Q. WHY DO I EVEN NEED MY CHIMNEY CLEANED?
A. Good question. The job of the chimney is to vent the products of combustion. The National Fire Protection Association states "Chimney and flues SHALL be inspected on an annual basis and cleaned when necessary". An annual evaluation will allow you to know when service is necessary and also will prevent other problems such as deterioration due to water damage, rusted parts, etc., from creeping up on you.
In particular, wood burning appliances leave creosote, a highly flammable byproduct of burning, in the chimney system, often accumulating on the insides of the chimney. This material can easily catch fire, causing damage to the chimney lining and sometimes the structure of the house. Additionally, carbon monoxide is produced by burning petroleum products in your chimney. It is very important to insure that these passages are clean, clear and in good condition.
Q. I HAVE BEEN TOLD MY CHIMNEY NEEDS A LINER. WHAT IS IT, AND WHY DO I NEED IT?
A. Many homes in Rhode Island and surrounding states have chimneys built long before codes were established. Over time the corrosive properties from coal furnaces, oil furnaces and fireplaces, can lead to spalling, or flaking away of the liner. Additionally, the high volume of water in gas heat exhaust increases deterioration. Externally, freeze-thaw cycles that we experience in this part of the country cause the water absorbed by the porous masonry to expand and contract continuously, causing rapid destruction. Installing a liner protects the house from heat transfer to combustibles and protects the masonry from the corrosive byproducts of combustion. Liners also provide a correctly sized flue for optimum efficiency of appliances.
Q. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO HAVE MY CHIMNEY SWEPT?
A. Cleaning in the spring and summer, near the end of the burning season, will help reduce creosote odors through the humid periods of summer and will ensure that you are ready to go when fall arrives. Early detection of potential problems will also allow you plenty of time for repairs.
Why Should Your Chimney Sweep be CSIA Certified?
The primary job of a chimney service professional is to aid in the prevention of fires related to fireplaces, wood stoves, gas, oil and coal heating systems and the chimneys that serve them. Chimney sweeps install, clean and maintain these systems, evaluate their performance, prescribe changes to improve their performance, and educate the consumer about their safe and efficient operation.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) administers the only nationally recognized certification program for the chimney and venting service industry as a standard measurement of technical expertise.
To ensure that homeowners receive a certified sweep at every job, all chimney sweeping companies promoting the credential are required to have a CSIA Certified Chimney sweep on every job site.
The CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep credential has been established as the hallmark of excellence among chimney and venting service professionals. Professionals who have earned and maintain the CSIA credential have demonstrated their commitment to fire and chimney safety.
Contact Island Chimney Services, LLC today at 401-398-1181, or browse the website for more information about our products and services.
