Auburn, Alabama

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Sootaway’s Expert Chimney and Fireplace Services

Chimney Sweep Auburn, Alabama

Sootaway chimney sweep Auburn knows that fireplaces and chimneys are very important to maintain. As one of the riskiest areas of the home, when not properly maintained, fireplaces can become very dangerous. With that being said, if you own a fireplace, you should consider getting your chimney cleaned by a professional chimney sweep team. Professional chimney sweeps can help minimize the risks of owning a fireplace and ensure your chimney is properly maintained. The Sootaway team consists of experienced chimney sweeps serving Auburn, Alabama. We help our clients feel secure with their fireplace so they can enjoy it anytime they want. Before discussing the benefits of our services, let’s cover what chimney sweeps do.

What is a Chimney Sweep?

A chimney sweep is a professional chimney technician who ensures homes are safe to use their fireplaces. Since the 1700s, fireplace owners have known cleaning their chimneys is a risky task. Homeowners would seek the help of young boys who would climb up their chimney to clean each brick and tile in the interior. Thankfully, commercial-grade equipment has taken that job away from children. Despite people knowing for over 300 years that chimney cleaning is very important, many people neglect to do this task, or they attempt to do it themselves.

Chimney sweeps are highly trained workers who have the proper equipment to clean chimneys thoroughly. Most homeowners do not have the necessary tools to get up and inside the chimney. To reach the entire chimney a pro needs the proper tools. A professional chimney sweep will use extendable brushes, specialized cleaning agents, and even cameras to ensure your chimney is completely clean. With that being said, hiring professional chimney sweep Auburn, such as those at Sootaway, has a multitude of benefits.

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Chimney Fire Prevention Tips

Use Proper Fuel

Make sure the wood is seasoned and when choosing a type of wood, go for a hardwood like oak, maple, or ash. A few logs of greenwood can build creosote thick enough to start a chimney fire.

Proper Installation

Your wood stove or furnace must be installed properly and by a professional. This is to ensure there is proper distance between the flammable parts and the non-combustible parts of the heating system. A wood stove’s chimney must be brick-made (masonry) and factory-built. A single bricked chimney with no liner must never be used for a wood stove.

Chimney Cleaning

Get a professional chimney sweep to inspect your chimney at least annually. This should be even more frequent if the fireplace is lit regularly.

Use Smoke Detectors

With the help of smoke detectors, troubleshoot and take action immediately any time smoke is detected indoors. The smoke is most likely a result of a dirty chimney full of debris like dead leaves, twigs, soot, or creosote buildup that have resulted in chimney flue blockage. Other causes include soft or wet wood that has not burned completely or a damper that is not fully opened.

Dangers of Creosote

Unfortunately, creosote is an unavoidable side effect of using your wood-burning fireplace. Creosote is a type of residue that results from burning wood. Creosote sticks to the walls of your chimney, and excessive buildup can lead to hazards such as odors in the home or chimney fires. Because creosote is the leading cause of chimney fires, the National Fire Protection Association recommends having your chimney annually. Your Sootaway chimney sweeps are experienced in cleaning chimneys and removing creosote and are happy to assist you.

Happy Customers

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Happy Customers

“Sootaway came out and used some spray to waterproof my chimney. Even gave me a 10 yr warranty in case we did start seeing leaks but reassured me that it would not be a problem again. I really appreciate knowing I don’t have to worry about my chimney for a long time.”

“I liked that this business called me ahead of time to verify my appointment, I almost forgot about it. Additionally, they laid down a cloth so that my carpet would stay clean. I liked the extra care they took during the whole process.”

“The back wall of my fireplace was heavily cracked. I wasn’t sure if this would cause other problems or not but I called just in case. They said they could replace it with a new one for a very reasonable price. Everything went smoothly and my fireplace is no longer cracked!”

Read Our Blog

Leaking!!!

by Patrick Buell | June 17, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

If you live along the Gulf Coast you know that we get a lot of rain. In fact, we get more rain than anyplace in the country. Rain is a big deal when it comes to fireplaces and chimneys. Fireplaces, Chimneys, and Leaks In basic terms, the problem with fireplace and chimney leakage is that water combines with the creosote that remains from fires to form an acidic mixture. Over time that mixture can eat out the silica in the mortar joints. Once the joints are no longer secure, moisture -- remember all that Gulf Coast rain -- can get into the house through the chimney. For example, if water comes in through the chimney and is released under the shingles it can lead to the need for a roof replacement. Also, without proper sealing, heat from fires can travel into areas that should not be exposed to heat, dry out the wood, and in some cases actually cause the wood to catch on fire. In fact, according to a staff report by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are about 22,000...

Things to Consider When Hiring a Chimney Sweeper

by Patrick Buell | January 28, 2019 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Before the cool, crisp days of autumn make your evenings in front of the fireplace relaxed and irresistible, take time to make sure your fireplace is as safe as it is inviting. Get your chimney inspected and cleaned, ideally in late spring or early summer season when the summer season is over. That way, you will have sufficient time to schedule any repairs you need. A 2016 file from the National Fire Protection Association states that the main factor contributing to home fires is the failure to clean chimneys on time. Chimney cleaning is usually a DIY chore, so it’s better to hire a trained professional Chimney Sweep to perform this job. That’s because cleaning and inspecting chimneys include more than simply cleaning soot. Therefore, most people prefer to hire professional chimney sweeper with the right skills for this task. Get a Chimney Sweeper with Reputation To find a reputable chimney sweep, ask friends for referrals. You can also find some good sweeps in the business section...

pickup truck hauling firewood in an open field

5 Ways to Use Leftover Firewood from Winter

by Patrick Buell | March 26, 2021 | Blogs | 0 Comments

The last cold, dreary days of winter are finally making way for bright and warm spring days. As you’re getting ready to retire your fireplace for the season, you might notice you didn’t get around to using all of your winter firewood. If you’re wondering what to do with that leftover firewood, look no further than this post. Here are 5 super simple ways to make sure that firewood doesn’t go to waste. Bring Leftover Firewood for Campfires Camping is a fun family activity to enjoy during the beautiful weather. If you’ve got plans to go out and enjoy what nature has to offer, consider packing some of that leftover firewood. Bringing wood with you can help you save money since you won’t have to purchase it at the campsite. Also, it cuts out the need to gather kindling, giving you more time to spend with your friends and family around a cozy campfire. Keep in mind, though, that some campsites have policies against bringing in outside firewood. This is to protect the area from invasive...

Do you have Chimney Damage from Hurricane Sally?

by Patrick Buell | September 22, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

We all know the damages leftover from hurricanes and flooding. Tropical storms and hurricanes bring high winds that can tear up chimney flashing, chimney caps, and chimney crowns and influence the bricks to chip. While stacks are normally sufficiently able to withstand the awful climate, they additionally have higher exposure to them. Strong winds joined with a hefty downpour, and debris made both surface and basic harm to structures including rooftops and chimneys. Along with bringing down trees and powerlines, strong storms often damage chimneys. Sitting at the top of the roof, the chimney is especially vulnerable to damage from heavy rain and high winds. We have even seen chimneys that were struck by lightning. The severe wind combined with the saturated ground can cause a chimney to rotate away from a building where the chimney and roof meet. After a storm has passed, you may not be sure whether the stack needs to be fixed or not. In the event that you haven't had a chimney...

Five Proper Ways of Cleaning your Chimney

by Patrick Buell | January 4, 2019 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Chimneys should be cleaned at least once a year or more preferably in the winter. You can do it with the help of professionals or can do it by yourself as well. You can get help regarding the chimney cleaning from different websites or the professionals. Get the help and review the different ways of cleaning so you can handle things better. There are some steps must be done to guarantee a successful cleaning process. Chimney Cleaning Preparation To prepare your chimney for cleaning first follow these steps for pre-preparation. In this way, you can make your chimneys clean in the best manner. Examine With a flashlight and using a pencil for scraping off, examine creosote accumulation on the side of the chimney. If accumulation is 1/8-inch thick, it's time for a cleaning. Check the chimney for animals. Therefore proper examine of chimney cleaning is necessary. Take Measurements Measure the sides of the chimney from the bottom and the top. Determine the size and shape of the flue and...

Prefabricated vs Masonry Chimney

by Sean Foster | July 27, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

The biggest difference between masonry fireplaces and prefabricated is the price. Masonry almost always is more expensive than prefabricated. The inflated price in comparison is because masonry requires it to be built on-site, versus being assembled. Masonry will become a part of the home's design, so it is usually built while the home is still being constructed. An experienced mason who properly builds a fireplace can make it last much longer than a prefabricated fireplace. Bricks and mortar joints will deteriorate over time, but if annual inspections and regular maintenance are carried out, you should not have a problem in getting this fixed. Masonry is made from brick, which is a porous material. Prefabs are made from stainless steel and metal, so they are less susceptible to rain and water damage. Brick chimney systems are more prone to water damage, and leaks are common. It is important to have water-repellant solutions installed in your home to prevent this from happening. A...

Proudly Serving The Gulf Coast Area!

by Patrick Buell | October 4, 2017 | Blogs | 0 Comments

At Sootmaster Chimney Sweep, we strive to provide top-quality chimney services throughout the area. We want to ensure our customer base is impressed with our professionalism and honesty. In addition, we take pride in keeping homes everywhere in top shape all year long. After all, these are places that have a lot to offer! Proudly Serving The Gulf Area Image - Pensacola FL - Sootmaster Chimney Sweep If you’ve been out enjoying your day at Fairhope Pier, strolling along the Milton Riverwalk, hanging out with family and friends at Gulf Islands National Seashore, or engaging in any of the countless entertainment, dining, and shopping opportunities throughout our service area, then you deserve the best place to relax in when you end your day. Contact us now, so you can rest easy knowing your fireplace is in the best hands possible! If you live in or around Milton, Gulf Breeze, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola, Mobile, Destin, Navarre, Shalimar, Niceville, Fairhope, Crestview, or Spanish Fort,...

The Menace of Leaks

by Patrick Buell | September 4, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Recently noticed water around your fireplace, chimney, or surrounding area? You probably have a leaking chimney on your hands, which can be a bump in the road for you and the comfort of your home and everyday life. However, A leaking chimney does not always manifest itself in obvious ways. Many homeowners falsely assume that all leaky chimneys present themselves as visible water in the fireplace or flue, but chimney leaks can originate from a few different places. If you have seen splits or cracks in your chimney, disintegrated mortar joints, and damaged stonework, it is likely that moisture is entering into the chimney. One of the most widely recognized causes for leaks is the flashing. Flashing is the area in which the metal sheets around the chimney and roof meet and is intended to be introduced in defensive layers. The spot in the rooftop where the fireplace leaves the house is one of the weakest zones with regards to water damage, and if the flashing is not carrying out its...

The Importance of Chimney Sweeping

by Patrick Buell | May 22, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

People often put off getting in touch with their trusted chimney sweeper, because they don’t want to spend the money. The truth is, the cost of hiring the chimney sweeper you prefer every year, will save you money on your heating bill, and having a clean chimney will allow your fires to last longer. You will also decrease the chances of a chimney fire, which can cause severe damage to your home. Most people with fireplaces don’t think about the importance of the chimney sweeper they hire. Many people also neglect the need to get your chimney cleaned once a year before the winter months. Here are only a few reasons why the chimney sweeper is so important. To Remove Creosote Buildups As you may be aware, it is mandatory to get your chimney inspected for creosote and soot build up from time to time. When there is a large amount of creosote buildup, it may cause an uncontrolled and unwanted fire. Creosote is a tar-like chemical that builds up when the wood in your fireplace is burning....

The Little Critters

by Patrick Buell | May 28, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Your chimney is a beautiful structure that is an important feature in your home. But it is also a great feature in the lives of little invaders.Here is some important information regarding these critters and how to keep them out of your home! It's important to make sure that your home is safe from little invaders. Chimney SwiftsChimney Swifts are small birds commonly found in chimneys. They are unable to perch and therefore must cling to vertical surfaces. Chimney swifts are Federally Protected Migratory Bird, therefore there are limitations on what we can do to remove this bird. Give us a call to find out more!BatsIn a sense, chimneys are like a cave. Therefore, chimneys tend to be a prime habitat for migrating bats. When bats make a home in your chimney, they generally are going to be somewhere higher which makes them a challenge to remove. Give us a call to find out how we can remove your bat problems.SquirrelsLike for bats, chimneys are a great little home for squirrels. Most...

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