Chimney sweep in Bethesda services help to keep our fires burning by providing a ventilation system that removes dangerous fumes, smoke, and other toxins. It takes advantage of the fact that hot air will always rise, and this allows any fumes caused by the merrily burning fire to leave your living space.
Bethesda Maryland Chimney Sweep Service
During this process, a sticky residue from the fire, creosote, gets stuck inside your chimney, especially if you are burning wood, or do not have enough ventilation. Creosote is highly inflammable, and if residues are not cleared, can cause fires in chimneys. Chimneys are also safe and secure places for birds, who will find them ideal places for building nests during summer when your chimney is cold and not in use. These twigs, leaves and other things that birds make nests out of and which they abandon after the season, will dry up and can start a fire when you light the first fire of the winter. That is why it is very necessary that you clean your chimney by using a chimney sweep, at the beginning of every winter season, and in between if you feel it is needed.
Another reason for cleaning your chimney of all that has accumulated in it, is that soot accumulates around the flue, and this grime can prevent the smoke from going upwards. Instead, it can get direct into your living space that is being heated, and cause layers of soot on all your furniture and draperies. Cleaning the soot can be quite a task.
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The profession of chimney sweeps has a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) that contribute to standards on chimneys and all safety aspects. According to them, chimneys must be swept if the build up of soot in it is more than 1/8″, or if a glaze is seen in the system. Build up of soot larger than this can cause fires that can spread to the home and put all its occupants at risk. They can also help you to locate chimney sweep companies who work in your area and have a CSIA certification.
The appointed chimney sweep will first make a complete survey of your chimney and cover the area below the chimney with plastic or any other cloth. They then use brushes with metal bristles to clean the chimney. These brushes have rods that can be extended so that the entire length of the chimney can be cleaned. Expect these professionals to wear gloves, masks and googles to protect them form the ash and soot, that the brushing of the chimney sides with the metal bristles brush will bring down. They will start from the flue and work each side all the way up. Some of them may prefer to do it in reverse order, or even use both methods.
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The debris so created will all fall into the fireplace and will need to be swept up, and vacuumed. Occasional chimneys will have animals and birds in them, and a chimney sweep will remove them after their initial survey, before they proceed with the job of sweeping the chimney.
A clean chimney also makes for better ventilation and will make your heating system that much more effective. It will also lead to your having to use lesser fuel for the warmth that you want.
Victorian Chimney Sweep
10410 Kensington Pkwy # 201A
Kensington, MD 20895
(240) 690-6158