"Sweeping" a Chimney
(Inspection & Sweep: $120)
We do not perform "sweeps" -- we perform safety inspections that incorporate sweeps.
Why is this distinction important?
Combustible creosote deposits constitute only one
of the three significant dangers associated with improperly-maintained
chimneys (flue blockage and structural instability being the other
two); a proper inspection is required to assess the other two dangers.
Why Are Chimney ("Flue") Fires Uniquely Dangerous?
At first glance it may seem silly to suggest a flue fire could be dangerous: after all, the flue is connected to
the fireplace, which is designed to contain a fire, right?
Although fireplace hearths use specialized bricks and mortar designed to
withstand direct flames, flues and liners are instead tasked with whisking away smoke (not flames), so they are typically constructed with only regular brick and mortar.
Worse yet, regular brick and mortar are especially vulnerable to the bizarrely hot temperature of a
creosote fire (which burns as high as 2,200 degrees--almost five times higher than
the burning temperature of mere wood!)
Indeed, flue fires reach temperatures intense
enough to
severely damage mortar, bricks and tiles. So even if the
house survives a flue fire, newly-created cracks and
fissures may now expose wooden
building materials to flames in any subsequent
chimney ("flue") fires.
Indeed, as over 15,500 yearly house fires started by chimneys and wood stoves each year confirm (Consumer Product Safety Commission data), a flue fire is very serious business.
As a general rule, a well-maintained flue or liner will require a physical sweep to remove accumulated creosote after every cord of wood that one burns (i.e., after every 30 - 45 fires).
Give Yourself Peace of Mind.
Schedule an Appointment Today.
(503) 775 - 3085
