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

Tips: How to Use Fireplace Tools

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

Ever wondered what the fancy-looking set of instruments next to fire are? These are known as fireplace tools. They can be used as an ambiance factor by adding an aesthetic touch to your fireplace. These tools are also used to maintain the fire, making it easier for you to clean and control. A toolset typically comes with six different individual tools, each one has its own purpose. By using fireplace tools, you can take proper care of a fire without having to worry about burning yourself. Tools also allow you to extend the life of your fire by being able to move a wood and clean ash so the fire can get more oxygen. Spade- The spade has the appearance of a flat shovel. This tool is often associated with digging, it is used to pick up ashes, hot coals, and burning-embers. By moving around ashes and providing a cleaner burn, you can reduce smoke production. The spade is often used after a fire is done burning, used to clean the ashes and coals once they are no longer hot by scooping it...

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...

But why a chimney?

by Patrick Buell | May 14, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

We get it, we get it.Chimney's were originally used for warmth and provided for basic necessities.But now, chimney's are used for much more than necessities.Imagine you're having some friends over. Not only does the warmth of the fire brighten the mood, but the aesthetically pleasing look of architecture makes for many compliments.But Ok, ok, you're probably thinking "But why do I need to worry about my chimney now? It's about to be summer and I wont be using my chimney." Actually, now is the perfect time to have a chimney either installed or cleaned because you won't be using it during the summer (not talking to you, Eskimo). Therefore, having a chimney swept eliminates buildup of outside materials and removes critters that may have made a friendly home inside.Hiring a qualifying chimney sweep is important, and now is the time to get it accomplished!

The Signs That It’s Time for a Replacement or Chimney Repair

by Patrick Buell | March 1, 2019 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Your chimney is more than just a part of your home. It plays a very significant role in ensuring your safety and that of your family and property. A chimney directs noxious gases, heat and fumes safely out of your home. That is why the chimney must be in proper working condition if it is to continue being effective. A faulty or damaged chimney puts you and your family in danger of a house fire or a carbon monoxide poisoning. That’s why it’s very important to schedule regular chimney inspection and cleaning. Not only will this keep your chimney performing as it should, but it will also help to catch problems early on. So, you should have a chimney inspection maintenance and repair done before it gets into more extensive and costly problems. Chimneys look robust and durable. But it is wrong to assume they don’t need proper maintenance. Like all things that are put to good use, your chimney needs proper cleaning before and after every winter season. All the work and exposure to harsh...

What To Expect When Having A Chimney Sweep

by Patrick Buell | May 6, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

If there is a wood burning fireplace in your home that isn’t used very often, then you may feel there is no reason to have it swept. However, having your chimney serviced once or twice a year improves the quality of air in your home, and gets rid of creosote and other harmful debris. Your chimney sweep can provide feedback on how your fireplace has been functioning, and will suggest additional operating tips to improve its performance. A chimney free of debris lets you enjoy your fireplace without worry, and is imperative to the safety of your home. But when you hire a chimney sweep, what should you expect? Here are 4 things you should look for: What is a Chimney Sweep? Chimney sweeps are certified technicians who specialize in everything chimney. They have an array of equipment used to clean the inside of your chimney and flue of a wood burning fireplace or stove. Over time, a chimney can get clogged with debris and gunk and even creosote. Creosote is a thick, hard coating...

Chimney Examination

by Patrick Buell | June 1, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

If a chimney is not properly cared for, the results can be severe. A number of issues can arise when a chimney is not regularly cleaned and maintained. One common problem is the obstruction of the chimney which blocks smoke and dangerous gases from leaving the house and into the air outside. You can clean your chimney yourself, but it is usually best to hire chimney cleaning contractors to do it for you, due to the complexity for chimneys. A clean and clear chimney is vital to the safety of you and your loved ones when using your fireplace. If you’ve scheduled a chimney inspection with chimney cleaning contractors, then you might be wondering what to expect from them. Certified contractors will ensure all accessible parts of the chimney are properly inspected so you can rest easy when lighting your fireplace any time or season. Essential Areas Chimney Cleaning Contractors Should Inspect 1. Structural Integrity A chimney inspector will first assess the interior and exterior of...

Helpful Tips: Which Sealant is Best for You?

by Patrick Buell | September 10, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

The chimney is one noticeable aspect of the home that is continually helpless to the fluctuating climate. As the constantly changing climate moves through the seasons, the preparing sun, rising stickiness, driving precipitation, and profound freeze of the outside components can negatively affect the brickwork, and keeping in mind that although bricks are a normally strong structure material, they can in any case take on a lot of wear and tear. One preventative measure for damage of dampness and water is a block sealant. So, what type of sealant should you use? Sealants are a kind of substance used to impede liquids from entering the material it is on. As far as chimneys, these sealants are normally sorted out into one of two camps – that of polyurethane or silicone. Not all sealants are made the equivalent and to figure out which is the best for your chimney, we first need to go over the two substances in detail. Silicone is best at drying rapidly. Polyurethane stays wet for as long...

Histoplasmosis Horrors

by Patrick Buell | July 1, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

OK. You've heard the birds in your chimney. It's been a tight month, and so you've just avoided having your chimney swept. The birds are gone, and you no longer hear sounds. What's next? You assume the problem is gone because you don't hear any-more sounds, right? The problems are only beginning. Histoplasmosis is a lung infection caused by inhaling fungal spores. But why would that matter to you? Birds leave behind droppings which cause fungal spores. Breathing in fungal spores can lead to an infection of Histoplasmosis. According to HealthLine, Histoplasmosis can cause: fever dry cough chest pain joint pain red bumps on your lower legs And even in severe places: excessive sweating shortness of breath coughing up blood It is very important to have your chimney swept to prevent these health problems! Contact us today for your quote!

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,...

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...

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