Certified Chimney Sweep
Your fireplace provides a warm and comforting environment. The spectacular flames are also exciting to watch. However, your chimney and fireplace can become a fire hazard with little warning. The leading cause of thousands of house fires yearly is a failure to clean the flue vent properly.
The best way to ensure your fireplace and chimney are safe is to schedule the certified chimney sweeps at Felgemacher Masonry & Chimney of Charlotte to inspect and clean your chimney annually. We serve customers in Hickory, NC, Gastonia, NC, Cornelius, NC, Mecklenburg County, and communities throughout the Metrolina area.
Why You Need to Hire a Professional Chimney Sweep
Nothing is more natural than the fresh scent of wood burning in the fireplace. However, when the oils in the wood burn during combustion, it distills into a compound known as creosote. The mostly carbon compound adheres to the flue and other interior components as the smoke and fumes expel up the stack.
Creosote becomes more volatile the longer it remains in the chimney, turning into a dark, oily, tarry, and crusty substance that is extremely difficult to remove. It is also highly flammable. A spark from a burning ember, lightning strike, or intense fireplace heat can ignite the creosote and cause a chimney fire that can spread to combustible building materials in your house, like the attic, walls, and ceiling.
So how much creosote is too much? According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, an 1/8” or more layer of creosote is dangerous and should be removed. In addition to fire prevention, there are other reasons why you need a professional chimney sweep:
- Clear flue obstructions
- Remove animal nests
- Improve heating efficiency
- Your HOA or Homeowner’s Insurance Policy May Require It
5 Warning Signs of a Chimney Fire
- Smoke is filling up your fireplace
- You see flames coming out of the flue or chimney chase
- Loud popping and cracking sounds
- You hear a thunderous roar as if a train is rolling through your house
- Your fireplace smells like a campfire
If you see thick smoke or flames coming out of your chimney, quickly evacuate all occupants a safe
distance from your home, such as at the end of your driveway. Stay low to the ground and crawl to the
nearest exit when there is smoke in the house. Call 911 when you are outside.
Minimizing Creosote Buildup in the Chimney
Since creosote is a natural combustion process, it can’t be eliminated. However, there are things you can do to minimize its accumulation:
- Only burn wood that has been “seasoned” or dried for at least six months.
- Ensure your damper is functioning wholly and correctly open before lighting the fireplace.
- Don’t use accelerants to light a fire.
- Never toss a Christmas tree in the fireplace.
- Sweep the fireplace between professional cleaning visits.
Certified Chimney Sweep in Charlotte, NC
Felgemacher Masonry & Chimney is Charlotte’s best source for chimney inspections, cleanings, and repairs. Our certified technicians serve the Greater Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metro Area, including Wadesboro, NC, Shelby, NC, and Monroe, NC.
When it is time for your annual chimney sweep, please give us a call!
704-741-2021
Felgemacher Masonry & Chimney of Charlotte
10806 Reames Rd.
Charlotte, NC 28269
