Preparing for Your Chimney Sweeping
Before the chimney sweep professional arrives, there are a few things you should do to prepare for the appointment. The company you’ve contacted will also reiterate these steps when you call to set up the appointment so the site will be prepared when they arrive.- Clear your fireplace mantle and surrounding area: obviously, the chimney sweep will be spending a lot of time at the base of the chimney near and in the fireplace. You want to clear this entire area off for them so it makes it easier to work and so nothing gets knocked off and broken. Remove fireplace tools or anything else that surrounds the fireplace that could be knocked over or in the way.
- Clean inside your fireplace: don’t forget to gather any unburned or leftover wood that remains in the firebox so you can clear the way for the inspector.
During Your Chimney Sweep Inspection
When your chimney sweep professional arrives for the appointment, they’ll first begin by setting up a work area. This includes placing a tarp around the fireplaces to prevent your living spaces from being covered in soot and dirt. Other items may need to be moved out of the way like furniture, which you can assist the technician in pushing these items away should this be required. Next, your chimney will be evaluated for inspection and cleaning. Special tools like a dust collection vacuum are used and will be run during this process. Your damper may be removed, and your chimney’s flue will be cleaned. A flexible rod with a brush head is used to clean the interior of the chimney, and with the soot and ash vacuum running, there will be no ash or soot escaping into your living areas.![Chimney sweep tools.](https://vertical-chimney-care.lndo.site/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/chimney-sweep-tools.jpg)