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

Sootaway Chimney Sweep New Orleans Inspection

The Search for the Perfect Sweep

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

As summer comes to an end, appointments and bookings rise. Right before the fall, which is prime time for using your fireplace, many people will schedule their recommended annual inspection. During this time, all chimney sweep technicians and companies receive a heightened number of chimney sweep service calls and inspections so you may experience longer than normal wait times for an appointment. Summer is the off-season for our technicians, but we work year-round! With a more open schedule in the summer, our teams can work around you. Planning can get you ahead, getting the peace of mind your chimney is clean and ready for use before Fall can do that for you. You most likely have not used your chimney for most of the year while temperatures are high, and then you go to light the first fire of the year. Before you know it, smoke fills your home and lungs and you are coughing up a storm. Since your last fire, any number of issues may have occurred. Rain may have found its way into...

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...

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....

Fireplace Screens

by Patrick Buell | May 27, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Fireplace screens add extra allure to your fireplace and your living room as it prevents the burning wood and soot from escaping the fireplace and causing damage to your furniture, pets, kids and carpet. From a broader perspective, some customized versions of fireplace screens allow you to choose the exact variety you're looking for based on your requirement. These screens take care of both the designer as well as the functional aspect of your fireplace. Let's take a look at how different types of fire screens can be beneficial for you. Single Panel Fireplace Screen Single panel fireplace screens offer a sleek and smart look to your fireplace. They occupy less space, are easy to handle and could be gently pushed and removed to adjust and load firewood. Curved Panel Fireplace Screen Curved fireplace screens certainly look dynamic and conventional, not only adding allure to your interiors but they also ensure extra coverage to your fireplace safety. They do not have legs and their...

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...

What You Didn’t Clean During Quarantine

by Sean Foster | July 23, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, many people are using their spare time at the house to knock out their errands that usually do not get done. Have you changed the water filter in your fridge? Did you forget to clean out your dryer vent? When is the last time your driveway got pressure washed? Cleaning may seem insignificant, but we need to do it regardless! Let us add one to your list, which is arguably one of the most important. Do you know if a Chimney Sweep has cleaned and inspected your chimney? A chimney sweep is a perfect chore to have someone else, like a chimney sweep, do! Chimney sweeping is tedious, dirty, and dangerous. Our technicians have years of experience with equipment and working on roofs to carry out necessary chimney sweeps. Why do we need chimney sweeps? A chimney sweep inspection is recommended at least once a year. The inspection allows a chimney sweep to notice if there is a chimney leak, animals inside the chimney, or any other issues that may affect the home...

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...

Things to Consider When Hiring a Chimney Sweeper

by Patrick Buell | January 28, 2019 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Before the cool, crisp days of autumn make your evenings in front of the fireplace relaxed and irresistible, take time to make sure your fireplace is as safe as it is inviting. Get your chimney inspected and cleaned, ideally in late spring or early summer season when the summer season is over. That way, you will have sufficient time to schedule any repairs you need. A 2016 file from the National Fire Protection Association states that the main factor contributing to home fires is the failure to clean chimneys on time. Chimney cleaning is usually a DIY chore, so it’s better to hire a trained professional Chimney Sweep to perform this job. That’s because cleaning and inspecting chimneys include more than simply cleaning soot. Therefore, most people prefer to hire professional chimney sweeper with the right skills for this task. Get a Chimney Sweeper with Reputation To find a reputable chimney sweep, ask friends for referrals. You can also find some good sweeps in the business section...

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...

How to Find and Hire a Reliable Chimney Sweep

by Patrick Buell | January 23, 2019 | Blogs | 0 Comments

The chimney sweep main job is to clean the chimney of open fires. A chimney sweep needs to have a good knowledge and training about the role he wants to do. An ideal chimney sweep is a well trained professional who ensures yours and your family safety. Therefore, you must look for a reliable chimney sweep to avoid any last minute surprises. Chimney cleaning is a tough job and an expert chimney sweep can make things safe and easy for you. What does a Chimney Sweep do? As mentioned above, chimney sweep inspects and cleans the chimney. This includes cleaning of soot, oil, coal, and wood-fired heating systems. They can help lower the chances of hazardous chimney fires and dangerous fumes. Day-to-day task of a chimney sweep could include performing an inspection of the flue or chimney before cleaning it. A professional chimney sweep must know how to protect the surrounding area so that the debris and soot cannot escape the room and scatter all around your place. Chimney sweep knows to use...

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