There is nothing cozier than lighting up the fireplace to take the chill out of a cold winter’s day. But weather, age, and the by-products of combustion such as creosote can impact the performance of the chimney and create a safety hazard. So, it’s essential to schedule an appointment with a Certified Chimney Sweep® like Magic Mountain Chimney Sweeps for a professional cleaning to ensure your heating appliances will operate efficiently and safely. While the chimney sweep will do most of the work, here are a few tips to prepare for your visit.
Make sure your fireplace is cool.
Your fireplace needs to be cool to the touch for the chimney sweep to perform their work. You should avoid lighting the fireplace or stove for 24 to 48 hours before your appointment to allow it enough time for the interior masonry to cool down. You can also remove any leftover ashes from the fireplace that you want to recycle in your garden. Otherwise, the chimney sweep will dispose of the ashes for you.
Remove any logs in the firebox.
You should ensure that your firebox is empty before the sweep arrives. Remove any remaining logs as well as the grate, fireplace tools and any other decorative elements that are in the fireplace.
Put away any decorative elements
Many homeowners enjoy decorating the mantle with pictures, knick-knacks, and other items when the fireplace is not being used. However, any décor or fragile items should be set aside before your cleaning appointment. It will make the cleaning process more efficient and protect your keepsakes from accidental damage.
Remove objects like furniture or toys that are blocking access to the fireplace.
Your chimney sweep will bring in professional equipment, tools, and supplies to thoroughly scrub and clean your chimney and fireplace. The technician will require clear access to the fireplace. This is an excellent time to ensure there are no furniture, toys, or other objects blocking the fireplace. Also, the chimney technician will lay a drop cloth to protect the firebox during the cleaning. You may also want to cover any nearby furnishings just in case of dust or soot particles are floating in the air from the cleaning process.
Let your chimney sweep know if you recently noticed any foul odors, water leakages, or have other concerns.
Upon arrival, the chimney sweep will ask if you noticed any foul odors, moisture, and other questions to perform an initial assessment of the chimney’s condition. It’s essential to inform your technician of any concerns you have, so we recommend making a list to prepare for your sweep appointment. It will also help the technician identify areas that need more immediate attention.
Sadly, excessive creosote due to unclean chimneys is the primary cause of residential structure fires. Hiring a Certified Chimney Sweep® will reduce the risk of fire, increase fireplace heating efficiency, and ensure the safe operation of your chimney and fireplace in the winter.
