Summer is a great time to do so many things. Many people like to start an exercise program so they can take advantage of the beautiful summer weather after those long, cold winter evenings. It’s also a good time to take on some house updates or repair jobs. After all, working outside in the warm weather is much better than facing the bitter cold. Vacation planning is a big part of summer activities, whether you decide to take a long trip and see more of the great United States or just want to see more of what New York has to offer. One job that fits right into summer planning is getting your annual chimney inspection and sweeping scheduled. Any homeowner with a fireplace knows that this is an important part of maintenance and upkeep, but not everyone knows why this is so important.

Inspection: What Are We Looking For?

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends having your chimney inspected on a yearly basis. When you call Alpine Chimney Sweeps to come and complete an inspection, we know just what to look for. One of the first things we’ll check is how much creosote has built up over the course of the winter. Creosote is a highly flammable substance, and as little as an eighth of an inch is enough to cause a chimney fire that can wreak substantial damage to your home. Another thing that we’ll take a look at is whether there are any blockages from nests, leaves, twigs, or other debris that may have blown into your chimney. Blockages, too, are a fire hazard, and we’ll get these removed.

We’ll also be looking for chimney damage. Did you know that you can have a small chimney fire without even being aware of it? In fact, this is the case with most chimney fires, simply because there isn’t enough oxygen in your chimney to keep it burning. Even if you don’t realize it’s happening, an undetected chimney fire can cause major damage to the structure of your chimney, and this could be allowing dangerous gases to flow back into your home rather than up and out through your chimney.

When we come in and inspect, we’ll also be checking out the major components of your chimney, like your chimney cap, the chimney crown, and the flashing to make sure that these are all secure, not cracked or broken, and in excellent working condition. All of these are great lines of defense against precipitation getting into your home.

Summer is the Time to Call

Summertime is the perfect time to give us a call at 877-226-1739 or visit Alpine Chimney Sweeps and set up your annual inspection and sweeping. Autumn is our busy season, so to avoid the rush and schedule at your own convenience, give us a call today. We look forward to making sure your chimney and fireplace are clean and safe!