Tag Archive for: professional tips

A Chimney with ciimney damage on top of a house

Homebuyer Beware: Spot These 6 Signs of Chimney Damage Before You Buy

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Owning a home is a dream most people have and work towards. While shopping around for your ideal home, you must have a checklist to ensure you pick one that meets all your needs and is safe for you and your family.

Top on the house checklist you need to assess is the state of the chimney, as buying a home with a damaged chimney can lead to extra costs in terms of repair. Below are six signs of chimney damage to look out for before you buy.

Six Signs of Chimney Damage To Look Out For Before You Buy:

1. Deteriorated or Cracked Mortar Joints

Worn-out mortar joints vastly increase the level of moisture leaking into a chimney. During the cold seasons, especially winter, the water that seeps in will freeze, then expand, leading to more damage to the chimney.

Once the cracks form, they let heat and smoke escape in areas they shouldn’t. But the most significant risk is the probability of collapse when most of the bricks creating the chimney lose stability due to deep cracks.

Even when regularly maintained, mortar joints can still develop cracks from wear and tear. So patiently look at the chimney; if you observe spaces or gaps, the duct is damaged.

Sometimes, you won’t see the mortar joints from the exterior, but you can hire a professional to check the interior for you.

2. Smokey or Foul Smell

Creosote is the primary byproduct of burning wood, so if the previous homeowners used the fireplace frequently, chances are there is a lot of creosote clinging to the flue liner. You will realize such if you notice a smokey or foul smell indoors.

Unfortunately, creosote doesn’t only cause bad smells. Toxic gasses from burning wood require a clear pathway to clear safely. However, excess creosote will block these gases from clearing out, which affects your home’s air quality.

Plus, using a chimney with creosote buildup increases the chances of accidentally starting a house fire.

3. Spalling Bricks

Bricks are absorbent. So moisture will enter the brick masonry and slowly break it apart after a while. Similar to deteriorated mortar joints, this will be exasperated during the cold season, when water freezes inside these bricks.

Common causes of spalling include;

  • Use of low-quality components, particularly in prefabricated houses
  • Extreme weather
  • Old bricks
  • Using high-powered washers while cleaning the masonry

If considering an old home, thoroughly check for spalling bricks in the chimney. Such places have been exposed to the elements for an extended period; hence the bricks may be worn out

4. Worn-out Flashing

Chimney flashing refers to a metal sheet that acts as a watertight seal between the roof and the chimney. Flashing doesn’t easily get damaged, but after a long period of use, it will also get worn out.

If you notice rust in spots between the flashing and the roof, it indicates water damage. Water dripping into your home’s roof can lead to mold, wood rot, and other issues.

Corners are especially vulnerable to such rust, so check them thoroughly. You can repair slightly worn-out flashing. However, experts recommend getting a new one.

5. Paint and Wallpaper Damage Near the Chimney

When you notice paint or wallpaper peeling close to the chimney, it’s a sure sign that it is damaged. The mortar or brick in the interior may have cracked or chipped, or the flue liner could be faulty. 

In some instances, the problem could arise if the previous homeowners installed a gas fireplace and failed to buy the recommended flue liners.

6. Shaking Flue Tiles 

Inside a chimney, you will find a flue liner that directs air flow up and outside the house and protects the bricks from heat.

A faulty flue liner can cause a lot of harm, including poor air circulation inside the house, and the heat will damage the bricks.

If you see tiny slices of the flue liner in the firebox, it’s an indication of shaling complications.

Unfortunately, most liner problems aren’t easy to detect for an average homebuyer, as the ladder runs through the chimney. Hence, once you pick a house, you must inspect it using a certified and professional chimney sweep.

Professional Chimney Cleaning, Repair, and More in Northern Virginia

Chimney problems worsen over time and may cause severe damage to your home or life-threatening issues for you and your family. That’s why you must buy a home with a perfectly working chimney.

We at Sixpenny Chimney can do chimney inspections for you and carry out regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure it always works optimally. Call us for a quote today.

types of gutters

4 Types of Gutters That Will Transform Your Home’s Curb Appeal

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Most people overlook gutters’ role in a house’s appearance, especially in the curb area. This post looks at the four types of gutters you can use to make a statement and enhance your home’s curb appeal.

4 Types of Gutters:

1. Half-Round Gutters

These gutters have a curved lip and semicircular design. It’s because of their round design that they also feature circular downspouts. 

Half-round gutters are available in 6- and 5-inch widths. A majority of houses built before and up to 1960 have these gutters. So, they work well in brick or historic houses.

Some local regulations may require installing half-round gutters if you live in a historic neighborhood.

Pros of Half-Round Gutters

  • They are suited for areas that experience heavy rainfall and are highly durable.
  • They possess a traditional, attractive design that will boost your house’s curb appeal.

Cons of Half-Round Gutters

  • More susceptible to debris accumulation
  • It can be expensive and challenging to install

2. K-Style Gutters

These types of gutters are the most popular as they are easy to install, especially if you like DIY. K-style gutters are similar to half-round gutters, for they come in 6-to-5-inch widths. The difference is that K-style gutters have rectangular downspouts.

Thanks to their flattened backs, you don’t require brackets to nail K-style gutters on your fascia boards. However, it’s more difficult to clean these gutters as their inner angles collect debris easily.

Pros of K-Style Gutters

  • An affordable and standard option
  • They don’t require brackets to place on fascia boards.

Cons of K-Style Gutters

  • They have an angled profile which makes them challenging to clean.

3. Box-Style Gutters

These are oversized gutters specifically designed to deal with heavy rainfall. Box gutters come in 8- or 7-inch widths, though some can go up to 10 inches. 

Because of their vast size, experts recommend box-style gutters for large roofs. So, you will find them mostly on industrial or commercial buildings.

Additionally, you can’t hang box gutters on a roof’s edge. Instead, you will require a high back section under your roof’s shingles. Therefore, you can only install these gutters when the house is still under construction.

Pros of Box-Style Gutters

  • More durable compared to other designs
  • Abel to withstand heavy rainfall

Cons of Box-Style Gutters

  • Expensive to install 
  • Minimal aesthetic appeal

4. Custom Fascia Gutters

These are customized gutters that have a contemporary seamless look. You will need to work with a professional to install fascia gutters. The professional will create a personalized system using a long aluminum piece. The aluminum is tailor-made to meet your roof’s pitch and home measurements.

Also, it’s worth noting that fascia gutters cost almost twice the price of K-style or half-round gutters.

Pros of Custom Fascia Gutters

  • Can handle heavy rainfall 
  • Securely attached to your house’s fascia boards, so they can’t fall off easily.

Cons of Custom Fascia Boards

  • Hard to install 
  • Require frequent cleaning

Gutter Materials

Aluminum Gutters

They are rust-resistant, lightweight, and easy to use if you enjoy DIY. Aluminum gutters have a 20-to-30-year lifespan, though they are more likely to develop cracks.

Copper Gutters

Extremely durable, copper gutters don’t bend, rust, or warp when faced with severe weather conditions. Also, they give your house a unique look. However, copper gutters are costly, and you will need a professional to install them.

Zinc Gutters

These are the easiest-to-maintain gutter options. Zinc gutters have an inbuilt sealing patina that prevents the formation of cracks and scratches.

Due to their study nature, you avoid frequent gutter repairs in their up to 80-year lifespan.

Vinyl Gutters

Vinyl gutters are cheap and straightforward to install, making them a favorite among DIYers. Made from PVC and plastic, vinyl gutters have a short lifespan compared to other systems; they can last 10 to 20 years.

In addition, these gutters deteriorate fast, more so in wet climates. If you live in highly humid areas, it would be preferable to consider metal gutters like copper or steel.

Galvanized Steel Gutters

Compared to aluminum gutters, galvanized steel gutters are sturdier and more durable. However, you will need a professional to install them, as they require soldering. These gutters do well on houses that experience a lot of rainfall and hot seasons. 

Galvanized steel gutters can last 20 to 30 years, though they can quickly develop rust if you don’t maintain them correctly.

Let the Professionals at Sixpenny in Northern Virginia Help

Consider the information above to decide which gutter style and material best suits your home’s design and needs. Also, it’s better to involve a professional as it would ensure proper gutter installation.

We at Sixpenny Chimney have well-trained professionals ready to help you choose a gutter style, handle the installation and do regular maintenance. Contact us for a quote today.

Several birds sitting in a gutter on top of a roof as one of the common gutter problems homeowners face.

6 Most Common Gutter Problems to Look Out For

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Rainwater gutters provide a simple yet necessary solution by preventing water from running off rooftops while it rains. They also protect the foundation and walls of your building from getting damaged by rainwater.

However, you can face many structural and safety issues when gutters stop functioning correctly. So, to avoid such a scenario, we have outlined six of the most common gutter problems you can check for and how to solve them early on.

6 Most Common Gutter Problems Homeowners Face with Solutions

1. Blocked Gutters

While gutters are primarily designed to catch and direct water running off the roof, they also, unfortunately, hold other materials in the process. These materials include twigs, leaves, and other items blown by the wind into them, and when these items build up after some time, they cause blockages.

Once your gutters are blocked, they won’t be able to drain the rainwater effectively and will start overflowing.

Solution

Get a ladder and check where there is a blockage in the gutter system; this could be in the hopper head or downpipe. After identifying the material, proceed to remove all of it, then pour some water to check that it flows smoothly.

2. Sagging Gutters

Gutters will start sagging when they have too much weight inside them that the support brackets can’t manage. The excess weight can result from blockages, snow build-up in winter, or improper system installation.

Experts advise that gutters support brackets are installed at least 1 meter apart or closer if you are in an area experiencing heavy snowfall or with a steep roof. Also, support brackets should be 150mm after any stop end, joint, or bend.

When your gutters lack sufficient support brackets, you will encounter frequent sagging.

Solution

Remove all the debris present, as they cause blockage and add unnecessary stress on supports and joints.

Install snow guards to prevent snow from accumulating in the gutters. When you let the snow increase, it can become surprisingly heavy. So, installing the guards will hold off the snow mounds and allow the melt water to run undisturbed.

You should also add more support brackets to hold the gutters firmly in place.

3. Plants Growing in Gutters

Once you see flowers, weeds, or grass growing in your gutters, it’s a sign they haven’t been cleaned for a long time. When debris like soil and rainwater mix, it creates an ideal environment for plant growth.

The plants will cause a blockage and even attract squirrels, mice, birds, and rats.

Solution

Clean the gutters regularly to reduce the chances of soil or debris building up to host wayward seeds.

4. Incorrect Gutter Fall

If all your gutters are perfectly level, there won’t be any gravity to push water to the downpipe when it rains. So, some water could remain on the channels after rainfall instead of flowing down.

Worse yet, when there is heavy rainfall, the gutters won’t be able to drain the water quickly, and they will overflow. If you have observed that your gutters are constantly overflowing, yet, they aren’t clogged; it might be due to an incorrect fall.

A gentle fall into the downpipe will increase the gutters’ capacity and help prevent such issues.

Solution

Take out all the support brackets and install each so that they gently angle down the gutters to the downpipe.

5. Inadequate Guttering

If your gutter system isn’t correctly sized to meet your property needs, it could be why you always have issues like overflows, clogging, and flooding.

Your roof’s surface area, slope angle, and rainfall intensity in your area all determine the style and size of the gutter required.

Solution

Try and increase the system’s capacity by ensuring it has a sufficient fall or add more downpipes. However, doing so can be costly, so replacing the current system with a new one that’s correctly sized is a better option.

6. Water Freezing in Gutters

During winter, when the temperatures are low, water in the gutters will condense into ice. Once water shifts to ice, it expands and then when there’s heat, and the ice melts into water, it contracts.

The repetitive cycle of expanding and contracting can damage your gutters by distorting their shape, splitting joints, and loosening push-fit brackets.

Solution

The only option here is to pour warm water into the gutters so it melts away the ice. The problem is, doing so speeds up the contraction and will still affect the system.

Ideally, it is preferable to prevent the problem from arising by cleaning the gutters and checking that they gently slope to the downpipe to avoid water accumulating in them.

Sixpenny Chimney — Professionals in Gutter Repair, Cleaning & More

Hopefully, we have outlined common gutter problems you are facing and provided a solution for how to solve it. However, if you have difficulty cleaning or removing debris, contact Sixpenny Chimney in Northern Virginia today or give us a call at 703-491-8697. Our dedicated team is ready to handle all your gutter needs.

Several air ducts on a building with new homes who's air ducts need to be cleaned.

Moving into a New Home? 6 Reasons to Have the Air Ducts Cleaned

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f Moving into a new home is a thrilling and memorable experience. Of course, you have a list of things to do, like fitting the rooms for furniture and windows for curtains, repainting the walls, and more.

While preparing a new home, most people forget to clean the air ducts, which is essential as it will ensure you and your family enjoy the cleanest air possible and give your house a homey feel. Let’s look at six reasons to have air ducts cleaned in a new home.

1. Remove Mold

You should remove all potential allergens from your environment, especially if you or a family member suffer from allergies.

Mold ranks high among allergens, and mold spores can cause allergic reactions like wheezing, headaches, itching, and running nose.

It can thrive inside and outside your house, so you should check for it in damp places such as basements, the kitchen, and bathrooms.

Mold can also grow inside an HVAC system, and it’s extremely challenging to go through the whole system looking for it. Hence it’s preferable to have a professional inspect the air ducts and remove any mold.

2. Remove Dander and Pet Hair

Being a pet parent is fulfilling; they love us unconditionally and brighten our days. While pets such as fish and reptiles don’t have any dander or fur, cats and dogs can give you a mild or severe allergic reaction, especially if you have a dander allergy.

A report by the American Lung Association states that more than 161 million cats and dogs stay in American households. So, the chances of you moving into a house that previously had a cat or dog are high. Therefore, cleaning your new home’s air ducts is critical before settling in.

3. Ensure the HVAC System Runs Efficiently

There are numerous reasons why an HVAC system may not function as it should. The ductwork may leak, air filters can be dirty, and items could have fallen into the system, damaging the ductwork.

Due to one or two of these reasons, a faulty HVAC system can significantly raise your cooling or heating bills.

Before moving into a new building, it’s better to mitigate the risk of an ineffective HVAC system by cleaning and inspecting the ducts.

4. Keep Away Unwanted Guests

Insects and rodents like mice and rats are attracted to dark, unkempt, dirty places. Keeping air ducts clean will help get rid of any creepy crawlers that could be lurking in them. It will also discourage other animals that feed on these insects from entering the ductwork.

5. Remove Debris and Dust

You may want to paint or renovate some rooms to personalize your new home.

Dust from the painting and sanding may accumulate inside the air ventilation system, and trade workers don’t usually clean them.

Additionally, they could leave items in the vents while working. For such reasons, air duct cleaning will ensure clean air circulation and prevent breathing discomfort.

6. Get Rid of Old “Lifestyle” and Cooking Smells from Previous Owners

People have different lifestyle choices, which you may not be comfortable with. Cleaning the air ducts of your new home will help clear all lingering cooking or smoking smells from previous house occupants. Doing so will make you feel comfortable in your new environment.

Tips For Finding a Qualified Professional to Clean Your Air Ducts

Homeowners generally find air duct cleaning to be stressful and time-consuming — which it is. So, stepping back and having a professional do the work is preferable.

Finding one that will provide excellent service will be easy if you know what to check for.

Here are some factors to consider:

Does the company have all the credentials?

Check that the HVAC cleaning company has the necessary credentials and is insured. Ask if they have a surety bond and liability coverage for more protection.

What’s their experience?

You’ll need to choose a company with enough experience cleaning air ducts and working with HVAC systems. That way, you lower the chances of costly mistakes and ensure effective cleaning.

Research Their Workmanship

Has the company received any positive reviews and ratings? What do their past clients say about their services?

It’s always better to work with an expert who provides a customer-centric service that will meet all your needs. You can check their website for such information.

Sixpenny Chimney — Professional Air Duct Cleaners in Northern Virginia

Cleaning your air ducts before moving into your new home and regularly after will ensure you keep away the allergens and always have fresh air.

Sixpenny Chimney in Northern Virginia offers exceptional air duct cleaning, HVAC maintenance, and replacement services.

Whether you want to install an air purification system or even clean the chimney, we can do that for you. Contact us today for more information.

A person holding their thermostat control examining it for any HVAC myths.

HVAC Myths You Swore Were True

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Many HVAC myths appear to be wishful thinking rather than based on any facts. And unfortunately, if you center your HVAC operation and maintenance on these misconceptions, you’ll probably end up being more out of pocket than if you followed recommended procedures. See these five HVAC myths you swore were true and save yourself some hard-earned cash.

1. The Larger the HVAC System, the Better

One of the prominent HVAC myths is the misconception that larger systems are better for home comfort and air quality. Sure, a bigger furnace or air-conditioning unit will pump out more hot or cold air quicker than an undersized unit. But the right size equipment is selected to perform best for the square footage of your home.

If you buy a system larger than recommended for your home, there will be problems. Even heating and cooling throughout is more difficult, and energy use is higher. So, you’ve wasted money on buying the more expensive larger unit and spent more on energy overall for the year.

Short Cycling Causes Damage

One of the biggest problems with oversized HVAC equipment is short cycling. Because the system quickly heats or cools to the set temperature, it is prompted to start and stop repeatedly. The constant operating changes cause high wear and tear on system parts, shortening their lifespan.

2. Closing Off Air Vents is Another of the HVAC Myths

So many people follow this next myth to their detriment. They believe that vents should be closed off in rooms that aren’t actively used. They believe this will keep more and better air going through the high-use rooms in the home. Unfortunately, that’s not how central heating and cooling work.

HVAC systems are designed to balance the airflow and temperature in every room with vents. If vents are closed, the system sends the same air volume through the ducts, but the flow is no longer balanced. As a result, pressure builds up in the system, putting strain on ductwork. Eventually, this causes leaks in the ducts, with repairs necessary.

The increased strain on the system will also raise energy consumption and up your power bills.

3. Resetting Thermostats with Large Temperature Swings

More HVAC myths center around thermostat settings. On a scorching day, you may be tempted to drop the temperature by many degrees, believing this will quickly cool the house down. But this will merely result in higher energy costs.

Your HVAC system is designed to remove hot indoor air to outside the home at a constant pace. This process continues until the temperature in all rooms meets the average of the thermostat setting. A significant drop in the thermostat temperature setting doesn’t mean the HVAC equipment can work any faster. However, it is put under a lot of stress to achieve a lower temperature.

Overworking central air strains HVAC parts, shortening lifespan and raising energy costs. The process of quickly increasing the temperature with central heating has similar problems.

4. My HVAC is Running Just Fine, so I Can Skip Annual Maintenance

Skipping annual upkeep can hit your wallet hard. Maintenance by professional HVAC technicians and ductwork cleaners heads off many unseen problems that may be starting. By the time your system starts to show signs of trouble, damage to equipment has already happened. It’s a false economy to save on maintenance costs and then have to fork out money for repairs.

5. High-Efficiency Filters are Better than Standard Filters

Another of the HVAC myths that don’t stack up is around air filters. With continual advice from government departments and industry that efficiency is key to reducing energy costs, it’s natural that there can be confusion around high-efficiency equipment.

The use of HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorbing) air filters and standard air filters depends to a large extent on your circumstances. If you have family members who suffer from allergies or asthma, they may be significantly helped with HEPA parts. These air filters have a denser mesh that captures more airborne allergens and particles, resulting in higher air quality. But there are disadvantages.

As the thicker HEPA filter catches more airborne material, it clogs and reduces airflow. This puts strain on the system, leading to damage and shortened lifespan. HEPA filters must be regularly cleaned or replaced, more often than standard filters.

Professional Ductwork Cleaning in Northern Virginia

Six Penny Chimney provides expert fireplace and chimney cleaning services. Additionally, we can look after all your air duct cleaning requirements. Our friendly, high-quality work is no myth. Request a Quote or Service, and we will quickly respond. See you soon!

Person holding up their hand and coughing due to uncleaned air from polluted ductwork.

What’s That Smell? 5 Side Effects of Uncleaned Ductwork

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ectsOur homes should provide a healthy barrier from the onslaught of industrial chemicals and pollutants in the outdoor atmosphere. Nature throws in her fair share of air contaminants as well. Surprisingly, the air quality in our homes can be worse than that outside, and our home HVAC is often implicated. So, if you’re wondering, what’s that smell? See these five side effects of uncleaned ductwork and how to fix the problem.

1. Live and Kicking in Your Ductwork

Well-sealed ducts shouldn’t house live animals and insects, but nature is always enterprising and will breach any weak spots. Over time normal wear and tear, particularly around joins, will result in gaps forming and small holes opening, and if not attended to, parts of the ductwork may collapse.

Rodents, including mice, rats and squirrels, and all types of creepy crawlies, find shelter within ductwork that’s preferable to facing inclement weather outdoors. So they will take up residence, and it doesn’t take long for their droppings, urine, dander, and fur to emit unpleasant smells. And let’s not talk about the bacteria accompanying these by-products, producing intense odors from uncleaned ductwork.

A thorough professional cleaning is needed to get rid of these unwanted guests and their accompanying smells.

2. Natures Air-Borne Contaminants in Ductwork

The air outdoors always contains a concentration of allergens and pollutants, particularly in spring and summer. Mold, fungi, and pollen spores can easily lodge within your ductwork, particularly if the air filters are dirty and there is persistent dampness within the air ducts. These tiny outdoor pollutants only need an open door or window to make their way indoors.

A sign that you may have a high spore level in your HVAC is if family members are sneezing, coughing, or suffering from asthma when the cooling or heating is operating. Annual inspection and cleaning will help reduce any allergens residing in the system. In addition, special bio-sprays or bleach and other disinfectants may need to be used to kill off the spores permanently.

Another indicator of mold and mildew residing in the ductwork is a musty, earthy scent and the visible presence of black spots around vents.

3. Damp and Moisture in Air Ducts

Dank water, dampness, mold, and bacteria growth go hand-in-hand. There are several reasons why moisture can accumulate in the ductwork and cause issues. A leaking roof, damaged pipes, and condensed water vapor from air conditioner coils are all common ways that moisture gets into the air ducts.

Bacterial contaminants in ductwork flourish when stagnant pools of moisture form. Legionella is a dangerous bacteria that causes pneumonia in susceptible people. Outbreaks of this disease are regularly traced back to air conditioning systems.

A hint that you may have bacteria in the HVAC are musty, dank odors, sometimes described as being like dirty socks.

4. Noxious Gasses Spell Trouble

If you’re getting a smell reminiscent of exhaust gasses, Sulphur, or a combination of burnt matches with vinegar overtones, don’t go sticking your nose into this problem. These odors mean that noxious fumes are moving through the air ducts. The fumes usually occur due to damage or failure of internal components. For example, this can happen when a heat exchanger unit in the HVAC has cracked, and toxic gas is released directly into the air ducts instead of venting outside.

Carbon monoxide, the odorless, colorless, deadly gas, may accompany the other noxious by-products generated in the HVAC. Likewise, a partially blocked flue can result in toxic fumes being backed up into the HVAC and distributed through the ductwork.

Any problems with gas leaks require emergency assistance from HVAC technicians. Never attempt to fix this yourself.

5. Dust Off Odors from Uncleaned Ductwork

Sometimes getting rid of persistent smells from the HVAC is a pretty simple fix. If you smell dust, it’s probably just that — dust and dirt particle contaminants in ductwork. If it’s been a while since the dust filters were replaced, now’s the time to do exactly that. Heavily used heating and cooling systems should have the air filters changed every 90 days or so. This is an easy DIY job, so there are no excuses for this particular lingering odor.

Get Rid of Ductwork Odors with Professional Cleaning

Besides looking after all your fireplace and chimney cleaning needs in Northern Virginia, Six Penny Chimney also provides expert air duct cleaning services. So if you’re experiencing side effects or odors from uncleaned ductwork, request a quote or service, and we will get right back to you. We’ll quickly banish those bad smells from your home.

A stack of wood in front of a proper fireplace and chimney serviced by a chimney professional

What to Ask a Chimney Professional Before Hiring Them

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Poorly maintained chimneys and fireplaces can cause all sorts of problems. Seemingly minor ash and debris in the fireplace can indicate the start of serious problems building up on chimney walls, such as toxic creosote and soot. Creosote is highly combustible and causes chimney fires. To stop this, specialist cleaning of chimneys and fireplaces is essential. So, here is a little advice on what to ask a chimney professional before hiring.

How Often Do Chimneys and Fireplaces Need Cleaning?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) urges homeowners to get their chimneys cleaned at least once a year. Heavily used wood-burning fireplaces may need chimney sweeping done more often. A hint that you may be overdue for chimney sweeping is strong fireplace smells, debris falling into the fireplace, or smoke blowing back into the room.

Assess Your Needs Before Calling Chimney Professionals

So that you know what to ask before hiring a chimney sweep, you should do a basic visual check first. Check outside to see whether there appears to be any damage around the chimney cap and the immediate roofing surround. Also, see if there are any signs of animals appearing to live within the chimney or on the cap. Bird’s nests are a prime example.

Then check inside around the fireplace. Debris and heavy soot deposits falling from the chimney walls can be signs of animal life or structural damage. The tell-tale black tar signs of creosote are another sign that cleaning is due. You should discuss these issues with chimney cleaning companies when you seek quotes from them.

What to Look for When Hiring Chimney Cleaners

Two of the most important things to look for are good customer reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations. If the organization fails in this area, it can indicate poor service. Asking friends and family about local chimney professionals is a good start. Online review sites may also prove helpful.

Once you’ve lined up two or three potential cleaners, you can compare their experience, rates, and availability. A checklist can be a useful tool to assess their services.

Your Checklist of Questions on What to Ask Before Hiring a Chimney Sweep

1.  Do you have experience with the type of fireplace and chimney I have?

Chimneys come in various shapes and sizes, so you’ll want to ensure the cleaner you hire has experience with your type of chimney.

2. How much will it cost to have my chimney and fireplace cleaned?

This is an essential what to ask before hiring a chimney sweep. You don’t want a nasty surprise when the bill is handed over. A good local company won’t hesitate to come to your property for a free quote.

3. My chimney is way overdue for a cleaning. Will it cost more to sweep?

Again, you don’t want any surprises here. If you’re upfront with them on how long it has been between sweeping and how heavily the fireplace is used, they may need to quote a little more. When they do their inspection, unanticipated problems may come to light. Ask them how they will deal with this type of scenario as well.

4. Do you have any discounts or promotions for first-time customers?

This is worth asking for. After all, they want your repeat business.

5. What if something goes wrong during the chimney cleaning process?

Check whether they are fully insured for any likely mishaps. Don’t just take their word for it—ask who their insurer is and get details of the process if any structural damage occurs.

6. Is your work guaranteed?

Check what their service guarantees cover, including how long they last.

7. Can you provide references from past clients?

If you’re the cautious type, it’s worth looking at a couple of their previous clients.

8. I work away from home. Can you provide a definite day and start time to do the work?

Is there anything more irritating than waiting around all day for tradespeople that don’t turn up? You will want to know that they are guaranteed to turn up when they say they will. And in case they do have to reschedule at short notice that they will let you know at least 24 hours beforehand.

Your Local Chimney Cleaning Professionals in Northern Virginia

Six Penny Chimney provides high-quality fireplace and chimney inspection and cleaning services. We also repair damage to concrete and brickwork and remove animal and insect pests. If you’re a local Northern Virginian, we will readily visit your property and give a free estimate.

We will happily guide you around what to look for when hiring chimney cleaners.