Cooler weather will be sneaking up on us in no time at all. And it\u2019s so important that your home is prepared. As you use your heating equipment, you can, unfortunately, put your home at risk. However, proper maintenance and preparation helps to avoid some of this risk.<\/p>\n
That means ensuring you have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on hand, and that you check and test them before the season (and regularly thereafter). It also means you should maintain your heating system and have your chimney swept before the weather gets cold.<\/p>\n
Regular chimney sweeping helps to prevent fires by removing a potentially dangerous level of debris and flammable creosote that can build up in your chimney over time. But who should you call to clear it up?<\/p>\n
That means you cannot just call up a local technician and assume they\u2019ll be willing and able to do the work. A standard handyman simply isn\u2019t equipped with the right tools or experience (even if he thinks he is).<\/p>\n
Cleaning and inspecting a chimney is serious work. This is your home, and you need to make sure the right steps are taken in the first place to protect it. Hire a chimney specialist certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. <\/strong>You can find one here.<\/a><\/p>\n CSIA-certified chimney sweeps have taken a thorough examination to test their chimney and fireplace knowledge and training. They are knowledgeable and experienced and stay up-to-date on trends and technologies.<\/p>\n Remember, YOU should be calling your local chimney sweeps, not the other way around (unless the call comes from a qualified company you\u2019ve worked with in the past). If someone shows up at your door offering a cheap chimney sweep, you probably shouldn\u2019t trust them. Spend some time researching your local chimney sweeps before making an appointment in advance. Check with the Better Business Bureau, and make sure the company is in good standing.<\/p>\nCheck References<\/h2>\n