Trust A CSIA Technician With Your Chimney And Fireplace Cleaning

CSIA Certified Logo

The mark of a CSIA certified chimney technician

As winter weather approaches, now if the time of year when many homeowners having their chimneys swept and cleaned. However, it is important to be wary of who is cleaning your chimney. Instead of going with the cheapest company or hiring someone who simply comes to the door, homeowners should find a CSIA certified chimney sweep.

A certified chimney sweep can do more than just clean your chimney; these highly trained professionals can make sure your fireplace system is in good condition and is safe to use all season long. This year, trust a CSIA certified technician with your chimney and fireplace cleaning!

What is CSIA certification?

The Chimney Safety Institute of America, or CSIA, is a non-profit organization dedicated to chimney and fireplace safety, education, and certifications. The CSIA is widely considered the most prestigious professional organization in the chimney industry, and chimney sweeps with a CSIA certification have had to undergo years of rigorous education and testing.

Because there are so few standards and controls on who can call themselves a chimney sweep, it is important to work with a technician who has professional certifications like those offered by the CSIA. Certified chimney sweeps have a broad knowledge of chimney topics and issues such as:

– Recommended safety techniques and practices
– Current local and national building codes
– Fireplace dynamics and construction
– Fireplace, stove, and insert installation
– EPA emissions requirements for heating appliances

CSIA certifications are not for life; chimney sweeps must retest every three years in order to maintain their certifications. Doing this ensures that CSIA certified chimney sweeps are up to date on the latest advancements in the fireplace industry.

Finding the right chimney sweep

Choosing a chimney sweep is sometimes as simple as opening up the phonebook or doing a quick search on Google. However, before deciding who to trust with your chimney and fireplace cleaning it is important to learn about their certifications along with other information about their business. In addition to having a Certified Professionals Locator, the CSIA also recommends asking questions similar to these before hiring a chimney sweep.

– How long has the company been in business?
– Can the company provide current references?
– Does the company have unresolved complaints with city or state consumer protection agencies or the Better Business Bureau?
– Does the company carry a business liability insurance policy to protect your home and furnishings against accidents?
– Will a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep be on the job site?

Working with a CSIA certified chimney sweep means that you are working with a highly trained professional, not just some guy with a truck. If you’re in the Minneapolis area, trust Jack Pixley Sweeps to take care of your chimney and fireplace cleaning needs. Contact us today to schedule your next chimney appointment!

Don’t Wait Till Fall – Get Your Chimney Swept Now

Spring Chimney Sweeping - Minneapolis MN - Jack Pixley Chimney Sweeps

Spring is a great time to get your chimney swept- call Jack Pixley Sweeps today!

When warm spring weather finally arrives, many homeowners are content to stop using – and thinking – about their fireplaces until they need them again in the fall. However, instead of letting them wait until then to be serviced, homeowners should have their chimneys cleaned in the springtime.

After using your fireplace all winter, have it cleaned in the spring. Having your chimney swept now means that it will be ready for use again as soon as the fall’s first cold snap hits, and is one less maintenance item to worry about this year.

Winter water damage to your chimney

The combination of cold temperatures and moisture such as freezing rain and snow can have a negative impact on your chimney system. The most common cause of chimney damage in the winter is caused by the freeze thaw process. When this occurs, water in the bricks freezes and expands, creating larger and larger cracks and holes that may eventually cause the bricks to crack and fall away.

Chimney systems can be damaged by any amount of water entry, not just in the winter. Chimney leaks from damaged flashing, chimney caps, or chimney crowns can damage the masonry and interior portions of your fireplace and chimney and should be repaired as soon as possible.

The importance of yearly chimney cleanings

The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that homeowners have their chimneys swept at least once per year. National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 also states that, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.”

Chimney cleanings are a great way to guarantee the health and safety of your family. In addition to removing creosote and other chimney blockages, chimney sweeps will also check for any damage that may impact the safety or efficiency of your fireplace. Even homeowners with gas appliances should consider having an annual inspection to ensure their appliances are venting properly and the chimneys have not been damaged.

Having your chimney cleaned and inspected each year allows any emerging problems to be found and repaired before they turn in to major – and costly – issues. Likewise, annual chimney cleanings are an excellent time to have other kids of preventative maintenance – such as waterproofing  – done to your chimney.

Why spring is a great time for chimney maintenance

Chimneys are used the most during the months of fall and winter. Because of this, by the time spring rolls around they often have large amounts of creosote, soot, ash, or other debris in the chimney structure. Cleaning your chimney directly following its period of heaviest use makes the creosote or other chimney blockages easier to remove.

In addition, spring is the best time of year to have masonry or other major repairs completed on your chimney. The mild temperatures and weather allow work to be completed in a timelier manner as there are far fewer weather related delays.

Make getting your chimney swept and inspected a regular part of your spring cleaning maintenance routine. Contact Jack Pixley Sweeps  today to schedule your chimney sweep appointment!

Only Trust a Certified Technician to Clean Your Chimney

Use only a certified chimney sweep like Jack Pixley Sweeps to work on your chimney system

Use only a certified chimney sweep like Jack Pixley Sweeps to work on your chimney system

Fireplaces are an important part of our homes. In addition to serving a decorative or aesthetic purpose, they add value to a house and can serve as a reliable heat source during cold winter months. Despite the importance of proper fireplace and chimney maintenance, many homeowners neglect to complete necessary annual cleanings or attempt to do it themselves.

While DIY projects are a great way to save money on many household projects, cleaning a chimney system is not a project that should be undertaken by the average weekend warrior. By hiring a certified professional, homeowners can guarantee that their chimneys and fireplaces will last for years to come.

Why use a certified chimney sweep?

Just as you would not go to a dentist for a broken leg, it is not recommended to hire a regular renovation company to clean, update, or repair a broken fireplace or chimney. Hiring a certified chimney sweep ensures that the person servicing your chimney system is a trained professional who is up to date with the latest technology, standards, and techniques in the industry.

Most reputable companies will have chimney sweeps certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, or CSIA. With over 1,400 CSIA certified chimney sweeps in North America, it is easy to locate one of these highly trained professionals to service your chimney system. The technicians from Jack Pixley Sweeps are certified by both the CSIA and the National Chimney Sweep Guild.

What can I expect from a certified chimney sweep?

CSIA certified chimney sweeps are held to a higher level of knowledge and professionalism than others working in the industry. Because of this, you can expect your chimney sweep to be knowledgeable about the most recent advancements in chimney, fireplace, and venting safety along with the local building codes and manufacturer’s instructions for newly installed appliances.

Certified chimney sweeps should also act in a professional manner, including taking the time to explain how the cleaning process works, answering any questions you may have, and ensuring that furniture, carpets, and any other home décor is properly protected before beginning. Sweeps will evaluate both the interior and exterior of your chimney system, employing tools like the traditional chimney brush along with more modern technology such as vacuums, cameras, and other electronics.

Why is an annual inspection important?

An annual chimney inspection or cleaning is a chore that many homeowners tend to put off or ignore. Because of this, many small problems that could be easily and inexpensively fixed are not found until they become much bigger, more expensive, and more labor intensive problems.

“A chimney inspection is like an annual dental check-up,” says Ashley Eldridge, Director of Education for the CSIA. “It’s preventative maintenance that helps minimize potential hazards.” Additionally, the National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.”

A certified chimney sweep will be able to not only clean and maintain your fireplace system, but will also be able to identify any areas in need of repair or those that many deteriorate in the future. Sweeps are also able to diagnose the causes behind common issues such as drafty chimneys, water leakage, or animal entry.

Extend the Life of Your Chimney

By ensuring proper care and maintenance for your chimney, you are adding more years to its life and functionality.

By ensuring proper care and maintenance for your chimney, you are adding more years to its life and increasing its functionality.

In chimneys as in life, it’s always worth thinking and talking about the future, and making sure you’re doing everything you can to ensure health, longevity and happiness. Your chimney is an important part of your home — it’s working hard, every time you have a fire, to carry dangerous gases and byproducts up and out of your living area, and protecting the building materials around your fireplace or stove from the high heat produced by that fire. A chimney can also be an expensive thing to tear down and rebuild, so focusing energy on protecting and preserving it is always a good call.

Wondering what you can and should do to extend the life of your chimney? Jack Pixley Sweeps techs are always glad to help our clients avoid headaches and get the most enjoyment possible out of their heating system.

Don’t Skimp On Regular Maintenance

We say it all the time: The best thing you can do for your chimney system (and your long-term and short-term enjoyment of it) is to diligently keep up with regular maintenance.

Annual chimney inspections are important — not only are Jack Pixley technicians able to make sure that your system is venting properly and doing its job effectively, but we’re also able to catch small problems early and make the proper repairs, before those small problems become large, potentially destructive issues.

Regular chimney sweeping is just as important. Creosote and other deposits build up in your flue as you use your appliance, and a dirty chimney can lead to a mix of short-term and long-term problems. Heavy creosote can block your flue and inhibit your chimney’s ability to vent, allowing dangerous gases to enter your living area. It can also lead to a chimney fire that severely damages your flue liner, even your chimney (or in the worst cases, your home) itself. Acidic deposits can also wear at your flue liner over time, leading to worn joints, cracks and gaps.

One of the key things we’ve learned over more than three decades of servicing chimneys in the greater Twin City area: Keeping up with those regular maintenance appointments will make a big difference in the longevity of your chimney.

Be Diligent About Moisture Intrusion

Your chimney system was designed with built-in protection against water intrusion. Your chimney crown is there to divert rain and snow away from the flue. Your flashing is there to keep water from getting into the joints where your chimney and roofline meet. Your chimney cap is there, in part, to help protect your flue opening from moisture intrusion too. Keeping an eye on all of those key areas of protection is worthwhile.

Jack Pixley technicians will always check those components during your annual chimney inspection, but in between inspections, if you notice an issue — a chimney cap that’s come off in a storm, or a part of your flashing that’s pulled up — give us a call. Repairing those issues quickly is important, since chimney leaks can quickly lead to considerable damage.

If you want to be particularly proactive in protecting your chimney system against moisture intrusion and damage, we recommend having us apply masonry water repellant, which helps your masonry deflect water and can significantly lengthen its service life.

Use Smart Burning Practices

A really important thing to always keep in mind: The right fuel for your wood-burning fireplace or stove is seasoned or kiln-dried cordwood, and only that. Burning green or moist wood can create immediate and long-term problems, from increased smoke and staining now to the development of dangerous Third Stage Creosote down the line (which is extremely combustible and extremely difficult to remove). Burning trash, treated wood or plastics can allow toxic gases into your living area, too.

Stick to the right fuel, and it’ll help you enjoy your fires now, and keep your chimney healthier in the long run.

Do you have any questions about how to best care for your chimney system? We’re always glad to help. Give Jack Pixley Sweeps a call!

6 Questions for Your Chimney Sweep

Choosing the right company to handle all of your chimney and fireplace needs can be a tough task.  Knowing which questions to ask can and will certainly smooth out the process for you.

Being an informed homeowner will make the process of selecting a chimney sweep a much simpler one.

Being an informed homeowner will make the process of selecting a chimney sweep a much simpler one.