The distinctions between sweeping and examining a chimney are small, however, incredibly significant. Cleaning it is going to remove any debris that has developed over a period of time and an examination is an expert analysis of the entire system, its condition, and, of course, the structure of it.
If you are thinking about whether you require a cleaning or examination of your chimney, this article might be quite helpful for you, especially since you’ll be able to determine exactly what you must do. The text below will explain both procedures, and, of course, why doing these things is important. Let’s take a closer look at the article:
Furnace Cleaning: Explained
If you want your chimney to work efficiently and safely, professional sweeping service is one of the most important things that you could opt for. During this process, an expert will complete several things including removing any debris and buildup, investigating the basic elements, they will use a vacuum for picking out the ash, dust, and dirt, and they will remove any clogs that might have occurred.
Once they finish everything, there will be on creosote – which is similar to tar. This is incredibly important since this material can catch fire and then spread throughout your house. If you want to see what professional services you can opt for, check out doctorchimney.com for more information.
If you use the heating system often, you should clean it at least two times every year. Once before the winter season begins, and once it is over. The sweeping done before winter will ensure that there are no obstacles in it – which can occur if there was a nest on top of it – and cleaning it after will ensure that the tar does not build up.
Furnace Examinations: Explained
An inspection will include the examination of both the exterior and interior of the chimney. This means that the expert will look for any crack in the structure, if any caps are damaged, as well as any broken flues. The entire process revolves around these things, however, there are three types that you can opt for depending on your situation:
- Level 1 – this is the most basic type, that is incredibly important if you did not change the system for a very long time. These examinations are usually done by the expert that is sweeping your furnace.
- Level 2 – if you did make some changes to the system, you’ll be required to do this review. The changes in question can revolve around the fuel type, the shape of it, the material in it, as well as replacing the entire system or an addition of an appliance.
- Level 3 – when the previously mentioned types determine there is a hidden danger and when the exam cannot be done without specific equipment that can be used for accessing the area of the furnace, one of the best things you can opt for is a level 3 review. It will ensure that everything works well, and if there is a need for replacing or rebuilding it, a level 3 examination can determine what you need to do.
When it comes to how often you should inspect the system, a wide range of experts suggest that you should do it at least once a year. This means that they will not have any leaks, cracks, deposits, and it will also ensure that there are no obstacles in the way.
If you use your fireplace or vent frequently, you’ll need to monitor everything more closely since frequently using it can create an additional buildup of tar and soot. Additionally, do not forget to clean your fireplace every year – and yes, this means that gas ones need cleaning too.
The Benefits You Can Gain From a Chimney Sweep And Inspection
Besides ensuring that your system is efficient and working properly, as well as that there are no damages to the structure of it, there are some other benefits that you can gain from choosing to sweep and inspect your furnace at least once a year, including:
1. It’ll Keep Everyone in The House Safe
There is probably nothing more important to you than keeping your family members and yourself safe while enjoying the heat your fireplace produces. And, as you already know, chimneys are what allows the toxins, smoke, and fumes to exit your house. So, a clean chimney means a much safer and efficient home heating system.
2. It Prevents Fires
As mentioned earlier in the article, tar can easily build up on the walls, which can easily catch fire. Now, do not worry, this happens to all chimneys when people burn wood. The tar produced is one of the main causes of fires and by regularly inspecting and cleaning your chimney, you’ll be able to rest assured that everything is okay with it.
3. You’ll Meet The Insurance Policy Requirements
You might not know this, but, some insurance policies do require people to annually inspect and sweep their chimney – and most people do not realize this until it is too late. This means that they will not cover the costs of the damages caused by a fireplace if you do not have proof that it was previously cleaned and examined. Hence, it might be a good idea to opt for these services at least once a year.
4. It Could Help You Avoid Expensive Repairs
Just like anything else in life, regularly taking care of your heating system can prevent expensive repairs later on. It is always better to repair it when the issue is first noticed, hence, you won’t be paying a lot of money for the repairs that need to be done. This means that you can even save some money by annually inspecting and cleaning your heating system.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are major differences between the two procedures. However, both sweeping and inspecting your chimney is crucial not only for the safety of your house but, for your safety as well. So, now that you know what you should do, do not waste any more time. Instead, start searching for a company that can both inspect and sweep your chimney in order for it to be safe, as well as work efficiently.
