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Important Questions to Ask the Chimney Sweep

During the winter, homeowners tend to begin cuddling up by the fireplace. They may also begin to use wood stoves and furnaces to keep warm without running up their power bill. Many Homeowners light a fire without having annual inspections and/or cleanings completed. Homeowners often forget the need to have a professional come and complete routine cleaning and maintenance on the chimney. Chimneys should be inspected annually for safety and to minimize the risk of fires. Repairs, cleaning, and routine maintenance should be conducted as indicated by the inspection.
 
It is the national standard for safety to have the inspections done annually. Even if you do not use your chimney regularly; you must have this done. Deterioration and wear and tear occur whether you want it to or not. Animals and outside debris still have access to your chimney and can cause problems, that if left unaddressed can lead to you losing your home. If you cannot remember the last time you had your chimney cleaned, you may want to call a professional to come and inspect the chimney. Choosing a chimney sweep can be overwhelming and you must choose one that knows what they are doing. They need to be as dedicated to your safety as you are. Here are some questions you can ask them as you decide what professional to allow in your home.
 
One of the first things you should ask them is how long they have been in the business. This is important because there are several different ways that you should ask this question. A professional could tell you that they have been in the business for ten years and, they have only actually inspected about ten chimneys. You want to ask them how long they have been in the business, but you must take this to the next step and ask questions about their experience. You can ask an estimate of how many jobs they have completed, or how many they completed in the past month.
 
You also want to ask for references. A reputable company is not going to have a problem providing you with references. They are going to understand your hesitance with wanting to protect your money. Ask the professional chimney sweep if there has ever been a complaint filed against them. Ask them what the results of the complaint were. Has it been resolved or are there still pending legal issues? What were the details of the complaint? A legitimate company will not have a problem discussing this.
 
Finally, you want to make sure that you, your family, and your property are protected from any mishaps that may occur during the process. For this reason, make sure that you ask about the types of insurance the company carries. Are their employees protected when they come to your home, or are you liable if someone is injured on your property? Make sure that you ask about their certifications as well as this speaks to their level of qualification.