A crumbling or dirty chimney can be a hazard to your home due not only to falling materials but also the accumulation of flammable creosote that can lead to dangerous fires. The Chimney Sweeps at Hoover’s Home Energy team can safely and efficiently clean or restore your chimney so it functions properly year after year.

Why do I need to call a chimney sweep?

Regularly cleaning your chimney is important for two major reasons: safety and performance. As you regularly use your fireplace soot and creosote gradually build up along the walls of your chimney. If these deposits are allowed to build up long enough they may ignite. This ignition can cause a chimney fire, putting your home and family in danger.

Regularly cleaning your chimney also improves the airflow and overall performance of the chimney. If you have ever noticed smoke coming out of your fireplace and into your living room, the reason is most likely that your chimney needs to be cleaned or your spark arrestor could be sealing off with creosote.

How often should I call a chimney sweep?

If you use your fireplace at least once a week during the burning season you should have your chimney inspected and cleaned once a year. Using your fireplace even one time will result in some creosote deposits in the chimney flu.

If you burn wood on a regular basis, you should have your chimney swept a minimum of once a season, depending on the moisture content of the wood and burning habits.

What should I expect during a typical chimney sweep inspection/appointment?

When you book your chimney sweep/inspection with Hoover’s Home Energy Inc, our chimney sweeping team (two trained, experienced technicians) will arrive at your home in uniform. Once inside, technicians will remove their boots, lay down drop sheets around the fireplace, place our equipment on the drop sheets and begin the cleaning process. While one team member cleans the chimney, the other will use a ladder to access the roof of your home to inspect the chimney from above. Upon finishing a sweep, all soot and ashes will be cleaned from your fireplace, and the drop sheets/equipment will be removed in a manner that keeps your home as clean as it was upon arrival.

Is chimney sweeping a messy process? Do I need to put sheets over my furniture before an appointment?

There is no doubt that a fireplace can be a very messy place. However, done professionally the chimney sweeping process is very clean and will not dirty your home. You do not need to put sheets over your furniture. However if you do feel more comfortable covering up your furniture, please do. We will not feel insulted. For every sweep we use a vacuum specifically designed for the soot and ash found in fireplaces and chimneys. We insert the hose of our vacuum inside of the fireplace while we do the cleaning to catch any debris and prevent it from entering your living room or home.

How long does it take inspect and clean a chimney?

You can expect a typical appointment to last anywhere from 45 minutes-1 hour depending on how dirty the chimney is. Most inspections and cleaning are done by two individuals ensuring that all work is done efficiently and in a timely manner.

If my fireplace or chimney needs repairs, can you fix it?

Hoover’s Home Energy Inc. can take care of any chimney or fireplace repairs. We also offer accessories for your fireplace. We have experienced chimney technicians that can restore, rebuilt or replace your old, crumbling chimney.