Niagara Falls, New York, is home to one of America’s top attractions. Every year, millions of people line up to watch over six million cubic feet of cascading water rise to the top every sixty seconds. As the three converging waterfalls entertain visitors, puffs of smoke billowing from chimney tops during the winter are a sure-fire sign that winter is here.
The impressive strength of water in the falls is a great reminder of nature’s power, but water is also the number one enemy of your home’s masonry. For more than 60 years, the Felgemacher family has provided professional chimney sweep services throughout the Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY, metropolitan area.
Why Water & Creosote Don’t Mix
When homeowners light their fireplaces to combat the brutal Western New York winter, wood combustion naturally creates creosote. This highly flammable, tar-like byproduct accumulates on the inside of the chimney flue.
The humid environment and heavy snowfall around Niagara County are a double threat: When moisture leaks into a chimney and mixes with creosote, it triggers a chemical reaction that creates a corrosive, acidic paste. This mixture literally eats away at your clay liner and mortar joints. Worse yet, trapped moisture can cause creosote to swell, restricting airflow and significantly increasing the risk of a dangerous fire.
Certified Chimney Inspections
Our Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) Certified Chimney Sweeps conduct thorough inspections to ensure your system vents safely. We look for hidden structural flaws, cracks in the chimney liner, water damage, and other issues. A chimney sweep also uses specialized video cameras to inspect the entire length of your flue. This allows the technician and homeowner to spot minor flaws in real time, preventing them from escalating into costly repairs or structural failures.
Professional Chimney Sweeping
Our professional chimney sweep uses industrial-strength vacuums with HEPA filters, specialized rods, and brushes to remove soot, creosote, and debris without making a mess inside your living room or damaging the masonry. You will find that a professional sweeping restores proper draft and improves indoor air quality.
Flue Obstructions
Between the tree-lined streets and the proximity to the lake and river, our chimneys are ideal spots for curious animals seeking a warm, safe place to nest. Our technicians often clear out active or abandoned nests built by:
- Gray Squirrels & Raccoons: These mammals view an uncapped chimney as a perfect, warm hollow tree for raising their young, often packing the flue tightly with leaves, twigs, and insulation.
- Chimney Swifts: These protected migratory birds fly up from South America every spring and literally glue their nests to the vertical brick walls inside your flue.
- Starlings & Pigeons: These birds love to gather on the warm rim of a chimney top, accidentally dropping debris down the flue or getting trapped inside.
Whether it’s a dense wall of twigs, a family of raccoons, or layers of flaky creosote, these physical obstructions block dangerous carbon monoxide from escaping your home, forcing it back into your living spaces.
How Often Does My Chimney Need Sweeping in Niagara Falls?
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), chimneys, fireplaces, and vents should be inspected at least once a year.
Since the Western New York region experiences prolonged, freezing winters, local heating systems are used frequently over several months. If you use your fireplace as a primary or frequent secondary heat source, your chimney may require additional sweeping to remove soot, creosote, and debris.
Local Certified Chimney Sweep in Niagara Falls, NY
Regardless of how often you light a fire, annual chimney sweeping and inspections are vital to preserving your chimney and protecting your home and family.
Call or fill out the form on our website to schedule your chimney sweep today and experience legendary service from a local company that has served Niagara Falls, Niagara County, and Western New York for over 60 years.
