Should Cost Determine which Chimney Company to Hire?
When searching for a chimney company, it’s important to be aware that chimney sweeping is an unregulated industry. A company that offers a huge discount may also be scamming homeowners into believing they are paying for viable chimney services. Our chimney experts at Hudson Valley Chimney Service Inc. are certified and trained, and you can rely on them to give you peace of mind that your family can safely use your fireplace or wood stove. Disreputable companies often pressure homeowners into paying for expensive repairs that aren’t even needed, and then work is done that does more damage than good. Searching for a fair price is fine, as long as you also do a little research to establish that the company you are hiring is legitimate.
What value is there in a CSIA-certified chimney sweep company?
When you are sure to hire a company with Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified technicians, you get numerous benefits. First, you are assured that the chimney experts working on your chimney and fireplace or wood stove have been educated and trained and have passed a certification exam. Such experts are familiar with local building codes governing chimneys and fireplaces. In addition, they are bound to abide by a professional code of conduct in accordance with best industry practices.
The answer is in the details
You are allowing someone into your home, when you schedule chimney services. Check references and notice small things, such as whether there is a marked company vehicle that clearly identifies the work being done. The technicians should also wear uniforms with the name of the chimney company clearly displayed. Do a little research and make sure the company you hire for chimney services carries their own insurance.
How serious can chimney services be?
We like to get the word out to homeowners that fireplaces, chimneys, and wood stoves are associated with many deadly fires every year. The National Fire Protection Association released a report in 2016 which showed that 16% of home fires and 19% of home fire fatalities between 2009 and 2013 were caused by home heating equipment. A full 30% of those fires were caused by failure to properly clean and maintain equipment, primarily chimneys.
Issues identified in a chimney inspection
If you have a chimney inspection that’s conducted by experts like our chimney technicians at Hudson, you can be confident that essential issues are identified. For instance, we use video cameras in certain types of inspections, to make sure the chimney flue is free of damage. When a chimney lining has even the smallest crack, the home is exposed to a very real possibility of a dangerous chimney fire. In addition, creosote buildup needs to be removed routinely. According to the CSIA, when at least 1/8” of soot and creosote has formed on the chimney lining, it’s time to clean the chimney. If creosote continues to build up, several hazardous developments occur. First, creosote can take on three different forms, with each more dangerous than the previous. Secondly, the chances of having a chimney fire are greatly increased if creosote hasn’t been removed due to the fact that it is highly flammable and can set off a chimney fire. In addition, creosote can obstruct the chimney and cause toxic gases to enter the home instead of going outside through the chimney.
Hire a qualified chimney company
All that being said, it can be a terrible mistake to hire a chimney company based on nothing more than savings at the point of inspection or cleaning. By hiring proven professionals, you can gain peace of mind and assurance that using your fireplace or wood stove is safe. Call us at (845) 471-1071 and long distance it’s (800) 439-1071.
