Our Services
Chimney sweeping details for Astor Farms homes
Why our family-owned crew in Astor Farms sweeps chimneys the way it does.
Clearing the smoke shelf behind the damper
Just above the damper on many masonry fireplaces sits a flat ledge called the smoke shelf. Soot, flakes of creosote, leaves and even small nests fall onto it and stay there, out of sight from the room.
Brushing the flue from above often drops more debris onto that shelf, so we clear it by hand and vacuum it at the end of every masonry chimney cleaning. A shelf left full can smolder if an ember reaches it, and it can hold moisture that feeds a musty smell. It is a small step that is easy to miss, and it is part of every visit we make. If the shelf is cracked or badly shaped, we note it, since debris that cannot be cleared properly keeps coming back.
How firewood affects what we find in the flue
The EPA's Burn Wise program advises seasoning firewood for at least six months and storing it outdoors, off the ground, with only the top covered, since covering the sides traps moisture. It also recommends checking wood with a moisture meter before burning it.
Wet wood burns poorly and smoky, and that smoke leaves more residue on the inside of the flue. If our sweeps find heavy deposits, we ask about the wood you burn and how it is stored. Changing that is often the cheapest way to keep the next cleaning light, and it makes for a better fire in the meantime. We are happy to look at your woodpile while we are there if you would like a second opinion.
Smoke that rolls into the room
Smoke spilling from the fireplace opening has several possible causes. A flue narrowed by deposits is one. A damper that does not open fully, a clogged cap, a flue too small for the opening, or a house where exhaust fans pull air inward are others.
Cleaning takes care of the deposit side and lets us see the rest. If smoke still spills once the flue is clean, we explain which of the other causes fits what we saw and what it would take to fix. That way you never pay for a cleaning expecting it to cure a problem it cannot reach, and the next step is clear. Opening a window slightly while the fire starts can show whether house pressure plays a part.
