Chimney Service
Why is a chimney cleaning service necessary?
Chimney cleaning is an important part of home maintenance. If you use your fireplace for burning wood, the products of incomplete combustion (soot & creosote) begin to build up in your chimney’s flue over time. The soot and creosote deposits are highly flammable. When these deposits finally ignite, a chimney fire occurs.
Chimney fires can often reach dangerously high temperatures well over 2,000 degrees! These high temperatures will often cause severe damage to the chimney structure. Far too often, homes are destroyed and lives are lost by chimney fires.
Luckily, chimney fires are preventable. With regular chimney cleanings, you can keep your home and family safe.
Chimney Inspections
Why is a chimney inspection necessary?
An annual chimney inspection is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association for all solid fuel burning appliances and fireplaces.
During an annual chimney inspection, our expert chimney technicians look for buildup of soot or creosote deposits. At this time, your service technician will address issues with faulty dampers and masonry deterioration. Other common issues include worn out chimney caps and bad flashing. We are your go-to company for any potential problems that relate to a fireplace, wood stove, or chimney!
Our chimney technicians perform a standard level one inspection in most cases. However, sometimes a more in-depth level two inspection is necessary. A level two inspection involves a video scanner and gaining access to areas of the chimney not easily accessible.
While providing this service, our technicians will thoroughly document your inspection and provide a written report with photographs.
Chimney Relining
A chimney liner is the material used to carry smoke and exhaust out of your chimney. Masonry construction typically uses a clay flue tile, although metal chimney flues are common today.
- What is a chimney liner?
A chimney liner is the material used to carry smoke and exhaust out of your chimney. Masonry construction typically uses a clay flue tile, although metal chimney flues are common today.
- Why does a chimney need a liner?
Your chimney flue or chimney liner not only needs to efficiently carry out the combustion by-products, but also needs to keep heat from the inside of the chimney from transferring through to the combustible components of your home. This proves especially crucial in the event of a chimney fire.
- How do I know if I need a chimney relining?
A simple chimney inspection will reveal the condition of your flue liner. Sometimes, cracks in the tile can be difficult to see from the top or bottom. In some cases, a video inspection may be needed. All new high-efficiency wood burning appliances need a chimney liner that is appropriately sized for the appliance.
Leaky Chimneys
Chimney Caps
3 Main Reasons Why All Chimneys Need A Chimney Cap
1) Chimney caps keep water from damaging the chimney’s interior and exterior.
All chimneys require a chimney cap for protection. Water will, over time, erode the chimneys crown which will require costly repairs. Water damage inside a chimney can be even more expensive to repair. In some chimneys, water damage can cause a major fire hazard by rotting out flooring under a manufactured fireplace or rusting out the top of a manufactured fireplace .
2) Chimney caps keep birds, leaves, and other debris out of the flue.
During spring and summer, birds known as chimney swifts come to our area to nest. They are very noisy and often leave behind a horrible odor. Other intruders include: squirrels, raccoons, owls and bats. A chimney cap is the best way to protect your home from these pests.
3) Chimney caps arrest sparks as they exit the chimney.
During a chimney fire, large amounts of burning material will exit the chimney top. Some chimney fires are described as “mini volcanoes” spewing lava-like material all over the roof! A cap will help contain this material and may save your home. It only takes one tiny spark to ignite dry leaves in your gutters that could rapidly spread to rest of house.
Shroud
Black Hip Cap
Stainless Steel Hip Cap
Stainless Fat Cap
Copper Hip Cap
Before And After Chase Cover
Before And After Chase Covers
Flue Caps
Masonry
Southern Chimney Sweep technicians are experienced in laying brick, stone, block, artificial stone, and tile. We can fix a crumbling masonry chimney, deteriorating mortar and cracked crowns.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
According to the National Fire Protection Association, dryer vent fires are a common cause of home fires in the United States. This is because the dryer lint that builds up in your dryer exhaust duct is highly flammable.