Pro-Vac Chimney Sweeps

The National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A.) suggests annual inspections to assess whether your chimney requires cleaning and meets current safety requirements.

While the majority of our clients schedule annual cleanings, certain customers can extend intervals to two or three years, whereas others need bi-annual service.

Your woodburning habits will determine the frequency of chimney cleanings you require–factors such as the type of wood you use, how long ago the wood was cut, how hot a fire you have (low, smoldering fires create more dangerous creosote), and of course how often you have a fire. It is best to play it safe and have yearly inspections to determine the condition of your chimney.

Many homeowners believe early fall—prior to heating season—represents the ideal servicing time. Surprisingly, post-season spring maintenance proves more advantageous.

Creosote residue is acidic. When spring moisture arrives and the carbon deposits get wet, it becomes even more acidic and can cause serious damage to the stainless steel liner.  Also, during the hot summer months, humidity and creosote combine to cause an unpleasant sooty odor around your fireplace area. A spring service call will help to minimize these problems.

Another problem that can occur is birds nesting in your chimney. During the spring and summer, Birds raise their young in uncapped chimneys. By having us out in the spring, we can make sure your chimney is securely capped and prevent animals and debris from entering the flue, becoming a nuisance and a health hazard.

Scheduling before autumn's busy period eliminates extended wait times. Should inspections identify issues, off-season repairs remain feasible. Spring and summer maintenance ensures your fireplace stands prepared when autumn's first chill arrives.

It only takes a few brushes, a vacuum, and a ladder for someone to call themselves a chimney sweep. Yet it takes years of training and experience to be skilled in the trade as a true professional. In order to ensure a level of expertise within the chimney sweeping trade, the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) developed the Certified Chimney Sweep Program. Now administered through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the educational department of the NCSG, a certified sweep has demonstrated a knowledge of current local code requirements, the physics of burning wood and creosote formation, technical issues related to draft, chimney dynamics, and the tools and techniques of the trade. Also, a thorough knowledge of the National Fire Protection Association’s code book “211–Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances” is a must.

Certification requires successfully completing a triennial examination demonstrating mastery of CSIA study manual content plus NFPA codebook 211 material. The study manual undergoes regular updates reflecting new equipment, evolving regulations and codes, plus solid fuel industry developments. The certification exam proves thorough, technical, and comprehensive in scope. CSIA provides the sole legitimate certification, evidenced by the sweep's credential badge and CSIA branding across all promotional materials.

Our investment of time, resources, and dedication toward certification reflects our commitment to delivering superior service. Certification empowers us to assess your chimney from an informed standpoint and provide well-founded, expert recommendations. CSIA certification guarantees our dedication to professional excellence and current industry best practices.