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

Don’t Let A Smoky Fireplace Ruin Your Holiday Season

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

Fireplaces add a festive mood to any holiday gathering, and the warm and cozy atmosphere they extend simply cannot be beaten. Unfortunately, this pleasing aesthetic can be ruined in a hurry when things malfunction and smoke starts pouring back out into your living space. A lot of things can cause smoking issues, such as rusted dampers, burning unseasoned wood, creosote buildup, and hindered airflow. But today, we’re here to talk about something else – we’re going to focus on the smoke chamber. A well-built and proper-functioning smoke chamber can make all the difference when it comes to smoking issues, and we’re here to keep our customers educated as to why this is. Contact us today if you’re having any problems with your fireplace. We can set you up right before the holiday season arrives! What Is A Smoke Chamber? The smoke chamber is the part of your chimney that connects the flue and the firebox opening, and it helps control drafting throughout your system. It aids in sending the...

Conducting a Effective Chimney Flue Cleaning

by Patrick Buell | March 19, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

The flue system is a combination of many parts that work together to provide ventilation for a fire. For the chimney system to perform its venting role properly, the components should be installed correctly and maintained regularly. This means that homeowners should schedule routine chimney sweeps, and annual inspections to have the safest and most efficient chimney system. The SOOTAWAY Chimney Flue Cleaning Process The flue is the actual vent that the smoke from the fire flows through. It goes from the fireplace to the top of the chimney where a chimney cap protects it. The flue should be lined with a flue liner that protects the masonry from corrosion, protects the home from hazardous gases, and prevents heat transfer. The flue liner surface should be smooth, and the joints should be strengthened with a high heat sealant. The flue leads exhaust gases and remains from the fireplace upward, to escape into the atmosphere. The flue is sufficient because it uses the stack effect that...

Chimney Sweep: The Importance of Chimney Flashing

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

A chimney has many parts that must be in the proper order to ensure optimum efficiency as well as your family’s and property’s safety. As any well-educated chimney sweep will tell you, there’s the smoke chamber which serves to guide smoke and noxious gases out of the fireplace and into the flue; which then guides the smoke up and out of the house into the open. Then you have the damper that you must not forget to open when lighting a fire and close when the chimney is not in use. Lastly, there is the chimney flashing. For those who live in areas prone to harsh weather like storms, chimney flashing is the best defense as long as it is solid and secure. A missing or damaged chimney flashing can only be noticed and fixed by a professional chimney sweep, and that is why annual inspection is crucial. What is Chimney Flashing? Chimney flashing is the sheet metal installed for the purpose of ensuring that the connection between the chimney and roof is watertight. It seals the space between...

How Chimney Soot Remover Can Save Your Home

by Patrick Buell | May 18, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Homeowners can come into contact with toxic soot through their chimney. Soot is found in areas like chimney fireplaces, engine exhaust, and basement furnaces. Therefore, there is a severe need of keeping your house saves with the chimney soot remover. So, understand the problems and risks you can avoid by using a chimney soot remover. What is Chimney Soot and Why Does It Need a Chimney Soot Remover? Soot is fine, black contaminant resulting from incomplete combustion of substances, like wood, coal, and oils. In the chimney, it develops when wood does not burn enough, especially when the wood is wet or if the air is limited. This soot sticks to the chimneys or skipping into the air. Therefore, a chimney soot remover becomes necessary in such conditions. Soot contains sulphurous compounds, nitrates, lead, formaldehyde, and cyanide. Also, contains polycyclic hydrocarbons like benzene, xanthene, and toluene. These compounds are referred to as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Risk...

Hurricane Season

by Patrick Buell | June 2, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Hurricane season is upon us and most who live near the coast know what that means; major preparation and horrible damage.Hurricanes threaten lives and also cause thousands of dollars worth of property damage.Last year alone, 15 lives were taken by hurricanes (not within the United States). While that may seem insignificant, the fact still remains; hurricanes take lives.While it is most important to protect your life, your house needs to be taken care of as well.During strong weather and hurricanes, things and shall we say, critters, can enter your chimney. From squirrels and snakes, to even small debris, when hurricanes happen, your chimney can become clogged.It is important that prior to a hurricane, your chimney has a chimney cap to prevent strong winds from bringing things into your chimney.In the unfortunate event that your home is over taken in a hurricane, know this: We stand with you, and will do whatever we can to help you during the difficult time.

The Best Ways to Find a Chimney Sweep that is Local

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

Chimney sweeping is a challenging task, especially for those who don’t have any experience or profound knowledge of it. Sweeping needs to be done correctly because if not, dangerous fires could occur. There are numerous ways to find a local chimney sweep, and this article will help you do just that. If you have just moved into a new home, you will need to get your chimney cleaned as soon as possible. As the winter season approaches, fireplaces will become very helpful to heat up your home, so you will want to get yours cleaned sooner rather than later. There are a few ways you can begin the process of searching for a chimney sweep in your area. Here are some of the best ways to help shorten your search and find a certified and professional chimney sweep. Start with a Local Search Hiring a local chimney sweep that is well-known in your area will be the first move that you should make. Hiring a chimney sweep that is not well-established in your area could be a risky decision. Another...

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....

When is the best time to get your chimney swept?

by Patrick Buell | June 15, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Look, we get it. You're planning your summer vacation, working long hours to make that vacation a reality, and you're even working on some home improvement projects (looking at you Dad). The last thing that is on your mind is having your chimney serviced. It's summer. It's hot. The cold months are far away, especially for the south. So why is summer the best time to have your chimney swept? 1. You catch major problems earlyOne of the biggest things we hear in the chimney industry is 'Man, I wish I would've known sooner.' Summer is the perfect opportunity to have your chimney swept because it allows you to find major problems before winter hits and you need your chimney working properly. 2. Water Leaks Happen Mostly During the Summer. Major storms occur during the summer, and this can cause severe water damage to your chimney. We don't feel the need to belabor water damage, because we have an article on it HERE.3. Better AvailabilityAs winter nears, chimney sweeps become booked as...

Helpful Tips: Bird is NOT the Word

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

Do you hear the chirping of birds or flapping of wings in your chimney? It is more common than you think! There is even a type of species of birds that focus on nesting in chimneys! This home intruder, called a Chimney Swift can inhabit your chimney and build a nest inside. We can remove them for you through humane animal removal, but if it is during the breeding season of the Chimney Swift, you might have to wait! Chimney Swifts are migratory species of birds that fly from Peru to North America during their breeding season. The breeding season generally lasts until the end of the summer. This species of birds are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it against federal law to relocate their nests while they are active. Swifts are known for creating nests in chimneys- hence the name. These birds will create a nest within your chimney and lay eggs. The eggs will hatch, and baby swifts usually leave the nest about a month after hatching. Since the birds are...

My Chimney Is Leaking – Help!

by Patrick Buell | May 8, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Uh oh.Water is coming from somewhere, and it looks like the fireplace is the culprit! If you fear your chimney is leaking, it’s best to call in a professional chimney sweep right away to address any necessary repairs.The sooner you get it done, the less overall damage you’ll end up facing. Not to mention, your fireplace will thank you! Dangers & Damages Behind A Leak So, what happens when a leak continues to occur? Unresolved water issues are a serious problem when it comes to your masonry chimney. Brickwork may seem strong and impenetrable, but it’s more like a sponge than you may think! It easily soaks in any excess water your system is exposed to, which causes it to break down a lot quicker over time. You’re looking at a much weaker structure in the long run, and you’ll be forced to invest in costly and time-consuming repairs.Along with this, water exposer leads to a lot of issues throughout your chimney system. Rust, rot, stains, clogs, and cracks are just some of the many...

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