Chimney sweep and soot removal for Rose Isle homes

Smoke at the opening with more than one cause

EPA guidance expects a well-installed, properly used wood-burning appliance to make little smoke, so smoke you see or smell again and again is a sign something is wrong. Heavy deposits are one possible cause, since they narrow the flue. They are not always the only one.

Under the Florida Building Code, the throat, damper and smoke chamber above a masonry firebox together form a passage that must be at least as large as the flue. A damper that does not open fully, a clogged cap screen or wet wood can each leave smoke rolling out of the front as well.

A sweep removes the deposits, and the damper and cap screen get tested on the same visit. If smoke still comes out afterward, the other causes are next, and our technicians note on the record what they checked and what still needs a look.

What our 24/7 emergency line is for

Fire, smoke and carbon monoxide come first. If a fire is burning in the chimney, smoke is filling the room or a CO alarm is sounding, get everyone out of the house and call 911 before calling anyone else.

After that, the 24/7 emergency line is there for chimney problems that cannot wait for a regular appointment. An animal has dropped into the firebox, a cap is hanging off the chimney, the damper is stuck open with debris falling through it, or the fire department has told you not to use the fireplace until it is checked.

Our crew in Rose Isle secures the problem first, whether that means removing debris, closing off the flue or covering an open top, and then gives you a written estimate for the permanent fix. The free inspection still comes before any repair.

Cleaning the chimney in a home you just bought

A newly bought home comes with a chimney whose history you do not know. The last owner may have burned every weekend or not at all, and the listing seldom says when the flue was last cleaned.

Our crew treats an unknown history as unknown. The free inspection shows what is in the flue now, and the sweep removes it, so you start with a clean system and a record in your own name. If a home inspection report flagged the chimney, keep it handy for the visit, since those notes help focus the visual check.

Any repair items found are listed separately from the cleaning, which helps if repair questions are still open with the seller. For new owners in Rose Isle, the written record from this first visit becomes the start of the chimney's file.

Getting your fireplace ready for the sweep

The fireplace needs to be cold. Plan the last fire at least a day ahead so the ash and firebox have cooled completely before the crew arrives.

Our crew brings the drop cloths, covers and tools, so you do not need to cover anything yourself. Leave the damper where it is, and do not try to open a stuck one or pull out an insert before the visit, since forcing parts can damage them.

If the yard has a locked gate, a dog or a tricky spot for the ladder, mention it when you set up the visit so the day goes smoothly.

• No fire for at least a day before the visit
• A clear path from the door to the hearth
• Pets and children kept in another room
• Fragile items moved off the mantel