A chimney cleaning and inspection is necessary to protect you, your family, and your home from dangerous fires. Thus, it is important to be sure you are hiring a qualified and reliable chimney sweep company with trained technicians. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Check Credentials
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that people take a few steps when considering which chimney sweep will perform an annual inspection or related service on their chimney or vent. Because proper care and attention to service can help protect people from unnecessary fires and carbon monoxide poisonings, it is important to choose the professional wisely. While the CSIA recommends that people consider a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep®, there are additional questions that should be asked to ensure that the person hired is a credible service technician:
There are more than 1,600 CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps located within North America. To ensure that homeowners receive a certified sweep at every job, all chimney sweeping companies promoting the credential are required to have a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep on every job site. To locate a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep, please use the CSIA Certified Professional Locator on this site. Source: CSIA.org
Get Multiple Estimates
Obtain at least three different estimates for service. Interview potential sweeps and discuss specifics, like: Is your fireplace smoky when you start a fire? Does it smell? Is your fireplace drafty? Have you detected bird feathers dropping into the grate from above? Have you seen or heard something to suggest there may be birds or rodents nesting in your fireplace? Does the damper move back and forth easily? Are you seeing moisture in the firebox when it rains?
Ask for a written estimate and ask if they can provide a solid, contracted price for the service. Source: EnlightenMe
Avoid Chimney Sweep Solicitors
Ignore chimney sweeping businesses that solicit by phone or door-to-door and claim they were just “in the neighborhood”. These scammers promise an extremely low price for a chimney cleaning, but once they start working they will “discover” an urgent repair. Scammers will take your money and leave the job unfinished or worse than it was before. A legitimate, reputable, chimney sweeper will supply photo and/or video evidence if there is a serious repair needed. Source: BBB.org
If you’d like more information, contact us now!
Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing and Drains Ltd. Ltd.
168 W 71st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5X 4S7
604-360-2114
