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

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...

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...

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...

Rebuilding a Chimney with the Help of a Chimney Sweep Company

by Patrick Buell | February 8, 2019 | Blogs | 0 Comments

When a chimney is damaged and deteriorated beyond repair, rebuilding is the next step. Sometimes rebuilding is cheaper than trying to fix various areas of an existing fireplace. Fixing crowns, flashing, tiles, and mortar as separate projects are not always the best option. Breaking down the chimney to where it is stable and building it back up with new materials is often the best choice. All chimneys require regular repairs and maintenance. A chimney sweep company would do its best to patch up any cracks or holes and fix up any issues as needed! With that being said, sometimes a repair job just won't cut it. In such cases, you need an expert to rebuild your system, and our certified staff can help you out! Common Reasons why Chimneys may Require Rebuilding by a Chimney Sweep Company The type of rebuilding work a chimney sweep company may do depends on what exactly caused your damage in the first place. A lot of things can cause wear and tear on your chimney. One of the most common...

Did You Remember To Clean In Quarantine?

by Sean Foster | February 4, 2021 | Blogs | 0 Comments

For the last year, everyone has been adjusting to the guidelines of COVID-19 for safety precautions. From wearing masks to unexpected lockdowns, people began to adapt to the new lifestyle. COVID-19 is caused by the coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. This mainly is affecting elderly people and those who have underlying medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or diabetes. These people are considered to be at high risk for developing severe complications from the COVID-19 illness. Uncertainty of the outcome from the virus left thousands of citizens with panic; stocking up on cleaning supplies. Each state has reoccurring lockdowns based on their governors, the civilians are having to come up with ideas to stay busy at home. Staying locked in the house is never fun, but most people are taking the time to thoroughly deep clean. A deep clean not only gets rid of all the dirt and grime but leaves the homes with a sense of purity. Homeowners love the feeling that their home is clean and...

Have You Had Your Annual Chimney Inspection?

by Sean Foster | July 28, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

We are a little more than halfway into our year of 2020, and although it has not been one of the most riveting, the question still stands- have you had your annual chimney inspection? With the presidential election, a global pandemic, and civil rights protests, we understand that it may be easy to forget about your chimney inspection. That is why we want to remind you how important it is! Many recommend one annual chimney inspection to ensure safety and proper usage. It is never too late to get a chimney inspection! Chimney sweeps operate year-round, the off-season being in the summer and the busiest times being in the Fall. We always suggest that you get a chimney inspection during the summer, so that you can get an appointment in while you can. During the Fall, chimney sweep servicing companies tend to get booked 3-6 weeks ahead at a time, since the weather is colder, more people need to use their fireplace for warmth. Level One Inspection is the most common type of inspection. If...

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...

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...

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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