One of the most important services you can schedule for your Montclair, NJ, chimney is chimney sweeping. This is how you reduce the risk of a chimney fire and help your chimney and fireplace system vent smoke and dangerous combustion gases efficiently.
Approved Chimney provides CSIA-certified chimney sweeping in Montclair, NJ, along with Nutley, NJ, Brookdale, NJ, Caldwell, NJ, Bloomfield, NJ, and other local cities and towns. We’ve been in business since 2012.
Two Reasons for Chimney Sweeping
Chimney sweeping once a year removes the creosote that builds up when smoke condenses in the flue. Creosote is the #1 cause of reported chimney fires each year in the Montclair, NJ, area and throughout Essex County, NJ.
You can’t keep creosote from forming in your chimney, but you can have your chimney cleaned regularly and take measures to create less smoke with your fires (see below).
Another important reason for chimney sweeping is to clean debris out of the flue. If you operate your chimney without a chimney cap, your flue can accumulate leaves, twigs, small-animal nests, and the occasional dead animal.
These obstructions can cause smoke and deadly carbon monoxide to back up in your home. Chimney cleaning removes the debris. A proper chimney cap keeps the debris out.
Chimney Cleaning in Montclair, NJ
When we clean our Montclair, NJ, customers’ chimneys, we follow an efficient process.
It starts with a visual inspection and a camera inspection of the flue, which tells us how much creosote is in there and whether there is a buildup of debris. The inspection will also reveal damage that needs to be repaired. You’ll see the inspection report showing our findings and recommendations.
Preparing for chimney sweeping involves covering furnishings and other items in the work area to keep them free of dust and soot. We’ll get dirty, but your home won’t.
Our chimney cleaning technicians use specialized brushes, solvents, and commercial vacuums to remove debris from the chimney safely. Approved Chimney carries a certification from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). It is also a member in good standing of the National Fire Protection Association and the National Chimney Sweep Guild. We know how chimneys work and how to work on them the right way.
Minimize Smoke with Your Fires
Because smoke can turn into creosote, you want to produce as little of it as possible when using your fireplace. And you want it to go up and out of the chimney as fast as possible.
Here are three tips we like to share with all our Montclair, NJ, customers.
Don’t Burn Junk
Never burn cardboard, plastic, packing materials, clothing, furniture pieces, or anything other than actual harvested firewood. Most non-firewood items produce excess smoke.
Burn Dry Logs
Make sure your logs have had time to dry out – typically about six months. Dry wood burns with much less smoke than damp, unseasoned wood.
Help the Draft
Maintain a smooth draft by ensuring the fireplace damper fully opens and that the chimney cap is free of draft-blocking debris along its mesh sides. Drafting hindrances can cause smoke to remain in the flue for longer, thereby contributing to creosote buildup. Sluggish drafting can also allow smoke and carbon monoxide to filter into your Montclair, NJ, home.
Call Your New Jersey Chimney Sweep and Fireplace Pros
If it’s been more than a year since your Montclair, NJ, chimney was cleaned and inspected, call your local chimney sweeping professionals at Approved Chimney. You can also get in touch by using our contact form.
