What Does a Chimney Sweep Do?
A chimney sweep is a professional who cleans ash and debris from chimneys. Chimneys use the pressure differential caused by a hot gas column to draw air up the chimney. This air moves over hot wood or coals. The chimney may be straight or have many changes of direction. Before hiring a Chimney Sweep, ask for references. A good chimney sweep should have a CSIA certification and business liability insurance. The CSIA Certified Professional Locator is also a good tool for finding a certified sweep in your area. However, it can be challenging to find a trustworthy sweep, so ask your friends and family for recommendations or read online reviews.
During the job, a Chimney Sweep will survey your home to determine the proper place to start cleaning. Move all furniture out of the way, so the sweep has easier access. Also, cover your fireplace. Chimney Sweeps want to make sure that your home is safe. For this reason, they are great resources for fireplace safety.
Independent chimney sweeps can earn up to $8,000 a year. This is a great job for someone with good communication skills and a keen eye for violations. In addition to that, they should be good at problem-solving. They should also enjoy working alone and staying busy while maintaining a professional appearance. Lastly, a Chimney Sweep should have a valid driver’s license and be physically fit.
After the chimney sweep inspects your home, the chimney sweep should provide a certificate of completion. Your insurance company can use this certificate to prove that you have hired a qualified chimney sweep. If you want to avoid hiring a Chimney Sweep regularly, you can burn well-seasoned wood that gives off fewer combustibles or purchase an efficient appliance that doesn’t need to be checked as often. It can also reduce the frequency of chimney inspections.
A Chimney Sweep will clean your chimney flue to remove debris and gunk that can cause a chimney fire. In addition, they will also remove the harmful creosote that forms during fires in your fireplace. These deposits are harmful to your health, so cleaning them out will ensure your safety every time you light a fire. While you’re waiting for the Chimney Sweep to arrive, remember to clean your home first.
The chimney sweeps’ profession began to decline in popularity as whites shifted away from the trade and hired black sweep boys from the South. . The first mechanical sweeper was invented in 1803, but was rejected in some countries. A better version was patented in 1828 by Joseph Glass, and he is credited with introducing the modern chimney sweep brush.
In 1840, the Chimney Sweepers and Chimneys Regulation Act made it illegal to sweep a chimney if you were under the age of 21 years. However, this law was widely ignored and failed to stop the practice. However, new legislation was passed in 1864 that made the job safer and more regulated. It also authorized the Board of Trade to inspect new chimneys.
A Chimney Sweep cleans your chimney, removing blockages and clearing debris. A good sweep will also minimize the amount of mess they leave behind. The process can take several hours and may include a chemical treatment. Some companies may also make minor repairs, such as replacing missing caps and damaged liners.
Chimney Sweeps can charge anywhere from $90 to $150 for an inspection. A professional sweep can also take photos of the inside of your chimney using lights or video cameras. A Chimney Sweep should be willing to share their inspection results with you and recommend any necessary repairs.
You can get a Chimney Sweep to clean your chimney if you have any animals living in it. Animals love chimneys because they are dark and protected from the elements. However, a chimney fire can be dangerous for animals, so chimney sweeps are trained to remove any animals that live there safely. Additionally, chimney sweeps have tools to clean up the area after their work.
Most chimney sweeps perform the inspection on the same visit. This allows them to check the entire system for problems, including hidden flaws. CSIA-certified chimney sweeps perform Level One and Level Two inspections, which are a 33-point process designed to assess the overall condition of the chimney. This thorough inspection allows homeowners to determine whether repairs or preventative maintenance are necessary.