Our Services
Our approach to chimney sweeping in Whites Landing
What decides the method and the price of a chimney cleaning in Whites Landing.
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.
Signs of an earlier chimney fire
Some chimney fires are loud and dramatic, but others burn out without anyone noticing. Afterward the flue can show puffy, honeycombed creosote, cracked or shifted tiles, a warped damper or heat-streaked metal at the top.
If our sweep finds signs like these, we stop, explain what we saw and recommend that the fireplace stay out of use until the chimney has been fully inspected. NFPA 211 treats a chimney fire as a reason for a closer inspection before the system is used again. Cleaning continues only when it is safe to do so, and you decide on any next step. If you remember a loud roaring sound, heavy smoke or a hot smell from the chimney at some point, mention it, since it helps us read what we see.
The walk-through when we finish
Before we pack up, we show you the cleaned firebox, explain what came out of the flue and point out anything that needs attention. The drop cloths come up carefully and folded inward so no soot is shaken onto the floor.
Your service notes list the flue cleaned, the condition of the damper, smoke shelf and cap, and any repair we recommend, each with its own price. Keep them with your house records. Should anything in the room look different from how we found it, point it out before we go and we will fix it right then, under our 100% satisfaction guarantee. We also tell you when your next cleaning or inspection is likely to be worthwhile, based on what we found.
