Chimney Sweeping In Powhatan, VA

Fireplace use is strong and steady in Virginia, and so are the problems that eventually happen with all chimneys; one of those key problems centers on what’s inside the chimney flue.

Chimney Saver Solutions provides certified chimney sweeping service to help our Powhatan, VA, customers keep their chimney systems cleaner, safer, and more reliable.

What’s the Purpose of Chimney Sweeping?

There are two main purposes.

1. To Clean Out Built-Up Creosote

If you use a wood-burning fireplace, your chimney will accumulate creosote. Creosote is made when smoke condenses in the chimney flue. It can be solid, sticky, flaky, or puffy, and all forms are highly flammable.

In Powhatan, VA, and other Virginia communities, creosote is the #1 cause of reported chimney fires each year. And note that not all chimney fires are huge, dramatic events; many of them are smaller and start and go out on their own – but not before causing some level of damage.

Our certified chimney sweep technicians use specialized tools, solvents, and vacuums to remove even the most stubborn, stuck-on creosote safely. This is the best way to reduce the chance of a small or large chimney fire.

2. To Remove Debris

Another important purpose of chimney cleaning is to remove debris that can narrow the flue passage and cause smoke to back up. Worse than smoke, however, is the deadly carbon monoxide that smoke carries. Invisible and odorless, this gas is highly toxic and dangerous to people and animals when inhaled.

Creosote buildups can cause smoke backups, and so can:

• Leaves
• Twigs
• Falling fruit
• The nests of small animals
• The occasional animal that dies inside the chimney

Don’t wait for smoke to start invading your Powhatan, VA, home before you schedule chimney sweeping service. If your chimney has no proper cap, let us install one to keep the flue free of outside debris.

How Often Is Chimney Cleaning Needed?

Once a year for active chimneys is the basic guideline from the Chimney Safety Institute of America, the EPA, the National Fire Protection Association, and other fire safety agencies.

Depending on how much you use your fireplace and your wood-burning practices (see below), your chimney may need to be swept more or less often than once a year.

Create Less Smoke with Your Fires

Since smoke turns into creosote, you want to create as little of it as possible. Here are some tips.

• Burn only dry (seasoned) wood, which makes far less smoke than damp firewood.
• Don’t overfill your firebox – leave some breathing room around and between the logs.
• Never burn clothing, furniture, cardboard, plastic, metal, or other non-firewood materials. These items produce a lot of smoke and emit dangerous toxins.
• Make sure your fireplace damper opens all the way to create a strong draft that moves smoke through the flue faster.
• Keep your chimney clean with regular sweeping: creosote and debris buildup slow the draft and keep creosote-forming smoke in your flue for longer.

Call for Powhatan, VA Chimney Sweep Service

If it’s been more than a year since your chimney was cleaned, Chimney Saver Solutions is standing by to help. In addition to chimney sweeping, we offer licensed chimney and fireplace inspections and expert chimney and fireplace repair services.

Speak with a Virginia chimney professional by phone or via our contact form.