Annual chimney sweeping is one of the best ways to keep your Middletown, NJ, chimney running safely and efficiently. Chimney sweeping is an age-old art that focuses on removing flammable materials and obstructions from chimney flues.
Approved Chimney serves Middletown, NJ, and all of Monmouth County, NJ, with CSIA-certified chimney sweeping and licensed inspections. Here’s how we can help you.
The Problem with Creosote
Creosote is a substance that forms when smoke condenses within a chimney flue and on other parts of the chimney and fireplace system. It can be solid, gummy, puffy, or flaky, and it’s highly flammable in all its forms.
Most reported chimney fires in Middletown, NJ, and throughout the U.S. each year are started by ignited creosote. Our chimney sweep technicians are fully trained and certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. We know how chimneys work and how to address the creosote fire hazard correctly.
The Problem with Flue Debris
Another target of chimney sweeping is debris in the flue. If you operate your chimney without a proper chimney cap, your flue is open to:
- Leaves and twigs
- Falling fruit
- Small animals that build nests
- Small animals that die in the chimney
With sufficient flue debris, smoke from your fireplace can easily back up into your Middletown, NJ, home, carrying with it deadly carbon monoxide. This gas is invisible and odorless, but it can be fatal to people and pets. Chimney cleaning clears out the debris. Having us install a chimney cap will keep debris out in the future.
Our Chimney Sweeping Process
We provide “top-down” chimney cleaning for our Middletown, NJ, customers. This means a thorough job with nothing overlooked. We start with a camera inspection of the flue to gauge its condition and contents. We then cover and protect your furnishings and parts of the work area to keep them free of dust and soot.
The actual sweeping work uses industry-grade brushes, solvents, and vacuums. This is the only effective system for safely removing creosote and draft-blocking debris. In addition to cleaning the flue, we’ll remove creosote deposits from your fireplace, chimney cap, and other parts of the system.
Approved Chimney is a proud member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). We’re a certified, experienced, and local New Jersey chimney company.
How You Can Help Keep Your Middletown, NJ Chimney Cleaner
Nothing can replace professional chimney cleaning, but there are a few things you can do to produce less smoke when you burn. The result will be less creosote accumulation in your chimney in Middletown, NJ:
- Burn only dry firewood: Damp wood is very smoky and accelerates buildup.
- Avoid non-firewood items: Don’t burn painted wood, magazines, clothing, plastic, or cardboard. These produce excessive smoke and toxic gases.
- Check your damper: Ensure your fireplace damper opens all the way to allow the draft to move smoke through the chimney faster.
Schedule Your Next Chimney Sweep
If it’s been longer than a year since your chimney was last cleaned, now is the time to schedule this service. Approved Chimney cleans chimneys in Middletown, NJ, New Monmouth, NJ, Atlantic Highlands, NJ, Keansburg, NJ, Hazlet, NJ, and other local cities and towns.
You can reach us by phone or through our contact form to learn more.
