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

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...

The Little Critters

by Patrick Buell | May 28, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Your chimney is a beautiful structure that is an important feature in your home. But it is also a great feature in the lives of little invaders.Here is some important information regarding these critters and how to keep them out of your home! It's important to make sure that your home is safe from little invaders. Chimney SwiftsChimney Swifts are small birds commonly found in chimneys. They are unable to perch and therefore must cling to vertical surfaces. Chimney swifts are Federally Protected Migratory Bird, therefore there are limitations on what we can do to remove this bird. Give us a call to find out more!BatsIn a sense, chimneys are like a cave. Therefore, chimneys tend to be a prime habitat for migrating bats. When bats make a home in your chimney, they generally are going to be somewhere higher which makes them a challenge to remove. Give us a call to find out how we can remove your bat problems.SquirrelsLike for bats, chimneys are a great little home for squirrels. Most...

Not all chimney companies are created equal

by Sean Foster | July 31, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Chimney season is right around the corner and will be here before you know it! Now is the time to schedule your annual appointment while Chimney Sweeps still have openings! During the season, it is common for sweeping companies and technicians to be booked three to six weeks ahead at a time. If you do not want to wait it is best to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Without knowledge or experience, cleaning your chimney is extremely dangerous. Getting on the roof is dangerous enough, but you could also miss an important fire hazard. Technicians are continuously trained and certified to spot any potential risks. When it comes to chimney maintenance, it is best to leave it to a professional. It is generally recommended that you schedule at least one annual inspection to ensure safety. Chimney Sweeps follow guidelines to provide an essential service. Protecting your home from fire hazards should be Chimney Sweeps’ main priority. Unfortunately, not all chimney companies are...

How to Clean a Chimney Flue Simple?

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

A flue is a pipe in a chimney for directing gases from a fireplace to outside the home. Fireplaces can be the biggest source of energy consumption when the flue is not used correctly. This usually happens when the flue is left open too wide after the fire has started. Therefore, chimney flue cleaning is very essential to keep your fireplace chimney in a tip-top condition. Chimney flue cleaning and maintenance is necessary. Over time, creosote and soot can accumulate in your flue. Creosote build-up is flammable and can lead to a fire hazard in your home. Routine chimney maintenance also includes eliminating any debris and birds’ nests that may have accumulated in your flue. This debris in your flue can block the release of smoke from your fireplace. This can lead to fire hazards, and increased smoke and carbon monoxide levels in your home. Preparations to Make before Chimney Flue Cleaning Before cleaning your chimney flue, wear protective clothing, goggles, gloves, and a mask....

Helpful Wood-Burning Tips

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

Did you know there are over 1,000 species of trees in North America? Each tree produces a different type of wood, with various colors and sizes. The type of wood you burn in your fireplace will affect how hot the fire is, how long it will last, and how much residue will remain. Whether you are buying wood from your local grocer or getting it from your backyard, it is important to know which type of wood you are going to burn. Some wood is better for your needs, while others may burn too hot. Wood can also be toxic, creating poisonous fumes that can harm your lungs. This is why we are here to offer the best wood-burning tips and advice to keep you safe and warm. Greenwood & Seasoned Wood Wood needs to be properly dried before it can be burnt, this is called “seasoned wood.” Wood that does not have a moisture content below 20 percent is called Greenwood. Greenwood is not good for burning because it produces a lot of smoke and soot. Once the wood has been seasoned, it can be split...

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...

How Much Time Does it a Chimney Sweep take?

by Patrick Buell | December 21, 2018 | Blogs | 0 Comments

If you are concerned about the amount of time it will take to sweep your chimney, you really should get in touch with a professional chimney sweep. For they are certainly going to take less time than any DIY plans that you might have. Besides, a professional chimney sweep will certainly do a better job of it and it will probably be better for you both from a safety point of view. Moreover, apart from the cleaning, they would be able to alert you to any damage that your chimney might have undergone. Though the amount of time required for a chimney sweep really depends upon the extent and quantity of the deposit inside the chimney most chimney sweeps take between forty-five minutes to one hour. That in any case will accomplish way more than anything you might attempt on your own Factors That Make It Longer to Clean a Chimney Sweep The presence of creosote in the flue. A damaged flue. Blockages like birds’ nests. Larger dimensions of the chimney. A large amount of dirt in the chimney....

Importance of Chimney Caps: Top 4 Benefits

by Patrick Buell | December 5, 2018 | Blogs | 0 Comments

When winter arrives, there is no place better than sitting near a beautiful, warm fireplace in your home. A nice fire, with a properly working chimney, can keep your home suitably warm in those cold days without taking a toll on your electricity bill. However, it is not just about the warmth, a fireplace in your house can make it look classy and elegant effortlessly. The downside is that chimneys open outside the house, mainly on the rooftop. If not appropriately covered, animals, flies, water or debris can enter your home through the chimney without your permission. To avoid these annoyances, you must invest in chimney caps. A trusted chimney sweep company can help you get the best chimney caps for your needs and budget. Benefits of Investing In Chimney Caps Keep Your Fireplace Dry During Rain or Snowfall Keep Your Fireplace Dry During Rain or Snowfall: Most of the rainfalls are not just water droplets that you can see with your naked eyes. Due to high pollution levels, rainwater...

Let’s Talk Chimney Odors

by Patrick Buell | August 26, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Is there an awful stench originating from your chimney? Odds are, your home has Stinky Fireplace Syndrome. The scent is normally more terrible in the late spring when the moistness is high, and the climate control system is turned on. Nobody needs their chimney to smell – it can ruin your whole home. While it might appear as though all hope is lost, there is a solution. Before we jump into that, let's talk about some possible causes of chimney odor. Causes of Chimney Odor Chimney odor can be brought about by an assortment of things that are sneaking in your stack. The most widely recognized reasons for smokestack smells are: Negative Air Pressure -As air moves down through your chimney, it brings the inner fireplace smells & chimney odors along with it. Excess Creosote and Soot - Odors from creosote buildup are often described as a heavy, smoky smell Moisture- Unless your fireplace is totally closed and protection measures are taken to stop water interruption, smelly scents can...

The Levels of Inspections for Chimneys

by Patrick Buell | January 25, 2019 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Chimney has become part of our winter’s life. There is always a need to burn the fire and get some warmness in the house. The chimney can only warm our house efficiently and properly if it is maintained well. So, chimney sweeping and chimney inspection must be done at least once a year or more frequently. It cannot only increase the efficiency of our chimney but also make your life easier and more comfortable too. An annual chimney inspection search for creosote buildup and blockages. Inspection is followed by sweeping to remove hazards that inhibits the performance of chimney. Most chimney sweeps offer 3 levels of service. So, you can follow these steps and can increase the efficiency and safety of your chimney according to your needs and budget. Level 1 of Chimney Inspection In first level of chimney inspection, chimney sweeps visually checks the chimney for superficial defects with a flashlight. Level 1 looks for damage, obstructions, creosote buildup and informs you if the...

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