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

Chimney leaks

by Patrick Buell | December 14, 2018 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Fall is a great time to get the fireplace ready for winter. Attending to those irritating chimney leaks is the best place to start. As this is not an area of the home which sees a lot of traffic or that gets used very often, chimneys require a thorough maintenance check once a year. Considering that a chimney leak could have numerous causes, it is helpful to understand the root of these problems. Faulty Chimney Flashing The part where the chimney and the roof of your house meet is sealed off with flashing. This material can be aluminium, steel copper or PVC. Each one is suitable for different climates, geographical areas and also for different classes of construction. The most popular form of flashing is aluminium, which can last more than 20 years in some cases. However, over time this material will start to deteriorate, and gaps will appear between the brickwork of the chimney and the actual flashing material. A chimney leak can be fixed by attending to damaged flashing. It is best...

Maximum Safety

by Patrick Buell | May 21, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Back in 1974, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a series of 12 fireplace and chimney safety tips, common-sense suggestions which continue to have value. More than 40 years later, they are still valuable today. 1. Be sure the fireplace was constructed for actual use, not just for decoration. Inspect it to be sure that it has adequate protective linings, smoke ducts and that the chimney is clear and in good repair. 2. If installing a factory-made fireplace, insure that it is not near any combustible materials and has adequate flame and heat barriers. 3. Open the damper before lighting the fire and keep it open until the ashes are cool. This will avert the build-up of poisonous gases, especially while your family is sleeping. 4. Never use gasoline, charcoal lighter or other fuel to light or relight a fire because the vapors can explode. Never keep flammable fuels near a fire as vapors can travel the length of a room and explode. 5. Do not use coal or charcoal in a fireplace...

Chimney Flue Operational Tips

by Patrick Buell | September 21, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

A chimney with a flue is a significant advantage for any home. It takes into consideration the comfortable solace of a warm hearth and fire for most homes. If you are a homeowner with a flue, count yourself lucky for good reasons. The delight of a working chimney with loved ones is best in class. WHAT'S A CHIMNEY FLUE? Think about a chimney flue as an exhaust pipe that transports smoke and ignition items securely outside. Fumes drafts up your smokestack since it is warm and light, completing it up and off your fireplace utilizing the head of the stack impact. DRAFTING Although many people do not understand it, the air climbing your smokestack works under similar arrangement of physical standards as water streaming in a hose or line. At the point when a chimney smokestack is full of hot air, it gets air through the firebox. This pulling impact is called draft and it compares to the measure of weight in a water hose - the main contrast is that the pneumatic force is negative and the...

Cleaning Your Fireplace: A Step-by-Step Guide

by Patrick Buell | March 19, 2021 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Many of us love the beautiful glow and soothing crackle of a fire. The fireplace is a warm, inviting feature in many homes. But just like any other part of the home, the fireplace should be regularly cleaned and maintained. Keeping your fireplace clean helps reduce buildup of ash and soot, and keeps it looking beautiful. Whether you have a gas, electric, or wood burning fireplace, this guide has everything you need to know about how to properly clean your fireplace. Cleaning a Gas Firepalce Gas fireplaces are used by many homeowners. They have many of the same perks as wood burning fireplaces, minus the hassle of soot and ash. But just like most appliances in the home, they do need to be cleaned from time to time. Gas fireplaces can accumulate dirt and dust. The fireplace doors can also become foggy due to the chemicals found in natural gas. Follow these steps to clean your gas fireplace: Before you start cleaning, turn off the gas valve and wait for the burners to cool...

Tips From a Chimney Cleaning Service on Firewood Storage

by Patrick Buell | December 14, 2018 | Blogs | 0 Comments

There are many different aspects of keeping your chimney clean and safe, and using wood that has been handled correctly is one of them. Building a fire in your home’s fireplace is not the same as creating a campfire. You can't just wander around the woods, gather any wood you see and dump it in the fire. Because you're building a fire in your home, a lot more thought and care need to go into this process. You need wood that won’t let out too much smoke and fumes so your chimney can handle them without becoming too dirty or damaged. For this reason, you need to choose the right wood, take care of it, and handle it correctly, to keep your chimney safe. Properly Stored Wood Helps Cut Down Chimney Cleaning Service Costs Unseasoned wood, or wood that is wet and has not been dried for six to twelve months, puts your home in danger and makes your fireplace chimney get dirty much quicker. Wet wood lets out too much moisture when it burns, which will give you a smokier fire which is generally...

The Role of a Chimney Cleaning Contractor’s in a Chimney Sweep

by Patrick Buell | February 18, 2019 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Chimneys have a very important part in the fireplace’s function, which is why it’s very important to keep an eye on the health and cleanliness of your chimney. Keeping up with the maintenance of your chimney is much less expensive than doing repairs that could have been avoided. Chimneys should be inspected at least once a year by professional chimney cleaning contractors. Chimney cleaning contractors not only provide us with their professional chimney cleaning services, but they also make sure that your chimney is not at risk of a fire. So, get their help and get professional services for your house and chimney’s safety. Chimney Sweep by Chimney Cleaning Contractors Chimney sweeping is best after the colder seasons end, in the spring, because deposits of creosote and soot are dry and easy to remove. The sweeping process addresses many aspects, but the removal of deposits and debris are the most time-consuming steps. Other types of debris found in chimneys will require sweeping and...

What You Didn’t Clean During Quarantine

by Sean Foster | July 23, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, many people are using their spare time at the house to knock out their errands that usually do not get done. Have you changed the water filter in your fridge? Did you forget to clean out your dryer vent? When is the last time your driveway got pressure washed? Cleaning may seem insignificant, but we need to do it regardless! Let us add one to your list, which is arguably one of the most important. Do you know if a Chimney Sweep has cleaned and inspected your chimney? A chimney sweep is a perfect chore to have someone else, like a chimney sweep, do! Chimney sweeping is tedious, dirty, and dangerous. Our technicians have years of experience with equipment and working on roofs to carry out necessary chimney sweeps. Why do we need chimney sweeps? A chimney sweep inspection is recommended at least once a year. The inspection allows a chimney sweep to notice if there is a chimney leak, animals inside the chimney, or any other issues that may affect the home...

Helpful Chimney Terms

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

When conversing with an expert in any field can be scary particularly if you do not comprehend the phrasing being utilized. Your chimney and fireplace framework comprises of various segments that cooperate to give you warm and comfortable fires. There are a wide range of words or terms that chimney sweeps frequently use and When something goes wrong with your chimney, it is especially useful to know the names of those components. There are a couple of key terms that may be talked about. Look at the most significant chimney/fireplace terms beneath! Ash - The white/grey powdery buildup left when flammable material is completely scorched or is oxidized by compound methods. Ash Dump - An opening at the base of the chimney through which ashes may be dumped. Ash Pit - Storage for ashes, situated in the fireplace base B Vent - factory-built, double wall metal pipe for venting gas apparatuses with draft hoods and different appliances listed for use with Type B Gas Vent. Blower - An electric,...

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 Levels of Inspections for Chimneys

by Patrick Buell | January 25, 2019 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Chimney has become part of our winter’s life. There is always a need to burn the fire and get some warmness in the house. The chimney can only warm our house efficiently and properly if it is maintained well. So, chimney sweeping and chimney inspection must be done at least once a year or more frequently. It cannot only increase the efficiency of our chimney but also make your life easier and more comfortable too. An annual chimney inspection search for creosote buildup and blockages. Inspection is followed by sweeping to remove hazards that inhibits the performance of chimney. Most chimney sweeps offer 3 levels of service. So, you can follow these steps and can increase the efficiency and safety of your chimney according to your needs and budget. Level 1 of Chimney Inspection In first level of chimney inspection, chimney sweeps visually checks the chimney for superficial defects with a flashlight. Level 1 looks for damage, obstructions, creosote buildup and informs you if the...

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