Pro-Vac Chimney Sweeps

The N.F.P.A. (National Fire Protection Association) recommends yearly inspections to determine if your chimney needs cleaning and is safe to the current standards.

Most of our customers have annual cleanings; however, some can go two or even three years between cleanings and others require two cleanings per year.

Your woodburning habits will determine the frequency of chimney cleanings you require–factors such as the type of wood you use, how long ago the wood was cut, how hot a fire you have (low, smoldering fires create more dangerous creosote), and of course how often you have a fire. It is best to play it safe and have yearly inspections to determine the condition of your chimney.

Most people think the best time to have their chimney checked and cleaned is in the early fall before the burning season. However, the best time is actually right after the burning season in the spring.

Creosote residue is acidic. When spring moisture arrives and the carbon deposits get wet, it becomes even more acidic and can cause serious damage to the stainless steel liner.  Also, during the hot summer months, humidity and creosote combine to cause an unpleasant sooty odor around your fireplace area. A spring service call will help to minimize these problems.

Another problem that can occur is birds nesting in your chimney. During the spring and summer, Birds raise their young in uncapped chimneys. By having us out in the spring, we can make sure your chimney is securely capped and prevent animals and debris from entering the flue, becoming a nuisance and a health hazard.

You can avoid a long waiting period by calling before the fall rush. If an inspection reveals a problem with your chimney, it can be repaired during the offseason. By having your chimney cleaned and repaired in the spring and summer, your fireplace will be ready for you to use when the first cool spell comes in the fall.

It only takes a few brushes, a vacuum, and a ladder for someone to call themselves a chimney sweep. Yet it takes years of training and experience to be skilled in the trade as a true professional. In order to ensure a level of expertise within the chimney sweeping trade, the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) developed the Certified Chimney Sweep Program. Now administered through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the educational department of the NCSG, a certified sweep has demonstrated a knowledge of current local code requirements, the physics of burning wood and creosote formation, technical issues related to draft, chimney dynamics, and the tools and techniques of the trade. Also, a thorough knowledge of the National Fire Protection Association’s code book “211–Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances” is a must.

Becoming certified means taking and passing an exam, every three years, demonstrating a knowledge and understanding of the information contained in the CSIA study manual as well as the information found in the NFPA codebook 211. The study manual is revised regularly and kept up to date on new equipment, current regulations and codes, and any changes in the solid fuel industry. The exam that the certified sweep must pass is thorough, technical, and broad-based. The only legitimate certification is issued through the CSIA, and the certified chimney sweep has a badge to prove it along with the CSIA logo in all advertising.

The very fact that we have taken the time, spent the money and devoted the energy to becoming certified means we care a great deal about giving you the very best service possible. Being certified means we have the ability to evaluate your chimney from an educated perspective as well as the ability to make sound, knowledgeable recommendations. Our certification by the CSIA is your assurance that we are committed to our business and are up to date with being the very best we can be in our industry.