Looking for a Chimney Sweep Near Jacksonville, FL? Trust Hudson Chimney!
You probably keep most things in your home clean for aesthetic reasons, and while a clean chimney is certainly a more attractive chimney, your system mostly needs to be cleaned for safety reasons.
Simply put: a dirty chimney can cause a house fire. This occurs when creosote builds up on the sides of your chimney. Creosote is a highly flammable byproduct of wood that’s not been completely burned. When wood is burned, not all the smoke escapes from the chimney. Some cools down and becomes solid, which creates creosote. Sweeping the chimney removes this flammable residue. Not only are these deposits a fire hazard, but they can also corrode flue tiles and metal flue pipes, which can cause unpleasant odors in your living space. Additionally, dirty chimneys make you and your family vulnerable to other damages like carbon monoxide poisoning.
We understand that there are so many things to add to your “to-do” list, but for your safety, annual sweeping should be made a priority. Fortunately, Hudson is proud to have a team of the best chimney sweeps in Jacksonville! All of our techs are highly trained, qualified, and certified with the Chimney Safety Institute of America, so no matter if you’re looking to schedule your annual chimney cleaning or need to book some repairs, you can trust that you’re in good and capable hands.
Call us at 904-282-4159 today, or fill out this form online to make an appointment with one of Hudson Chimney’s talented professionals.
Why Are Regular Chimney Sweeping and Cleanings Important?
Establishing and maintaining a regular and routine task list is a must when it comes to owning a home. Because of all the dangers associated with fireplaces, stoves, and chimneys, it is especially important to stay on top of the preventive services that promote both safety and appliance performance. The two most common: chimney cleanings and inspections.
On occasion, someone will call us and ask to do a sweep without an inspection. It may seem like a good way to trim down costs, but when you factor in the potential risks (and expense!) of not inspecting, we do not recommend this approach. We are here to help you understand the requirements and safety codes and regulations, which is why we perform our work according to the National Fire Protection Code (NFPA 211). This code recommends that all chimneys get inspected every year and swept as needed, but at least once anually. That is precisely what we do.
Having your system professionally brushed out every year can help protect you against a variety of dangers such as:
- Creosote accumulations (in increasing degrees of severity that are more difficult to remove)
- Flue blockages that can cause excessive smoke and backdrafting
- Animals and other debris entering your home
- Costly repairs down the line when damage makes itself known
- Carbon monoxide exposure/posioning
Basically, keeping up with these preventive services means that you don’t have to be reactive later. And if you happen to find yourself digging through the Google search results of “chimney cleaning Jacksonville, FL,” we can save you the trouble. Call Hudson Chimney for a job well done. You can reach us by phone at 904-282-4159, or through our contact form, right here on our website.
What Does the Chimney Sweep Process Look Like?
For almost all chimneys, the chimney sweep process goes like this:
- First, we tarp the area in front of your fireplace so that your carpet and floor are kept clean. We also set up a vacuum with a special filtration device so soot won’t enter your living space.
- Then, we sweep the inside of your fireplace – from the firebox floor to the top of the flue – using brushes on rods, hand brushes, and a vacuum.
- We clean and adjust your chimney’s damper, checking to make sure the damper is assembled and installed correctly.
- Next, we inspect the exterior of your chimney, paying close attention to the mortar, brickwork, and crown on masonry chimneys and checking chase construction, the chase pan, and the spark arrestor on factory-built (or prefabricated) fireplaces.
- Finally, we document our findings with photos or video footage and then make sure that you receive a written evaluation of your chimney.
Hudson Chimney makes the chimney sweeping process quick and painless, taking care to fully and thoroughly clean from the bottom of the chimney all the way to the very tip-top. Our CSIA-certified chimney technicians will ensure that your appliance is in excellent condition, so that you don’t have to worry about dangers like carbon monoxide poisoning or other potential high risk situations. And if they do find issues? Our experts will provide options and discuss costs to remedy problems as best as we can, including: damaged or deteriorating flue liners, soot buildup, debris clogging the passageway and animal or bird nests obstructing chimney flues.
A Quick Note on Chimney Sweep Pricing…
Our sweeping system is set up to help our customers prepare for the cooler seasons and an increased use of their heating appliances. What does this mean, exactly? We’re proud to offer discounts to our repeat customers for sweeping services done in the slow season (any time over the spring or summer).
However, keep in mind: we do have to charge a premium for the busy season during the fall and winter. This is in part due to the additional costs and in part to help our customers stay on track and do the service before it might be needed in the chillier months.
Questions? You can learn more about our pricing and our services by getting in touch through our website. Ready to schedule your yearly chimney sweep? Give us a call at 904-282-4159.
How Does Cleaning My Chimney Protect Me from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Chimneys date back centuries, but have you noticed that there are far more cases of carbon monoxide poisoning now than there used to be? This is because houses today are more airtight, which is great for energy savings but not for airflow in and out of your house. The Chimney Safety Institute of America reports that when today’s furnaces and boilers are starved of the oxygen needed to burn fuels completely, carbon monoxide — which is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas — can be produced. Furthermore, some houses are so airtight that exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom can actually pull toxic gases into your home.
When homeowners pair a new high-efficiency gas or oil furnace with an existing chimney flue, things can get especially dangerous, as they may unknowingly invite combustible products into their living spaces. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Fire Protection Association, and the American Lung Association all say that chimney maintenance can help prevent carbon monoxide from entering your home and causing harm to those inside.
Call Hudson Chimney at 904-282-4159 today to schedule your chimney sweep. You can also reach us online, by filling out this appointment request form. With over 40 years of industry experience, you can trust that we’re the best chimney sweeps in the greater Jacksonville area! We look forward to adding you to our long list of happy customers, too.
Having your chimney and fireplace inspected is the first best step you can take toward better home safety. Our chimney and fireplace services cover it all.