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

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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

The Benefits of Waterproofing your Chimney by a Chimney Company

by Patrick Buell | January 14, 2019 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Homeowners with wood-burning fireplaces and chimneys are often engrossed in the pleasures and warmth they bring. However, they tend to forget that the only way to sustain the warmth is to properly maintain the fireplace chimney through a trusted chimney company. A good chimney company will intimate you that even though a chimney is made with solid materials such as stone or, it is still vulnerable to harsh weather conditions that can lead to deterioration. Though the presence of creosote buildup in the chimney lining has been declared as the number one cause of chimney fires, moisture portends the biggest hazards for a chimney. The damage moisture can cause if not handled, can ultimately lead to a chimney fire or even in worse situations- a house fire. Besides, the damages moisture can cause to the chimney system can be very costly to repair. Mortar and Flashing The mortar used to seal chimney bricks is less durable than the masonry itself. When the mortar begins to crumble, flake...

Chimney Clean Out: The varies Types of Chimney Brushes

by Patrick Buell | February 22, 2019 | Blogs | 0 Comments

When you invite a chimney sweep into your home for your annual chimney sweep cleaning, it might interest you to know the type of tools and equipment they use. Or perhaps you might wish to DIY your chimney clean out, and need information on the available types of brushes so you can know which one would best suit your chimney cleaning needs. The type of brushes needed for a chimney cleanout depends on the type of chimney and flue you have. Most typical chimneys are either masonry with clay flue tiles, or pre-fabricated and metal. The traditional chimneys made of masonry are more prone to severe creosote buildup than those made out of metal or prefabricated styles and require a different brush to accomplish a proper cleanout. Chimney brushes are important tools when it comes to the chimney clean out process. For the proper maintenance and operation of the chimney flue, it is vital that you use a brush of suitable material, shape, and size. Chimney brushes vary depending on the below...

Prepare Your Kindling for Winter

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

Nothing is cozier on a cold evening than a popping fire, warm and gleaming, in the chimney or oven. Wood heat is likewise more affordable than numerous gas or electric heaters and can be more viable for home warming and cooking in numerous zones. In any case, by what method would it be a good idea for you to store your kindling to be certain it is prepared for it to be utilized exactly when you need it most? Assuming you are finished splitting your logs, the next thing to do is arrange and build a base for a storage area to keep these. This will permit your kindling to fix and age – fresh logs are known as green wood and should not be burned in the chimney or oven as they need time to dry. Appropriate stacking and capacity will likewise give a sheltered area to shield your wood from the components while keeping out any undesirable irritations from your home. Kindling in the U.S is regularly stacked in a rectangular face-rope type setup, with somewhere in the range of 1-3 face strings...

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...

101 In Chimney History

by Patrick Buell | September 2, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

In early history, fires were implicit fire pits in the focal point of rooms to give warmth to structures and homes; however, the early Romans started utilizing chimneys to deliver heat and to cook inside. Ventilation happened when pastry kitchens introduced tubes in the dividers to allow smoke to go out. The earliest indications of real chimney use dates to the thirteenth century in Italy yet wasn't until the fifteenth and sixteenth century that they took on a cosmetic appeal with residents building large and tall structures that could make up for bigger homes and various chimneys. During this period, the requirement for chimney experts expanded. Coal developed in ubiquity as an elective fuel replacement for wood. Since coal left enormous clingy stores of buildup on the dividers of the chimney and vent, the requirement for more successive cleaning of the chimney and pipes expanded. If not cleaned regularly, the buildup would start to block the flow of air up the smokestacks...

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...

Chimney Flue Operational Tips

by Patrick Buell | September 21, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

A chimney with a flue is a significant advantage for any home. It takes into consideration the comfortable solace of a warm hearth and fire for most homes. If you are a homeowner with a flue, count yourself lucky for good reasons. The delight of a working chimney with loved ones is best in class. WHAT'S A CHIMNEY FLUE? Think about a chimney flue as an exhaust pipe that transports smoke and ignition items securely outside. Fumes drafts up your smokestack since it is warm and light, completing it up and off your fireplace utilizing the head of the stack impact. DRAFTING Although many people do not understand it, the air climbing your smokestack works under similar arrangement of physical standards as water streaming in a hose or line. At the point when a chimney smokestack is full of hot air, it gets air through the firebox. This pulling impact is called draft and it compares to the measure of weight in a water hose - the main contrast is that the pneumatic force is negative and the...

Noticing Cracks In Your Chimney Crown?

by Patrick Buell | February 8, 2021 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Owning a chimney can be a little tough. With it comes routine maintenance, but there also comes the worry about cracks in any part of the foundation. One of the most important parts of the chimney system is the crown. It is located at the top of the flue and sits on the highest point of the chimney. Crowns are designed to be strong enough to withstand harsh weather over long periods of time. However, like most structures, it can become damaged. There are numerous reasons why the crown can form cracks. For example, harsh weather such as snow, rain, and the hot sun can weaken the crown. Also, the crown can go through what is known as freeze-thaw stages. Below are some indications of damages that appear on the chimney crown. Indications of a Damaged Chimney Crown Cracking: Visible cracks in the concrete forming the crown can be filled or sealed if they are still relatively small. Larger cracks might need more extensive repair. Falling flue tiles: Notice small lumps of tiles gathering at...

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 To Prepare for a Major Storm

by Patrick Buell | September 3, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

When a major storm hits your area, you may encounter some structural damage in your home, including to your chimney. While chimneys are normally able to withstand the elements, they are not indestructible. The fierce winds, heavy rain, and flying debris associated with hurricanes can cause both surface and structural damage to chimneys, and the full degree of the wreck can be hard to observe with an undeveloped eye or without exceptional hardware. Chimney damage is not always simple to identify. In the event that we don't know what precisely to pay attention to, in any case, basic issues may appear straightforward corrective deformities. Indications of tempest harm to a workmanship smokestack may incorporate block pieces or full blocks lying on the ground or on the rooftop, new breaks in the fireplace, or smothered areas of the stack. Harm to mortar joints among stonework and fireplace, broken or debilitated liners, tops, crowns, or potentially brickwork are normal issues. Rooftop...

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