Nashville Chimney Sweep: Sweeping Your Fireplace & Chimney the Right Way
No matter where you live or what you celebrate, few things in life signify the change in season like a happy, healthy home fire. But, before you grab your kindling or go to turn on that pilot light, it’s important to first schedule those preventative, annual maintenance services – the inspection and chimney cleaning. Fortunately, if you live in the greater Nashville area, Ashbusters Chimney Service is the place to call for all of your chimney and dryer vent needs. Your “chimney sweeping near me” searches are finally answered.
At Ashbusters, we take great pride in what we do. All of our techs:
- …are Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified
- …go through an extensive background check
- …participate in mandatory industry training to stay on top of the latest technical advances to maintain our reputation as a premium chimney sweep company.
In the last few decades we have swept over tens of thousands of chimneys and have countless positive reviews from our customers thus proving we do it right. We also know that our past performance is something we have to live up to every day, so we promise we will continue to do it right.
For close to 40 years, Ashbusters has been providing Central Tennessee with award-winning chimney repair and maintenance services. Schedule your yearly chimney sweeping with us by booking with us online or by calling 615-459-2546.
Why Is It Important To Have Your Chimney Swept?
Well, first of all, much like any other appliance in your home, maintaining a safe and operational chimney and fireplace system requires occasional attention and just a little TLC. Think about it: you can’t use something regularly for only a few months out of the year, neglect it for the rest of the time, and then expect it to function properly when the chilly season rolls around again.
Remember that, while fireplaces may appear straightforward and simple on the outside, their chimney systems are actually quite complex – and if not cared for properly, also quite dangerous.
Secondly, in accordance with the CSIA and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) lists fireplace cleanings and chimney sweepings at the top of the Fire Safety Check List.
Why? Because all combustion, regardless of fuel type, creates harmful fumes and noxious gases that can accumulate on the inner walls of the system that can cause a host of issues down the line. For instance, creosote (and other debris) buildup can create obstructions that block the exhaust’s clear exit out the chimney. This makes it that much easier for the smoke to waft back into your living space and expose you and your family to the dangers of carbon monoxide and other chemicals.
Steps to Sweep & Clean Your Chimney & Fireplace
So, what does the chimney cleaning process look like?
We can’t speak for any other service companies, but we can give you a brief overview of what to expect when the Ashbusters team comes to sweep out your system:
- First, we’ll lay out tarps in front of the fireplace to ensure that your carpet doesn’t get dirty. Then, to be extra safe, we set up a high-speed dust collector so that no soot or other debris gets in your home.
- Using a variety of specialized brushes and other tools, we sweep the inside of your fireplace from the floor of your firebox to the very top of the flue. We finish off this step by vacuuming everything within reach using a triple-layer HEPA filter in an effort to control dust and get things as “spotless” as possible.
- We’ll then clean, inspect, and adjust the damper and damper assembly.
- After doing all this, we do a visual inspection of the outside of the chimney, checking the brick and mortar (or wood-paneling on a prefab system), cap, crown, and flashing to ensure everything is appropriately watertight and functional. Throughout the chimney sweeping process, we make sure to document any damage and areas requiring repair with video or photos to show you at the end.
- When we are through, we will leave with you a copy of the written chimney system evaluation, as well as any recommendations for maintenance or repair services and a timeline of when you should look at giving us a call for your next cleaning.
Let’s discuss approximate cost estimates and get you on our books so you can check this home maintenance task off your never-ending list.
Here at Ashbusters, we believe you should be an educated consumer when it comes to the care and maintenance of your fireplace and chimney appliance. It’s also why we make ourselves available to provide as much information and answer all your questions and concerns. Give us a call at 615-459-2546 or fill out this form online to learn more and get started, today.
How Often Should My Chimney Be Swept?
Like so much else in the general home service industry, this can depend on a variety of factors: the specific type of system; the age; frequency of use; history of care, repair, and maintenance; etc. But the general rule of thumb – and what will ensure you stay in good graces with industry regulations – is to schedule a chimney sweep once every year, ideally before every burning system.
Preventive chimney maintenance, like regular sweepings, may seem like a nuisance, but when it comes right down to it, we’re talking about a structure designed to maintain a living, breathing fire within the walls of your home, so it makes sense to be intentional with these kinds of services.
How Can I Tell if My Chimney Needs Sweeping?
That’s the hard part. While there are certainly some instances where it’s clear that a chimney and its fireplace are in desperate need of a good sweep, it’s not always obvious. Remember, most (if not all) of what has the power to make these structures so dangerous lies out of sight and within the chimneys walls.
However, if you do notice any of the following, you’re due for a chimney sweeping and should give us a call:
- Accumulation of dust or dirt on gas logs
- Cloudy glass coverings
- Appearance of soot on grates and other firebox components
- A smoky smell lingering around your fireplace
- Your fire is burning strangely and takes more effort to start and maintain
- It’s been exactly or right around a year since your last cleaning
If you don’t think you need your chimney swept, you may want to consider getting your fireplace evaluated. Ashbusters Chimney Service conducts chimney evaluations according to guidelines set forth by the NFPA.
Evaluations consist of any of the three levels of detailed chimney inspection. Having your fireplace inspected from crown to firebox every year can prevent dangers like chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, ensuring the safety of your and your family.
When Should I Schedule a Chimney Sweeping?
In a lot of ways this tends to come down to the homeowner’s personal preference, but keep in mind – if you know you plan to use your system when the weather begins to cool, you should plan to take care of that sooner rather than later.
When your system has been dormant for the past several months, you never quite know what state it will be in come burning season. After all, what better place for critters to find warmth and shelter on those chilly spring or summer mornings than an unused chimney? You’d hate to learn the hard way that there was a family of critters hunkered down in your flue only after your first fire in the fall.
For this reason – and because our busy season begins when the sun and warmth of Nashville summers start to peter out – we usually recommend looking to get your chimney sweeping scheduled in the spring and summer months. Not only does it ensure that we’ll have time to get to everyone before they start using their fireplaces regularly, but also gives you plenty of time to prepare for the first use and schedule any other repairs or maintenance services you might need beforehand, too. Don’t forget that in addition to annual sweepings, you must also schedule a chimney inspection every year!
If you’re a homeowner in Nashville looking for a one-stop shop for all things hearth, fireplace, and chimney, the search is over. Give the professional team of experts at Ashbusters a call. From annual preventive services to various repairs, we’ve got the knowledge and experience to cover it all.
Reach us online by filling out this appointment request form or give us a call at 615-459-2546 to learn more today.
How Can I Prevent Chimney Fires?
You might’ve guessed it already given the context, but staying on top of regular maintenance services, like inspections and chimney sweepings, is the best way to stop a chimney fire before it begins.
Did you know that nearly all chimney fires are preventable? It makes sense, considering the fact that technically speaking inspections and sweepings are required on an annual basis and serve to not only discern the overall health and wellness of the system, but clear it of any clogs and other debris that could cause problems too.
Actually, because these services are necessary for optimal fireplace and chimney performance by ensuring everything is in its proper place and working order (effectively lowering any risk of chimney fires), most homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover any damage that comes as a result of a fire. For this reason, it’s not only important to establish and maintain a regular schedule for preventive services, but also to keep a record handy so that should something out of the ordinary occur, you have the paperwork to submit to your insurance company.
Do Chimney Sweep Logs Work?
Eh, yes…and no. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, creosote sweeping logs (or chimney sweeping logs) are specifically curated to contain certain additives that, when burned, attach to existing creosote deposits and break them down slowly. Designed with a sort of dual-action effect in mind, these logs also work to prevent new amounts of creosote from forming in the flue. At a price of $20-$30 a pop, these seem like a cost effective alternative to having your chimney swept out by a professional, no?
Not so fast… While these chimney cleaning logs certainly won’t hurt anything and indeed might make the chimney cleaning process a bit faster and smoother, they are in no way meant to be a replacement for a professional chimney sweep service.
The team here at Ashbusters is highly qualified, certified, and experienced, so you can rest assured that they’ll take good care of you and your fireplace. You can reach us online through our website or by giving us a call at 615-459-2546. Let us know what we can do for you!
What Are the Benefits in Hiring a Professional Chimney Sweep?
The internet makes it all too easy these days to obtain and learn just about anything. If you can just as soon purchase your own specialized brushes, camera rigging, and a really tall ladder, why should you call on a team of experts to brush out your chimney? For a few reasons:
- We know what we’re doing. There is no time lost in attempting to get just the right angle or learning how to use appropriate tools. Plus, we’ve been doing this long enough to know how to sweep out your system and keep your living space clean. Believe us – that in itself is quite a feat.
- You’ll save money in the long run. Many people don’t realize how intrinsically complex their chimney system really is until they’re attempting to service it themselves. There is so much going on in there that works to ensure fireplace operation is as safe as it can be that you wouldn’t want to risk accidentally shifting something and compromising your whole appliance – especially because, without professional training, you likely wouldn’t even know if you did. Long story short? Save yourself the trouble – and the potential for even more expensive repairs later on – by working with experts from the start.
- You can enjoy your fireplace knowing it’s suitable for operation. Once again, unless you know what to look for – or the need for repair is plainly evident – there is a high chance that you might not know the overall condition and soundness of your appliance. When you call a professional to come out and sweep your chimney, you don’t have to worry about any potential “what ifs” and can instead direct all your attention to enjoying your time together in front of the flames with peace of mind.
How Much Does a Chimney Sweeping Service Cost?
Ah, yes. The inescapable price question. Unfortunately, as you continue to poke around and peruse our website, you’ll find that we don’t actually have any of our prices listed. This is not to mislead our customers (or those soon to be), but actually an attempt to do the opposite! Much in the way that every individual is different and unique and thus requires different products and services, so too are fireplace systems. We don’t advertise our pricing because it simply varies so greatly from customer to customer and chimney to chimney.
For instance, a chimney that is in severe disrepair or has not received appropriate care or attention in several years will require a more intense and thorough cleaning than one that is used properly and kept in pristine condition. Basically, the cost of a chimney sweeping service depends on a whole bunch of factors that are far too convoluted to try to list throughout our website.
However, we strongly believe in cost transparency and are always more than happy to discuss quotes and estimates with you in person or over the phone. That way we can learn a little bit more about you and the general state of your system, so we can give you the most accurate and personalized price estimate possible. Give us a call at 615-459-2546 to discuss pricing for your chimney sweep service.
Are Chimney Sweeps Lucky? Schedule With Ashbusters & Find Out!
Perhaps you’ve heard the old wives’ tale that chimney sweeps are rumored to bring good luck and fortune. Some say it’s because a sweep once rescued a king from a runaway carriage, others believe it’s simply the nature of our job (making homes warm and cozy), but one thing is for sure – we perform a vital role by tending to the hearth and ensuring that Nashville homeowners enjoy a beautiful, functional, and safe fireside experience.
Ready to see for yourself if our visit will bring abundant luck to you and your family? From minor repairs to regular preventive services, you can trust the dedicated team of experts at Ashbusters Chimney Service for all matters concerning your hearth.
Schedule your chimney sweeping service with us today and check it off your list. Fill out this appointment request form right here through our website, or give us a call at 615-459-2546 to learn more about us, all that we offer, and how we can help you better enjoy quiet time at home in front of your fireplace. We’d love to work with you.
Regular chimney inspections are about the best chimney service you can schedule for the health and safe use of your fireplace system.