Preparing For Your Chimney Sweep Appointment

Wisconsinites know that the winters here can be bitterly cold and last for months. Before you’re left in the cold without a properly working chimney, give a professional chimney sweep a call. Don’t just assume that your chimney is functioning up to standard.  Schedule an appointment ahead of the winter rush with a certified chimney sweep from Chimney Specialists Inc. Before your technician comes to your home, though, there are a few things you need to do to prepare. Here is a comprehensive list of what you can do to prepare and get the most out of your chimney sweep appointment.

Don’t Use the Chimney

That’s right. You’ll want to avoid using your chimney for at least 12 hours prior to your appointment. In the winter, this can be a big ask. That’s why we suggest doing your maintenance and yearly inspection during the off-season. To do our job, the fireplace and chimney must be cool to the touch. To be on the safe side, don’t light your fireplace or wood-burning stove for 24 to 48 hours before your appointment.

Clear the Area

To help the chimney get right to the service without delay, make sure your fireplace is clear of any personal belongings. Clear the mantel of your photos and décor, as well as move anything away from the surrounding area like furniture. This also helps remove any hazards from the space that could cause your chimney sweep to trip or have something fall on top of them while they do their work. It is also good to cover any other furniture in the area to protect it from dust or soot that is likely to be drummed up during the service. Just remember, your chimney sweep will need complete access to the fireplace and will have various tools that will need to come inside your home for service, so make it as easy as possible for them to do the job when they arrive.

Remove Logs or Ashes

If you have logs in your firebox or an overflow of ashes, having those removed before your appointment is helpful. Also, eliminating ashes can expedite your service. It would help if you also moved away from your fireplace tools, grate, and anything else that you regularly use in your fireplace. Your chimney sweep will not need those during your service.

Have Questions Ready

Your chimney sweep appointment is your chance to ask any questions and get answers to any concerns that you have about your fireplace and chimney. At CSI, we suggest that you prepare some questions or have problems ready to share when your chimney sweep arrives. You should also bring up any chimney leaks, odd smells, or other concerns that you’ve noticed since your last appointment. We don’t want another year to go by without getting to the bottom of any concerns you may have.

Do you need to schedule an appointment? If you live in the tri-state area, give us a call today at 608-929-4887 to discuss your concerns and get a chimney sweep inspection booked.