How to Get Ready for a Visit from Your Chimney Sweep

A professional, certified chimney sweep is your best friend when it comes to keeping your chimney safe and fully operational. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends once-a-year chimney cleaning for homes that have a wood fireplace or other wood-burning appliance connected to their chimneys. When preparing for a chimney sweep, there are a few things you can do to get the most out of the visit, make the job go more smoothly and save yourself a lot of hassle and mess. Follow these guidelines.

Clear the area

Your chimney sweep will appreciate clear access to your fireplace. Move furniture and rugs away from the work area, clean off the mantel and make a clear path for the tech and his or her equipment from the door to the fireplace. This preparation will help to safeguard valuable items.

Make sure the fireplace is cool

It’s a good idea to avoid burning a fire in the fireplace for 12 or more hours prior to your chimney sweep’s visit. After this length of time, on the day of the visit, you can scoop out ashes and wood chips, remove the grate and vacuum the firebox. Remember – your chimney service person isn’t there to remove ashes and partially burned logs from your fireplace, so make the job smoother by taking care of that yourself.

Cover furniture and other nearby items

Chimney sweeps use vacuums and shields to minimize the chances of ash dust blowing around during the cleaning process, but it never hurts to take extra precautions. Use drop cloths or blankets to cover any furnishings or items in the general area of the fireplace. These types of coverings also can be placed over nearby draperies, curtains, framed paintings and lighting.

Find a place for pets

Your dog may love company and want nothing more than to frolic and socialize with visitors, but your chimney sweep has other priorities. Before the technician arrives, find a safe, secure place to house all mobile pets until the work is finished. Chimney service work and animals don’t mix.

Prepare a list of questions

In the days leading up to your chimney sweep appointment, jot down questions you want to ask the technician. If there are things you want to know about how your fireplace or chimney operates, different types of repairs that may be necessary, the chimney inspection process and other particulars, your chimney sweep is the best person to fill you in.

Annual chimney sweeping by a CSIA-certified chimney technician is the best way to keep your chimney, home and family safe. Chimney cleaning involves removing from the flue flammable creosote as well as anything that could cause draft obstructions such as tree debris and the nests of small animals who enjoy making homes in chimneys.

Hudson Valley Chimney of Poughkeepsie, NY, is ready to help with all your chimney sweep, chimney repair and chimney inspection needs. Give us a call at (845) 471-1071 and let us tell you why we’re the best choice for the job.