Cumberland Chimney Sweeps

Did you know that using a chimney cap can protect your chimney from rain, which can build up inside your chimney and cause damage? A chimney cap also prevents rain from entering your fireplace and heater or ruining your walls and ceilings.

Remember, you can’t assume that a chimney is clean when you move into a new residence. If there is no evidence that the chimney has been recently cleaned or inspected, be sure to have these services completed before using your fireplace.

Today's chimney sweeps do a lot more than just clean out the flue. They will also inspect your fireplace and chimney for possible installation and venting issues. They can even help you figure out ways to be more efficient with your heating.

Chimney caps are essential for a variety of reasons. Not only do they keep the rain out of your home, but they keep birds and other animals out of your chimney as well. They can also protect the chimney itself from premature deterioration.

The first thing a chimney sweep will do is thoroughly inspect your fireplace and chimney. This enables him or her to make a note of any needed repairs and to see if the chimney actually needs to be cleaned. The general guideline is that cleaning is necessary if there’s more than one-quarter-inch of accumulated soot.

A chimney sweep provides a valuable function, both in the area of keeping your chimney functioning well and keeping your home safe. Having the chimney cleaned regularly is one of the best ways to prevent soot fires and dangerous gas emissions.

In the 19th century, chimney sweeps used brushes, ropes, and iron balls as cleaning tools. A brush weighted with the iron ball was lowered into the chimney from the roof. The brush scraped the sides clean as the heavy ball pulled it down the flue.

Burning wood in your fireplace creates an accumulation of creosote in your chimney. This natural substance is flammable and is a leading cause of chimney fires. Since it's extremely difficult to remove creosote on your own, call a chimney sweep immediately if you suspect a buildup in your chimney.

Completed in 1519, the Chateau de Chambord in France features 365 chimneys, one for each day of the year. To accomplish this, only three basic chimney designs were used, but decorative images from architecture, heraldry, and mythology make each chimney unique.

In the 17th century, chimney sweeps would actually employ small boys to climb up the chimneys and clean them. The cleaning process involved brushing the inside of the flue and then using metal scrapers to remove the harder tar deposits.

The Homer City Generating Station in Pennsylvania, at 1,217 feet, is the tallest chimney in the U.S. The power plant there provides energy for customers in New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Did you know that high efficiency stoves are more prone to creosote build-up? This is because in this type of unit, less heat is allowed to escape up the flue. Since creosote condenses more easily on cooler surfaces, you can expect more build-up in a shorter period of time.

A modern fireplace has many parts, the hearth, surround, mantel, firebox, flue, smoke chamber, smoke shelf, damper, spark arrester, chimney cap, and ash dump. While you can maintain the hearth and mantle yourself, a professional chimney sweep is needed to keep everything else running properly.