by contacting us today to schedule an appointment with our CSIA-certified dryer vent technicians.

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