Fireplace Chimney Sweeper

Chimney Sweepers have existed for around 200 years. Poems by William Blake and a rich tradition of good luck follow the life of the modern chimney sweeper cleaning chimneys in America, Europe, and especially England. Midtown Chimney Sweeps carry General Liability Insurance,  and are qualified to sweep wood burning chimneys in commercial and  residential single family and multi-family dwellings by the Certified Chimney Professionals certification. Having a regular annual visit from a qualified Midtown Chimney Sweeper will help reduce the risk of a chimney fire.  At Midtown Chimney Sweeps we take numerous precautions and steps to ensure that we inspect all visible portions of your fireplace or wood stove or pellet stove or gas fireplace. All manufacturers of fireplaces chimneys and vents recommend annual chimney sweeping, chimney cleaning, and chimney inspection. We continue here with a short list of commonly used vocabulary.

Chimney Sweeper Terminology/Vocabulary

It is important to learn some of the chimney sweepers vocabulary which is used in all 50 states:

• Chimney- the entire large structure that conveys exhaust gases to the outside atmosphere.
• Flue- the inner portion of the chimney that comes into direct contact with the byproducts of combustion.  Technically we sweep flues- not chimneys!
• Soot- soft, usually light-weight and fluffy, black or brown dust in the chimney and firebox left after burning.
• Creosote- can be of several types, including a gummy tar-like substance or hard flaky material and glazed creosote coating the inside of the chimney or firebox after burning.
• Firebox- the square brick enclosure area where the fire grate sits, holding the wood and the open flame.
• NFPA 211- the National Code for Chimneys, Fireplaces and Vents; it recommends the annual inspection and cleaning of every chimney and fireplace and wood stove and pellet stove.
• Chimney fire- a high heat event wherein the soot and creosote on the inside walls of the chimney actually begins to burn and flames shoot up the entire length of the flue. Temperatures can exceed 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (although we have not actually held a thermometer in there to prove this)
• Green wood- firewood burned in a wood stove or fireplace should not be too green- moisture should not exceed 15%-25%. You can buy a $20 wood moisture meter on Amazon.com if this helps. If you cut a tree down and burn it within 12 months, the wood will likely be too green. This will release microscopic tar droplets into the air, drift up the chimney, and result in gummy creosote and finally glazed creosote which must be removed chemically from the chimney. We get paid extra for that J so burn seasoned wood!

 The benefits of having an annual Chimney Sweeper service are many:

One of the byproducts of the crackling fire that we all enjoy so much is creosote being carried up into the chimney’s flue. Some of the soot and creosote coats the walls because it cools and sticks as it drifts upward. If the creosote becomes thick, and a large fire is built so that flames reach up past the firebox into the chimney where the creosote is, it can catch fire. Fire can quickly and silently spread to other parts of the home. Heavy creosote can also hinder the flow of carbon monoxide, a dangerous, odorless gas, through the chimney and outside the home. Carbon monoxide, as everyone knows, can be a silent killer.

• Chimney Sweepers remove the soot and creosote from the wall of the flue.

• A clean chimney will also ensure that your fireplace is operating at its most efficient, which will provide homeowners the most heat while also reducing the amount of smoke that gets into the house.

Our goal at Midtown Chimney Sweeps is to offer our customers full chimney maintenance and cleaning services, so they’re never left to hazard the risks of chimney neglect. We offer expert chimney cleaning and repairs, designed to cover all your chimney and fireplace needs. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment! Midtown Chimney Sweeps services include:

• Cap Dampers
• Chimney Caps
• Chimney Rebuilds
• Fire Box Rebuilds
• Inspections
• Tuckpointing
• Relining
• Repairs
• Smoke Leaks
• Sweep
• Waterproofing

A well-designed system has the following performance characteristics:

• Fires light easily and burn bright and hot
• Draft builds quickly
• Lighting fires does not cause smoke to fill room
• Opening the door does not cause smoke to spill out
• Cold air and bad smells do not come out

We want to be your Sweep for Life. And that is why every technician wears a badge on his shoulder that says, Sweep for Life!

Regular chimney sweeping will reduce the chance of a chimney fire.

Regular chimney sweeping and chimney inspection by a Certified Midtown Chimney Sweeps technician will help reduce the risk of a chimney fire in your home. No absolute guarantee can be made that a chimney is risk-free due to hidden defects and changes due to usage. At Midtown Chimney Sweeps we take numerous precautions and steps to ensure that we inspect all visible portions of your fireplace or wood stove or pellet stove or gas fireplace. All manufacturers of fireplaces, chimneys and vents recommend annual chimney sweeping, and chimney inspection. The Fire Departments across America refer to a document called the NFPA 211 which recommends the annual inspection and cleaning of every chimney and fireplace and wood stove and pellet stove.