Chimney sweep in Windhover with written pricing first

Bringing back a fireplace idle for years

A fireplace that has not been lit in years can look ready while the flue says otherwise. Nests, leaves, fallen mortar and old deposits that took on moisture can all sit above the damper, out of sight.

Our technicians start with the free inspection before anyone strikes a match, then sweep the flue, clear the smoke shelf and work the damper until it moves freely. Old ash comes out of the firebox and out of any cleanout at the base of the chimney.

The visual check after cleaning carries extra weight here, because years of idle time can hide water damage, cracked tile or a missing cap. Bringing a fireplace back in Windhover starts with knowing where things stand, so anything found goes on the written estimate before the first fire.

NFPA 211 and the yearly look at your chimney

NFPA 211, the national fire safety standard for chimneys, fireplaces and vents, asks for a chimney inspection at least every year, looking at whether the chimney is sound, whether deposits have built up and whether its clearances are right. Cleaning, maintenance and repair follow when the inspection shows they are needed.

In other words, cleaning depends on what is found. A fireplace used every week may need a sweep at each yearly check, while one lit a few times may not. Fire safety advice from NFPA and the U.S. Fire Administration says the same in plain terms, with chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.

We follow that order. The free inspection comes first, and a sweep is recommended when the deposits call for it. What the inspection found goes into your written record, so each year has something to compare against.

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

An older wood stove and the deposits it leaves

Older wood stoves were built before today's cleaner-burning designs. EPA guidance notes that newer stoves meeting its emission standards burn more efficiently and leave less creosote buildup in the chimney than older models.

That does not make an older stove unsafe by itself, but its chimney tends to collect deposits faster and deserves close attention. Hot fires and dry wood help any stove, old or new.

When our crew sweeps an older stove's chimney, the deposits and the connector pipe show how it is doing. A rusting pipe or worn door gaskets are noted as their own items, each with a plain description of what our crew saw. Replacing a stove is your call, and we do not push it. Either way, the sweep itself is the same careful job.