Chimney Sweep Vs Inspection: Is there a difference?
It’s understandable when people outside an industry don’t know about terms specific to that field. So, we are happy to answer questions, including “Chimney sweep vs. inspection: Is there a difference?” That is a frequently asked question; and the answer is yes. At Chimney Saver Solutions, our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps are qualified to unravel any confusion about the chimney sweep industry.
What Does “Chimney Sweep” Mean?
The term “chimney sweep” has two meanings in day-to-day dealings. However, only this first one is the more accurate: A chimney sweep, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a person whose occupation is to clean soot from chimney flues.
- There is a different definition of chimney sweep on the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) website, though it defines what a CSIA-certified chimney sweep is as follows: A chimney professional who has earned a certification from CSIA, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting venting and chimney safety. When chimney technicians are CSIA-certified, they have successfully completed extensive training, education, and testing in chimney and venting systems.
“Chimney sweeping” is widely used as an interchangeable term for “chimney cleaning.” At Chimney Saver Solutions, only the best professional products in the industry are used for chimney cleaning and all other chimney services.
When is Chimney Sweeping Needed?
It is vital that chimneys are cleared of creosote buildup, debris, and other hazards that could cause carbon monoxide poisoning and/or chimney fires. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that homeowners schedule chimney cleaning annually. CSIA says to schedule chimney cleaning when there is at least 1/8” of creosote or sooty buildup in the flue liner.
What is a Chimney Inspection?
Chimney sweeping services, as described above, are different from chimney inspections. However, a chimney inspection can be more accurately performed if the chimney flue is free of creosote and soot.
A chimney inspection must be conducted by a certified chimney sweep, who will assess the condition of your fireplace, chimney, and related appliances to determine if they are safe and properly functioning. In addition, during a chimney inspection, the chimney professional will check for damage, obstructions, and proper clearances.
When to Schedule a Chimney Inspection
Leading fire safety experts agree that chimney inspections should be performed annually on all chimneys, even those that are not in use. Three levels of chimney inspections are available, and Level 2 includes a video record taken to examine the entire flue liner. There are various occasions when a Level 2 chimney inspection is either required or highly recommended, and they include:
- Prior to buying or selling a property with a chimney system
- After the fireplace system has been modified in some way, such as changing the fuel type or adding a fireplace insert
- After a chimney fire
- After a lightning strike or some other type of extreme weather or natural disaster has occurred
Contact the Experts for Chimney Cleaning and Inspections
Please don’t hesitate to contact us at Chimney Saver Solutions if you live in the Richmond, VA, area and have any questions about our industry. Feel free to call if you have any more questions about “Chimney sweep vs. inspection: Is there a difference?” Of course, we will answer your questions about any of our services, including flashing repair, chimney leak fixes, chimney masonry repair, chimney crown rebuild, full or partial chimney rebuild, and installation of a new fireplace or a fireplace insert.
Reach out to us today by calling or filling out our online form.
