When is the best time of year to have my chimney cleaned?

It is best to have your chimney cleaned once you have finished using it for the winter season, usually during March, April or May. If chimney swifts use your chimney for nesting, it is best to have your chimney cleaned in early March, before they begin their migration.

Why should I have my chimney cleaned?

Between 1999 and 2002, the National Fire Protection Association reported an annual average of nearly 54,000 residential fires in the United States. These fires resulted in 320 deaths, nearly 1,300 injuries, and over $637 million in property damage. Chimney fires can be a direct result of failing to perform routine maintenance, such as chimney cleanings and inspections. Cleaning your chimney is one way to reduce the likelihood of a chimney fire and it can also help prevent the odors frequently emitted by a dirty chimney.

How often should I have my chimney cleaned?

The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommends yearly inspections and cleanings as needed. If you are burning wood, it is best to have your chimney cleaned annually for every two cords of wood burned. (One Cord = 4'x4'x8'). If you have an oil flue, inspections are also essential to insure that your chimney is venting properly.

How long will a chimney cleaning take?

A chimney cleaning usually requires approximately an hour to complete; however, this will vary depending on the condition of the chimney.

Will there be a mess left behind after I have my chimney cleaned?

Tri-State Chimney follows several procedures to ensure your home is left clean following a chimney cleaning.

• Clean drop cloths will be placed on the floor to insure against tracking.
• To make sure no soot, dust, or dirt enters your home, large dust containment vacuums will be use to control any dust.
• Your flue, smoke chamber, smoke shelf, and the firebox will be brushed completely before vacuuming.
• After sweeping, the workplace will be thoroughly cleaned and all materials removed from your premises.
• You shall receive a written report detailing the completion of the process and any further maintenance recommended.

Do you need to come inside my home in order to clean my chimney?

To provide a thorough cleaning, our workers will need to go inside your home. Depending on your chimney, we may also need to get on the roof.

Does it really matter which chimney company I decide to use?

Yes! Because the chimney service trade is not regulated and most states do not require chimney sweeps to be licensed, virtually anyone can enter the chimney service field. Here at Tri-State Chimney, we take pride in the training and skills provided to our employees. We are members of all national certification programs for the chimney service industry. At Tri-State Chimney, we have a commitment to education to the highest industry standards.

What is pyrolysis?

When wood is heated, contained moisture evaporates to form steam. As moisture evaporation occurs, heat is absorbed instead of given off during this stage. As temperatures rise, the chemical structure of the wood molecules begins to break down, and hydrocarbons begin to vaporize. Pyrolysis produces a complex mixture of hydrocarbons in the form of liquid tar droplets and combustible gases. Wood combustion is a complex physical-chemical process during which hydrogen and carbon
in the fuel are chemically combined with oxygen to form combustion products and to release heat. Once air and fuel are present, heat must be applied to initiate the combustion process. The continued presence of sufficiently high temperatures results in self-sustained combustion.

What is video inspection?

Video inspection is the best way to evaluate the interior condition of a flue within
your chimney. The presence of glazed and expanded creosote may be an implication of chimney fire activity. The identification of a hidden breach behind a combustible
wall can be a life-saving discovery. Damaged flue tiles can render a chimney unsafe and should be documented and reported to the homeowner for insurance claims. The inspection process is based on NFPA 211, The National Fire Protection Association Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances.

What are Level I, II, and III inspections?

A Level I inspection is utilized when verification of the suitability of the chimney or flue for continued service, under the same conditions and with the same or similar appliance or appliances, is needed.

A Level II inspection is indicated when verification of the suitability of the chimney for new or changed conditions of service is needed or when a Level I inspection is
not sufficient to determine the serviceability of the chimney.

A Level III inspection shall be utilized for concealed areas (caps, crowns, interior chimney wall, etc.) requiring special tools. A Level III inspection shall be required only for those areas suspected of malfunction or damage that cannot be properly evaluated by a Level I or Level II inspection.