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

Reasons to Get a Chimney Liner Replacement by the Chimney Sweeper

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

The chimney liner is necessary for three main reasons, all of which affect the home and its occupants directly. You should hire a qualified chimney sweeper to replace your chimney liner.When it comes to the safety of the fireplace and chimney, the chimney liner is one of the most critical protective components. The chimney liner prevents carbon monoxide from seeping into your home. It stops hot embers in the smoke from slipping through a crack in the flue and igniting any flammable materials near the chimney. It also absorbs high temperatures and harsh chemicals released by the fire that could cause severe structural damage to the chimney or create pathways for a fire. Chimney liners are difficult to install, and they require a certified professional chimney sweeper. Why You Should Hire an Experienced Chimney Sweeper to Replace A Chimney Liner Chimney liners are essential, and people have several questions regarding them. The article below talks about when and why you should upgrade...

How do you tell if bats are in your chimney?

by Patrick Buell | February 17, 2022 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Got Bats In your Chimney? Bats are the only flying mammals! This makes them one of the most common mammals to get into chimneys! Telling what type of animal is in your chimney can be very helpful when calling someone for an animal removal! So, how do you tell if bats are in your chimney? Like you, many homeowners with a chimney constantly worry about noises inside their chimney and a lot of them have bats inside the chimney. How do bats get in chimneys? Bats are fairly small animals. Usually they are around the size of the average bird. This makes it easier for them to gain access to the inside of your chimney. Chimneys can sometimes have their cap knocked loose, this makes the perfect pathway for animals like bats. Other animals can also knock the cap loose like raccoons. Bats can carry diseases like rabies. This makes it dangerous to leave them the ability to gain access to your home. Rabies has no cure and will kill somebody quickly. This makes removing bats from chimneys an...

An Unexpected Guest In Your Chimney?

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

Humane Animal Removal Did you just hear chirping, scuffles, the flapping of feathers, or any other sounds that critters make? If so, then you're in the right place. First of all, do not smoke them out! Instead, take the humane way and call SootAway. We provide a humane animal removal service. We will remove all animals and birds of all kinds out of your chimney for the safety of you and theirs. Well, by law, we cannot remove chimney swifts because they are federally protected. Those will need to be discussed with local wildlife officials. Why Do These Animals Nest in Chimneys? You might be wondering what other animals would willingly choose to nest in a chimney? Well, there are a few well-known others that do include: raccoons, bats, and squirrels. These animals use your chimney as a form of shelter from the elements and to nest their young. Unfortunately, baby birds and young animals will fall to their deaths or get trapped inside resulting in their death. Basically, this is not a...

Levels of Chimney Inspections

by Patrick Buell | September 25, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

If you are a homeowner with a chimney, standard upkeep is a significant piece of keeping it in great condition just as keeping your family protected. Perhaps the best thing you can do to keep up your fireplace is to have a chimney inspection. Inspections are an extraordinary method to guarantee that your fireplace and chimney are in acceptable condition and have no likely security or basic issues. At the point when a chimney is normally inspected, deterioration such as masonry damage can often be spotted early before it significantly damages the chimney. In like manner, fireplace assessments are likewise a helpful device when diagnosing progressing chimney issues, for example, breaks or chimney odor. You may be surprised to discover that not all chimney inspections are the same. Depending on the circumstance, your chimney sweep may recommend one of three different chimney inspection levels to keep your home safe. Below, we will teach you about the distinct levels and what they mean...

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....

Why is it so important?

by Patrick Buell | May 12, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2011: "The National Fire Protection Association estimates that in 2011, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 53,600 reported U.S. home structure fires, with associated losses of 400 civilian deaths, 1520 civilian injuries, and $893 million in direct property damage. These fires accounted for 14 percent of all reported home fires." Of that $893 million, 125 million of that damage was because of Chimneys! In other words, paying a small amount of money to have your chimney swept is a light price to pay to ensure your safety. We often post about ensuring the safety of your home, but that is not simply a marketing ploy. It is imperative that your chimney is in healthy condition. It may save your life, and exponential property damage. Additionally, "confined fires, those fires confined to chimney's, flues, or flue burners, accounted for 87% of residential building heating fires (USFA). Let me be honest with you: Chimney...

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...

Money: Fireplaces & Chimneys Mean Warmth & Value

by Patrick Buell | May 7, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

From colonial times to now, fireplaces have been an important part of the American household. Offering more than heat and warmth, fireplaces are a traditional centerpiece of American history; the place where people gather to talk, eat, and share the great memories of life. While fireplaces hold practical worth, they also have a fundamental value that cannot be overlooked. A 2013 study by the National Association of Realtors found that “fireplaces were most common in higher-priced homes, homes in resort or recreation areas, and in detached single-family homes.” No less important, fireplaces are desirable and add value to homes. The NAR study also showed that 40% of all home-buyers were willing to pay more for a home with one or more fireplaces. In fact, 57% of the homes sold in the South actually had one or more fireplaces. Additionally, a 2016 study by the National Association of Home Builders found that gas fireplaces were regarded as essential or desirable by 52% of all home buyers...

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...

Five Top Ways of Cleaning Your Chimney

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

Chimney sweeps should occur annually or more especially in the winter. You can do this with the help of professionals or you can do it yourself. You can get help with the chimney cleaning from websites or professionals. Do not be afraid to get help and review the different ways of cleaning. There are steps that need to be done to guarantee a successful cleaning process. Chimney Cleaning Preparation Better to be safe than sorry when it comes to cleaning non-normal household items such as your chimney. Here are some pre-preparation steps to ensure the cleaning process to go more smoothly. Examine First, you will want to grab a flashlight while using a pencil for scraping off. You will be examining the creosote accumulation on one side of the chimney. If the accumulation is 1/8 inch thick, then it is time for a cleaning. Beware of animals that may be nesting in your chimney. Therefore a proper examination of chimney cleaning is necessary. Take Measurements Next, you will need to measure...

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