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Does Your Chimney Need A Check Up?
Your chimney and the flue that lines it may add architectural interest to your home, but their real function is to carry fireplace gases and smoke safely out of your home. As you snuggle in front of a cozy fire and bask in its warmth, you are taking part in a ritual handed down through the centuries. The last thing you are likely to be thinking about is the condition of your chimney.
Prevent Chimney Fires
Get your chimney cleaned annually
Possible Problems Include
- Creosote – Smoke goes up your chimney and creosote clings to the walls. It is highly flammable and causes chimney fires.
- Obstructions – Bird nesting, debris, leaves, and excessive creosote will create a blockage, causing your chimney to back smoke.
- Chimney Odors – A dirty chimney combined with rain and humidity can leave an undesirable odor.
- Deterioration – Loose bricks, large cracks, and holes can be symptomatic of major problems and the integrity of the fireplace.
- No Chimney Cap/Spark Arrestor – Without protection, it is an open hole to the environment.
We Have The Solution For You
Our service will give you the peace of mind you deserve.
We offer an absolute, No Mess Cleaning with our state-of-the-art equipment and tools. A chimney sweep includes a visual inspection over the unit to make sure your fireplace is visibly sound.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends, “for safe and efficient operation, chimneys should be checked annually and cleaned as needed.” Each year unsafe chimneys cause significant numbers of injuries and deaths and account for more than $200 million in property losses.
Make fireplace examinations with Arizona Chimney & Air Ducts a regular part of your home maintenance. For the safety of you and your family, Contact us today to schedule your cleaning and inspection.
FAQs
How often does my chimney need to be cleaned?
The National Fire Protection Agency recommends a yearly inspection and cleaning and repairs done as necessary.
The general rule of thumb would be after burning approximately 1 cord of wood or every 2-3 years if you do not burn that much wood.
Before you light a fire after the long summer it is always a good idea to have your chimney inspected. Creosote is not the only thing we look for. Birds could have built a nest, debris could have fallen down the chimney, and mortar joints in your box could be cracked in need of repair. These are just to name a few items Arizona Chimney & Air Ducts will look for in the inspection process.
Do the chemical cleaner logs really work?
The Chimney Safety Institute, a non-profit, educational institution for prevention of chimney and venting hazards has issued a statement on the logs. “The use of these products alone is not an adequate substitute for mechanical chimney cleaning and inspection because it does not provide the same level of protection to the chimney system.” It may be creating a false sense of security among consumers.
The chemical in the product has been used for many years by professional chimney sweeps. It is used to change the chemical composition of hard and tacky creosote called, 3rd degree creosote. It changes the creosote into a powdery condition so it can be removed by a chimney cleaning.
Basically the creosote does not dissolve or just vanish, it must be swept out. In small print on the logs it states, “The Cleaning Log is not intended to replace an inspection and professional cleaning.” The log cannot detect any other problems that may be going on with your fireplace.
Can I burn artificial logs in my fireplace?
Convenience is their strong suit when you want a quick fire. Usually, they should be burned only one at a time and only in an open fireplace. Once they are burning, one should be careful about poking them and moving them around since they may break up and the fire may get a bit out of control. Be sure to carefully read the directions on the package.
They do produce creosote in the chimney which must be cleaned out, they are basically made of sawdust, glue and chemicals.
What about firewood?
Firewood is an area where you can have great influence over how well your system performs and how enjoyable your experience will be. Quality, well-seasoned firewood will help your fireplace burn cleaner and more efficiently, while green or wet wood can cause smoking problems, odor problems, rapid creosote buildup and possibly even dangerous chimney fires.
Below are some examples of indicators of properly seasoned wood.
- Color – Should have a dull grayness color with dark ends.
- Bark – A sure sign is when the bark is falling off the wood.
- Cracks – Begins to split on the ends and displays cracks.
- Touch – It is much lighter to pick up.
- Sound – Makes a clear clunk when two pieces are hit together.
Firewood Tips
- Your wood should be cut 6 months to a year before burning.
- A “standard cord” of wood measures 4′ high by 4′ wide by 8′ long.
- Always store your wood away from the home and on a rack, to deter bugs and moisture.
- Never burn construction scraps, painted & stained wood or railroad ties, they release toxins.
- Artificial logs are made up of sawdust, glue and chemicals which still produces creosote.
Do you carry any type of fireplace accessories?
We carry only Chimney Caps and Top Sealing Dampers.
How do you clean a chimney without making a mess?
A drop cloth is set up in front of the fireplace to place all of our equipment on. We use extension rods and several types of specialty brushes designed for your type of fireplace. The unit is swept thoroughly from the bottom up and if roof access allows we will then sweep from the top down.
The key element to the process is our highly specialized high-volume vacuum cleaner called a “Soot Sweeper.” This compact monster moves 700 cubic feet of air per minute, which is eight to ten times the capacity of your average shop vacuum. It is equipped with two filters for maximum protection of your home. This is a very clean and efficient process with no dust or debris getting into your home.
We offer an “Absolute, No Mess Cleaning” with our state-of-the-art equipment and tools. A chimney cleaning always includes a visual inspection over the unit to make sure your fireplace is visibly sound.
What areas do you service?
We provide valley wide service in the Greater Phoenix Area. If you live in the far outer areas, your area could be serviced only seasonally and with a possible trip charge. Please call to confirm.
Where can I buy firewood?
Please visit Paul Bunyan’s Firewood or call them at (480) 820-0633.
