Chimney Sweep Appointment Archives

Tips to Prepare for Your Chimney Sweeping Appointment

Believe it or not, fall is just around the corner, and this means it is time to get your chimney and fireplace system ready to be able to enjoy cozy and warm fires with your family and friends. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), you should have your chimney professionally swept and inspected before you light the first fire of the year to ensure everything will work efficiently and safely. For over 25 years, Atlas Chimney has been providing top quality professional chimney maintenance services to the Austin area, and our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps are committed to making sure that you are completely satisfied with our work. To help you be ready for your appointment with us, we would like to share with you some tips to make the process go as smoothly as possible.

Prepare your hearth area.

The first thing that Atlas Chimney will do during your sweeping appointment is to protect the area around your fireplace by laying down drop cloths. This will help to keep your home clean while we are sweeping your chimney. Since we will need to bring equipment into your home, we do ask that you move all furniture and any other item from the area that surrounds your hearth before we arrive at your home. We will typically need about seven feet of clearance space around your fireplace. We also recommend that you secure all breakable items to prevent a possible accident.

Make sure your fireplace or stove is completely cool.

Safety is our top priority, which is why that Atlas Chimney asks that you do not light a fire in your fireplace or stove for at least 24 hours before your appointment time. A cool chimney and fireplace system will keep our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps out of harm’s way, and we appreciate your attention to this safety request. We also recommend that you check to see if you need to remove any ashes from your fireplace or stove before the day of your appointment.

Ask questions.

We do require that you be at home during your chimney sweeping appointment with Atlas Chimney, and we invite you to watch us work. We love to help our customers better understand their chimney systems, and our professionals are happy to answer any questions you may have. You can count on us to teach you the best practices to use when operating your fireplace or stove.

Atlas Chimney wants you and your family to safely enjoy warm, cozy fires this winter. Contact us today to schedule your annual chimney maintenance appointment with our CSIA-certified professionals.

Fireplace and Chimney Tips When Buying a Home

For homebuyers, a fireplace can be one of the most important features in a new home. Many people will not even consider a new home without a fireplace. However, it is very important to be sure the chimney and fireplace system works safely and efficiently before you sign the contract to buy the home. While there are certain things you can look out for, you need a professional chimney inspection to be absolutely certain the system has no hidden dangers. In fact, modern fire safety codes from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) require that a Level 2 chimney inspection take place for real estate transactions. Atlas Chimney has years of experience in providing all three of the NFPA’s levels of chimney inspections, and we can check out the chimney in any house you wish to buy. You can trust us to give you an honest assessment of the condition of the chimney and fireplace. We would like to tell you some other things you should be on the lookout for when you are shopping for a new home.

Fireplace and Chimney Tips When Buying a New Home- Austin TX - Atlas Chimney

Check out the firebox.

One of the parts of a fireplace and chimney system that you can closely examine is the firebox, or the interior of the fireplace. According to HouseLogic, you should be looking for any cracks, gaps, or other signs of wear in the firebox’s lining. If the steel body of the firebox is visible through any part of the lining, you will need Atlas Chimney to professionally repair the firebox to prevent excessive heat from causing damage to the home.

Look for smoke stains.

If you see smoke stains on the ceiling of the room where the fireplace is, there could be cracks or gaps between the hearth and the firebox that are allowing smoke to escape. This is a common problem in older homes caused by the hearth settling. You may also find smoke stains above the fireplace opening, which is a sign of a damaged damper. Atlas Chimney can easily solve both of these problems.

Notice the size of the fireplace grate.

You do not want a grate that is more than two-thirds of the size of the fireplace opening. Why does the size of the fireplace grate matter? If your grate is too large, you may add too much wood to the fireplace, which will cause oversized fires that can overheat the fireplace. This problem is easily solved by replacing the grate with a smaller one.

The most important thing to ensure the fireplace and chimney system in a new home is safe is to schedule a professional chimney inspection. Contact us at Atlas Chimney to arrange an appointment today.

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