On average, there are roughly 25,000 chimney fires every year, causing more than $125 million in damage. Still, many homeowners don’t realize that they need to have chimney inspections performed regularly. It’s very likely that you’ve had a chimney fire and haven’t even noticed. That’s where the team at Chimney Champions comes in. We can inspect the entire structure of your chimney and tell you whether or not you’ve experienced a fire in your chimney.
Heavy rains and winds can take a toll on your chimney. Strong storms can kick up in an instant and last for just a few minutes. However, they leave a trail of damage behind, including impacts to your home. If you have trees in your yard that hang over the house, then you’re at even more risk for storm damage. Here are a few things the experts at Chimney Champions want you to know when inspecting the chimney damage in the aftermath of a storm.
Spalling is the industry term chimney inspectors use to describe chimney bricks that have begun to decay, loosen, or chip. A chimney with spalling bricks is not only an eyesore, but it’s also a safety hazard. Spalling bricks mean that your chimney is in poor health, and should be inspected and repaired right away. If you still have questions about what spalling is and why it matters, we’ve explained it here. When you’re ready, give the team at Chimney Champions a call for repairs.
At Chimney Champions, we get a lot of questions about fireplaces, chimneys, and chimney sweeps. While safety is our number one priority, so is providing additional education and resources. If you have a fireplace in your home, educating yourself on features and safety precautions is essential. Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions we receive as trusted chimney sweeps.
Nothing says home and comfort like a cozy fire burning to keep your family warm after the sun goes down. There’s something quite relaxing about watching flames dance across the logs. Still, every responsible homeowner knows that proper fireplace and chimney care are essential. That’s why it’s necessary to have your chimney regularly inspected by the team at Chimney Champions. These three levels of inspections are outlined by the National Fire Protection Association and are the standards our chimney sweeps use to inspect a fireplace.
Your chimney is an essential part of your roof and the structure of your home. Different components of the chimney work together to keep smoke out of your home and prevent rain and wild animals from getting in. At Chimney Champions, we understand how important regular maintenance and repairs are for your chimney. While choosing a chimney professional to inspect your home may seem rather straightforward, several key factors need to be taken into consideration.
There’s no better time to get your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional chimney sweep than right now. Spring is here, which means more rain, more pests, and probably some much needed deep cleaning. So, why not have your chimney cleaned and inspected as well? Although doing a complete spring clean is a lot of work, it can end up being a great payoff. With the help from the team at Chimney Champions, you can rest easily, knowing your flue and stack are moisture damage free and sealed up tightly for the hot summer months ahead.
Your fireplace provided you with numerous cozy fires during the chilly winter nights. Now, the the weather is getting nicer and it’s time to clear out all the ash and soot in your chimney. Many homeowners think they can just burn a self-cleaning log and move on, but that’s just not the case. The best way to clean your chimney is to call in the professionals. Luckily, Chimney Champions makes chimney cleaning easy and hassle-free, clearing your stack of all the fire hazards that you could face the next time you light a log.
Long time, no updates! We have made it a top priority this year to attend as many hands on training classes as possible to stay at the top of the industry. One of the most important classes we have attended so far this Summer is ropes training and safety. Jim Brewer is a legend in the chimney sweep industry and our team recently made the visit to train with him at the Fire Service & Codes Enforcement Academy in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. The two day class went over basic safety precautions, proper ways to protect a clients roof while using ropes, knots, and most importantly hands on training at the Academy. The reality of our industry is that most sweeps are inspecting a home or performing a repair alone. Using the old style OSHA safety harness, if you fall off a roof alone you have no way to self rescue … Continued
If you just happen to be in Italy between August 30th and September 2nd, don’t miss the International Meeting of the Sweeps! Chimney sweeps from around the World meet in the Vigezzo Valley to celebrate the past history and future of our profession. Although chimney sweeps have been around for centuries, this will be the 38th meeting in the Valley of the Chimney Sweep. Expect to see over one thousand sweeps throughout the meeting, some performing reenactments with historic tools! If you do find your way to Italy this time of year, make sure to say hi to Mike the Chimney Guy 🙂
