As a homeowner, you want to take excellent care of your home and keep all of your family members safe. Chimney sweeps are an integral part of that goal, as they help to remove flammable material and obstacles from the chimney and ensure the structure of the chimney is sound. When do you know that it’s time to call a chimney sweep to help solve your problem?

Fire Season Is Here

As the weather gets colder, it’s time to light a fire in your chimney! Before you do so, give your chimney sweep a call to clean out the chimney and remove any debris that accumulated over the summer. A quick inspection can also make sure there are no masonry or structural issues that you need to have taken care of.

Your Fires Are Changing

Whenever your chimney is free from creosote and plant matter or wildlife obstructions, your fire will burn efficiently. If you notice changes in how your fires burn, like your fireplace is making more smoke or you smell a strange odor when you light a fire, you should always call a chimney sweep. Creosote build-up can smell like charred wood, and dirt, mildew and wildlife can all also create unpleasant smells.

Your Damper Isn’t Working Properly

The damper at the top of your chimney lets air enter the chimney. If you find that it is not opening and closing smoothly, it might need to be repaired. Dampers that are not working properly can cause creosote to accumulate rapidly inside of the chimney. Other signs of damper problems include smoke entering your home from the fireplace and fires that don’t seem to be burning as hot as they used to.

You Can’t Remember Your Last Visit

Finally, one of the biggest signs you should call a chimney sweep is not remembering the last time that you had one over to inspect and clean your chimney. The CSIA suggests that homeowners have their chimneys inspected annually, even if they did not use their fireplace frequently over the course of the year.

Clean Sweep Is Here to Help!

Call Clean Sweep Maryland today at 410-558-1111 for professional chimney sweep, slate roofing and duct cleaning services designed to keep all of your listed properties clean and safe for sellers and buyers. If you have a prospective home buyer or home seller in need of a slate roof inspection or repairs, we are here to help.