What I do as a chimney sweep.

Chimney Sweeping as a Trade goes back to the victorion age.

Of course our equipment and techniques have greatly improved in the last decades to be more efficient and effective.

• Chimney sweeping is necessary to remove combustible deposits that build up over time from the burning of fuels like wood, that leave behind creosote deposits that can cause a 'Chimney Fire'. Other fuels like coal, fuel oil or propane leave behind different types of deposits, but wood burning is our most concern as I specialize in fireplaces and the many configurations and problems that they may suffer from.

• Chimney Fires occur when creosote deposits catch fire out side of the fire box or appliances fire chamber where the fire is intended to burn. A fire in a masonry chimney can cause the most damage because of the nature of flue liners that are typical of most masonry chimneys, and CAN NOT expand evenly through out the thickness of the liner due to rapid rise in temperature and uneven expansion.

• Once a clay type masonry flue is damage beyond its ability to contain the by products of combustion it must be replaced with a suitable materials that can perform as intended.

• The only way to insure that your fireplace or wood burning heater is in suitable condition for continued use is to have the chimney and flue liner swept out and a closed circuit video camera used to inspect the flue lining for possible defects.

• Some of the defects that are found are cracks in the flue lining, eroded mortar joints between sections of the flue lining: Softening or spalling of the flue tiles. Once damage is noted the system should no longer be used until corrective repairs are made to restore it to perform as intended by a qualified chimney professional that is licensed by the state.

• Sometimes an insert for burning wood or gas can be retrofitted in the fireplace to restore the system and to increase its efficiency as a heating system. Open fireplaces are intended as an occasional use decorative fireplace and are not efficient heaters.

• We also install Chimney Caps to prevent entry of external elements like rain/snow, nesting birds and animals.

• Damper repair or replacements to prevent heat and AC loss and down draft issues.

• Treatments to prevent absorption of moisture through porous masonry surfaces.

• Consulting service .