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

Years in Business

Satisfaction Guarantee

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

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...

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...

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Water, Smoke & Animal Problems Solved, Cleaning & All Repairs

by Patrick Buell | July 31, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Soot Away Chimney Sweeps Water, Smoke & Animal Problems Solved, Cleaning & All Repairs Spring has arrived and everything is coming to life. Everyone seems to go to work on their house, yard, gardens, etc. At SootAway we know the chimney area is the dirtiest, the least attended to and potentially the most Dangerous in your home. The average person will let it go until they have a chimney fire that scares them enough to call a specialist to check for damage and clean up the mess the fire made. Compared to the replacement cost of your home the cost of keeping your fireplace people who put off doing the essential inspection &cleanings. Call us today! SootAway has been locally owned and operated since 1986. We are licensed and insured. We personally work with all fireplace technicians at SootAway to ensure you always get a professional to service and inspect your fireplace and chimney system. We will provide service promptly and courteously and take special care to...

How Can You Prevent A Chimney Fire?

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

Ensuring the safety and security of your home is top priority in any family. With that being said, house fires are a large problem within the United States. Here are some tips to help prevent a fireplace fire within your home. Use proper fuelMake 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 installationYour 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. Single bricked chimney with no liner must never be used for a wood stove. Chimney cleaningGet a professional chimney sweep to inspect your chimney at least annually. This should be even more frequent if the fireplace is lit regularly.You can also do it yourself by using a...

How to Organize a Good Fireplace Cleaning Before the Holiday Season

by Patrick Buell | January 11, 2019 | Blogs | 0 Comments

The holiday season is almost upon us and before one gets completely engulfed by it, one should take care of a little detail that will make life so much better than that of organizing a good fireplace cleaning. One could begin by slating one’s annual fireplace chimney inspection followed by the fireplace cleaning. Though one can attempt fireplace cleaning on one’s own, the best way forward would be to invite a professional chimney cleaning professional to do it. They would be able to effectively remove fire causing substance like creosote, soot and glaze from inside the chimney and flue thereby clearing the way to enjoy a warm and cheerful holiday season with your family and friends. Why Fireplace Cleaning is Not That Much of a Chore to Be Dreaded Anymore The modern and professional way of fireplace cleaning does not leave any mess behind. Professional chimney sweeps will do the cleaning with the help of brushes that are able to vacuum-clean the offending deposits preventing any...

A First Class Chimney Company

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

When working in the chimney industry as long as we have you amass a large reputation. Here at SootAway, we pride ourselves on our customer's safety, honest pricing, and the quality of our work. What other companies seem to forget over the years is that customers are the most important part of any business. With this idea as our main philosophy, we have proudly been serving the emerald coast for over forty-one years and counting. But don't take our word for it take Home Advisors! Winning the Best of HomeAdvisor award for 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 (Working to earn the 2020 award) our company strives for perfection. Another goal of SootMaster is to prevent damage, save lives, and homes by providing no-cost, ad-free tips, and information through our blogs. Recently our blog was added onto The Top 25 Chimney Blogs. This verifies us as one of the best chimney sweep information outlets in the world. Our blog provides weekly content on new chimney...

Chimney Leak Issues

by Patrick Buell | June 9, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

What causes chimney leaks? Although chimneys look like simple brick or stone columns, they are actually complex structures with a number of different pieces and parts. Because the chimney is constantly exposed to the elements, its masonry is at greater risk for damage and breakdown. The following are some of the most common causes of chimney leaks. Chimney cap: The chimney cap protects the top of your flue from water entry, as well as animals and debris. Without a properly fitted chimney cap, the flue and fireplace are left completely exposed to water entry from rain. Flashing: Flashing is the watertight strips that seal the seam between your roof and the chimney structure. If the flashing is incorrectly installed, damaged, or merely loses its seal due to wear and tear or age, water can easily seep through any gaps. This can cause water damage to not only the roof and chimney but also the ceilings and walls around the chimney. Masonry damage: If one side or part of your...

Rainy Season Is Heading For Your Area

by Patrick Buell | January 7, 2021 | Blogs | 0 Comments

The pleasures and warmth of fires tend to blind homeowners. While distracted, homeowners, tend to forget to sustain the warmth is the proper maintenance through a trusted chimney company. A well-respected chimney company will be frank on the condition of the chimney's vulnerability to weather conditions leading to deterioration. When owning a chimney, there somethings that customers do not think about. One is the build-up of creosote. Creosote that is build-up on the chimney lining is the main leading cause for chimney fires. The moisture acts as the biggest hazard for a chimney. Ultimately, if the water is not handled, then it will lead to a chimney fire or a house fire. The damages from moisture could cost the chimney system repairs. Mortar & Flashing Mortar is the sealant on brick chimneys; this is less durable than masonry only. When the mortar begins to crumble, flake off, or decay, this means that moisture easily seeps into the masonry. In the winter, the masonry will...

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...

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