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

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...

An Unexpected Guest In Your Chimney?

by Patrick Buell | January 6, 2021 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Humane Animal Removal Did you just hear chirping, scuffles, the flapping of feathers, or any other sounds that critters make? If so, then you're in the right place. First of all, do not smoke them out! Instead, take the humane way and call SootAway. We provide a humane animal removal service. We will remove all animals and birds of all kinds out of your chimney for the safety of you and theirs. Well, by law, we cannot remove chimney swifts because they are federally protected. Those will need to be discussed with local wildlife officials. Why Do These Animals Nest in Chimneys? You might be wondering what other animals would willingly choose to nest in a chimney? Well, there are a few well-known others that do include: raccoons, bats, and squirrels. These animals use your chimney as a form of shelter from the elements and to nest their young. Unfortunately, baby birds and young animals will fall to their deaths or get trapped inside resulting in their death. Basically, this is not a...

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....

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...

What To Expect When Having A Chimney Sweep

by Patrick Buell | May 6, 2020 | Blogs | 0 Comments

If there is a wood burning fireplace in your home that isn’t used very often, then you may feel there is no reason to have it swept. However, having your chimney serviced once or twice a year improves the quality of air in your home, and gets rid of creosote and other harmful debris. Your chimney sweep can provide feedback on how your fireplace has been functioning, and will suggest additional operating tips to improve its performance. A chimney free of debris lets you enjoy your fireplace without worry, and is imperative to the safety of your home. But when you hire a chimney sweep, what should you expect? Here are 4 things you should look for: What is a Chimney Sweep? Chimney sweeps are certified technicians who specialize in everything chimney. They have an array of equipment used to clean the inside of your chimney and flue of a wood burning fireplace or stove. Over time, a chimney can get clogged with debris and gunk and even creosote. Creosote is a thick, hard coating...

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...

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...

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....

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...

The Benefits of Having a Fireplace in Your Home

by Patrick Buell | December 24, 2018 | Blogs | 0 Comments

Fireplaces are continuously becoming an amenity most homebuyers consider a favorite when scouting for a new home. Fireplaces give a home an architectural oomph, but there is more to it than just the structural vitality and below are some of the reasons. Romance aside, fire is said to be good for your health. A scientific study report by a Ph.D. student at the University of Alabama found a significant reduction in blood pressure when people watched footage of a fire on a computer screen. The findings concluded that sitting in front of a fire projection with the sound of crackling logs consistently produces reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The report notes how the calming effects of fire can be traced back to prehistoric times. The flickering light, crackling sounds, warmth, and distinctive smell are believed to have provided a relaxation effect that enhanced prosocial behavior. Fire is also thought to provide a generally relaxing effect, and that explains why...

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