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

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...

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...

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...

Prefab fireplace Installation in D'Iberville

What type of mortar should I use?

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

Contrary to popular belief, there's not just one type of mortar for chimneys. The most common type (as well as the tone of the oldest) being fireclay mortar which is a normal cement mortar mixed with dried organic material. Followed up in popularity by a refractory mortar that takes the old firebrick motor and adds calcium aluminate and sand. This makes it last longer as well as being able to stand higher temperatures. Any new chimney build uses refractory mortar, the question then stands which refractory motor would you use, hydraulic setting mortar or air-drying mortar? Refractory Mortar Hydraulic-Setting Thought to be the best type of refractory motor, with its many benefits such as acid resistance, and water insolubility its the only one thing recommended for setting flue liners. Its acid resistance makes creosote easier to get off in the flue pipe and increases the life of your chimney. Air-Drying Mortar Air drying mortar is recommended for interior use (especially in hot...

Why You Should Pick and Hire the Best Chimney Cleaner

by Patrick Buell | May 20, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

With the cold season quickly approaching, the warmth that comes with cozying up with family or friends near a rustic fire is irresistible. This relaxation is probably the best part of winter. But before you pile wood onto that fireplace and strike that lighter, it is important to ensure that your chimney is clean and ready. The guarantee of a thorough cleaning service only comes with hiring the best chimney cleaner. Here are some reasons why you should hire a certified chimney cleaner, that will give you the best results. A Clean Chimney Ensures Safety When cleaning a fireplace, special attention should be given to the flue and the base of the fireplace where you build the actual fire. The flue is probably the most important because it acts as the fireplace exhaust system. Having the flue professionally cleaned is essential to keeping your family safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. If your chimney is not properly vented, the levels of carbon monoxide in your home may rise, thus...

How To Prepare for a Major Storm

by Patrick Buell | September 3, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

When a major storm hits your area, you may encounter some structural damage in your home, including to your chimney. While chimneys are normally able to withstand the elements, they are not indestructible. The fierce winds, heavy rain, and flying debris associated with hurricanes can cause both surface and structural damage to chimneys, and the full degree of the wreck can be hard to observe with an undeveloped eye or without exceptional hardware. Chimney damage is not always simple to identify. In the event that we don't know what precisely to pay attention to, in any case, basic issues may appear straightforward corrective deformities. Indications of tempest harm to a workmanship smokestack may incorporate block pieces or full blocks lying on the ground or on the rooftop, new breaks in the fireplace, or smothered areas of the stack. Harm to mortar joints among stonework and fireplace, broken or debilitated liners, tops, crowns, or potentially brickwork are normal issues. Rooftop...

Chimney Fires, How Dangerous are they?

by Patrick Buell | January 2, 2019 | Blogs | 0 Comments

The chimney represents architectural addition to the home, but its actual function is to carry out gases from the fireplace or woodstove. Chimney fires are a serious problem, can still occur even with careful measures. That is why annual chimney repair and cleanings are critical for home maintenance. Therefore, people look for professional guidance for the maintenance of their chimneys. Causes of Chimney Fires The leading cause of a chimney fire is creosote. It builds up due to a restricted air supply, cool chimney temperatures, and unseasoned wood. In the presence of high flue temperature, the result could be chimney fires. Also, chimney fires happen due to precipitates of carbon and dust in the chimney. Structural or liner problems can allow high temperatures and sparks to escape to combustible areas in walls or roofs. These are the main reasons behind chimney fires. How to Identify a Chimney Fire? There are some ways to identify chimney fires so you can avoid the dangers of it and...

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...

At Home Cleaning Tips for Your Chimney

by Patrick Buell | January 6, 2021 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Being a homeowner is a huge deal. One should have pride especially if their home has a working fireplace and chimney. Purchasing a home with a fireplace, it is important to maintain the functionality. It is important to not just enjoy it to the fullest in the cold months but also to be economical, efficient as well as health-conscious. A well-cleaned out fireplace and chimney will burn less wood, produce less smoke, and ensure you and your family to breathe easier. Let's look at some basic steps that you can perform D.I.Y chimney cleaning. D.I.Y. Chimney Cleaning Guide Proper Cleaning Equipment Bare Essentials Eye protection Breathing masks Protective gloves Rugged clothes Set of chimney sweeping tools **Make sure these are clean and dry before you begin or you just might end up making things worse** 2. Designated Cleaning Area Regardless if you're cleaning the fireplace or chimney, you will have to deal with dust. To protect the living room, cover the fireplace with high-quality...

Why Install a Chimney Cap Even if You Don’t Use Your Fireplace

by Patrick Buell | May 29, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Even if you only use your fireplace as part of your decor, the chimney still needs a cap. Many homeowners assume that they don’t need to worry about their chimney if they never light up a fire in their hearth. This isn’t true. Leaving your chimney without a cap puts your home at risk of unpleasant pests, expensive damage and toxic mold. There are 4 reasons why every chimney needs a cap: 1. Keep Pests Out of the Chimney Many animals—from squirrels and raccoons to birds and bats—love to nest in chimneys since they look like safe, dark spaces. No matter how much you like woodland creatures, it is not a good idea to let them live in your chimney. They can bring diseases and other pests or cause damage. Bats and squirrels are well known for getting into homes through the chimney. One squirrel can cause thousands of dollars in damage by chewing on walls, furniture and linens. Many critters get trapped and die in chimneys. A rotting animal carcass can attract insects and rodents. It can...

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