Fireplaces send smoke and soot up a chimney, so chimneys get dirty.  For safety sake it’s necessary to clean chimneys on a regular basis.  But when someone hires a chimney sweep Kent, or anywhere else for that matter, a few simple questions arise.  What does a chimney sweep do?  How much does a chimney sweep cost?  How can a consumer access a reliable chimney sweep.  Read on for answers.

If you’re in Kent, what does a chimney sweep Kent do?  If not, what does any chimney sweep do?  Chimney sweeps sweep, that is clean, chimneys.  That much is obvious.  But they offer other services.  These generally come in three levels.  Along with the cleaning, a first level service involves inspecting easy to reach areas such as the visible fireplace and external flues.  A second level service adds inspecting harder to reach areas such as internal flues as well as attics and crawl spaces.  (Most people don’t think of chimney sweeps cleaning attics.)  A third level inspection includes checking sealed areas.

Why is it necessary to clean and inspect a chimney?  Rising smoke from a fireplace cools quickly as it travels up a chimney.  As the smoke condenses it forms particles that bond with the chimney interior.  Such particles bond either as flakes, or become baked on as a gummy covering.  Either form, flakes or gummy coating, is called creosote.  High in carbon, creosote is a lot like coal.  It’s incredibly flammable, burns very hot, and creates fire that’s hard to extinguish and control.  Such a fire, fanned by the air circulating through the chimney, can become so hot it burns through the chimney liner.  The result is a smoking pit where a home or building once stood.  That’s good reason for hiring a chimney sweep Kent.

Many modern sweeps employ video cameras that can see a lot more than the naked eye, and get to places a person cannot see.  Such cameras can detect cracks in mortar or chimney tiles or lining.  In the long run those video inspections can save a lot of money.

When to have a chimney checked by a chimney sweep Kent.  Inspections should be done prior to using a new chimney, such as in a new house.  Inspections and cleaning for old chimneys should take place at least one per year, prior to the cold season (chimney use season).  Preventing creosote build up with frequent cleanings can also save money on chimney sweep services, because it won’t get to the point where the chimney is extremely difficult to clean.

Any other important information about chimneys or chimney sweeps?  Sure, there’s a lot more information such as about certification, reliability, history, and quality work as reflected in reviews.  Check web sites before hiring a chimney sweep, find out who the neighbours use, check online reviews and review services for businesses.

Hire the best chimney sweep Kent that can be found.  Once that’s done relax, because the chimney is now in good hands.  Enjoy the heat, light and pleasant atmosphere a well maintained fireplace delivers.