The National Chimney Sweep Guild recommends having your chimney inspected at least once a year and swept as necessary... for Santa's sake!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
The Chimney Safety Institute of America Reminds Homeowners that Preventative Maintenance Can Save Money and Homes
September 30, 2011 - While many homeowners are struggling to keep up with regular home maintenance expenses this home heating season, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) shares the reminder that saving money in the short term by delaying routine maintenance may mean additional expense in the long run. Preventative maintenance is one way to keep down the cost of keeping your home safe and warm this season. The Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fire Protection Association both recommend that homeowners call a qualified professional for an annual chimney inspection. Only a qualified professional, like a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® will be able to identify and resolve structural and maintenance issues before potential carbon monoxide intrusion and chimney fire hazards risk your time, health or money.
Qualified chimney professionals do much more than simply run a brush up the flue. A CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep will identify and help address installation issues, identify possible venting issues, provide needed maintenance and they will help you identify ways to operate your heating appliances more efficiently.
In addition to encouraging that chimneys and vents are inspected on an annual basis and maintained as needed, CSIA also recommends the following winter heating safety tips:
• Test your firewood’s moisture content. Well-seasoned firewood, with an average moisture content of 20-25 percent, is easier to start, produces more heat and burns cleaner. An inexpensive handheld moisture meter, available at home improvement stores or local specialty hearth retailers, will allow you to test your own wood. In a pinch, you can simply bang two pieces together. When two pieces of seasoned wood are banged together, they make a “clunk” sound. When two pieces of green wood are banged together, they make a “thud” sound. (Learn more about how to select firewood.)
• Learn the language of your chimney and fireplace to level the playing field. The interactive fireplace glossary at www.CSIA.org outlines the thirteen most important terms you need to know to communicate with any professional chimney sweep. The site also offers short presentations on the chimney sweeping and inspection processes.
• Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. In addition to having your chimney inspected annually, experts also recommend installing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on every level of your home and in all sleeping areas. Place detectors in hallways or other large areas of the home where they can measure overall general atmosphere and where they will be most likely to alert you in the case of an emergency.
Annual chimney inspections and chimney maintenance is best left to a qualified chimney professional like a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep. The Chimney Safety Institute of America administers the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep program by which chimney sweeps prove their technical aptitude by passing a series of two exams on industry codes and standards and by signing the CSIA Code of Ethics and maintaining a required level of continuing education. Learn more about chimney safety and locate a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep in your area by visiting www.CSIA.org.
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The Chimney Safety Institute of America is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to chimney and venting system safety. CSIA is committed to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion and other chimney-related hazards that result in the loss of lives and property. To achieve these goals, CSIA devotes its resources to educating the public, chimney and venting professionals and other fire prevention specialists about the prevention and correction of chimney and venting system hazards. The CSIA sponsors National Chimney Safety Week each year during the week prior to NFPA’s National Fire Prevention Week. This year, National Chimney Safety Week is October 2-8, 2011.
Qualified chimney professionals do much more than simply run a brush up the flue. A CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep will identify and help address installation issues, identify possible venting issues, provide needed maintenance and they will help you identify ways to operate your heating appliances more efficiently.
In addition to encouraging that chimneys and vents are inspected on an annual basis and maintained as needed, CSIA also recommends the following winter heating safety tips:
• Test your firewood’s moisture content. Well-seasoned firewood, with an average moisture content of 20-25 percent, is easier to start, produces more heat and burns cleaner. An inexpensive handheld moisture meter, available at home improvement stores or local specialty hearth retailers, will allow you to test your own wood. In a pinch, you can simply bang two pieces together. When two pieces of seasoned wood are banged together, they make a “clunk” sound. When two pieces of green wood are banged together, they make a “thud” sound. (Learn more about how to select firewood.)
• Learn the language of your chimney and fireplace to level the playing field. The interactive fireplace glossary at www.CSIA.org outlines the thirteen most important terms you need to know to communicate with any professional chimney sweep. The site also offers short presentations on the chimney sweeping and inspection processes.
• Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. In addition to having your chimney inspected annually, experts also recommend installing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on every level of your home and in all sleeping areas. Place detectors in hallways or other large areas of the home where they can measure overall general atmosphere and where they will be most likely to alert you in the case of an emergency.
Annual chimney inspections and chimney maintenance is best left to a qualified chimney professional like a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep. The Chimney Safety Institute of America administers the CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep program by which chimney sweeps prove their technical aptitude by passing a series of two exams on industry codes and standards and by signing the CSIA Code of Ethics and maintaining a required level of continuing education. Learn more about chimney safety and locate a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep in your area by visiting www.CSIA.org.
# # #
The Chimney Safety Institute of America is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to chimney and venting system safety. CSIA is committed to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion and other chimney-related hazards that result in the loss of lives and property. To achieve these goals, CSIA devotes its resources to educating the public, chimney and venting professionals and other fire prevention specialists about the prevention and correction of chimney and venting system hazards. The CSIA sponsors National Chimney Safety Week each year during the week prior to NFPA’s National Fire Prevention Week. This year, National Chimney Safety Week is October 2-8, 2011.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Chimney Sweeps are Back in Vogue
When President Obama spoke to the nation in early September about his job creation plan, writers at The Street had already started doing their homework. Chimney sweeps were among the "5 Old-School Jobs That Are Back in Vogue". Other jobs included milkmen, cloth diaper service, butchers and barbers.
According to the article, the chimney sweep trade is making a comeback and is even experiencing job growth due to new and growing demand. "Chimney sweeps are still very much in demand," says Melissa Heeke, spokeswoman for the National Chimney Sweep Guild. "In fact, with annual chimney inspections recommended by a growing number of authorities, chimney service is here to stay."
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TheStreet.com is a leading provider of financial news, commentary, analysis, ratings, and business and investment content, made available through online publications, content syndication and audio and video programming. The website is updated in real time every day to provide timely financial commentary, analysis and investigative journalism, along with investing ideas, trade plans, personal finance tips and lifestyle articles and videos.
According to the article, the chimney sweep trade is making a comeback and is even experiencing job growth due to new and growing demand. "Chimney sweeps are still very much in demand," says Melissa Heeke, spokeswoman for the National Chimney Sweep Guild. "In fact, with annual chimney inspections recommended by a growing number of authorities, chimney service is here to stay."
------------
TheStreet.com is a leading provider of financial news, commentary, analysis, ratings, and business and investment content, made available through online publications, content syndication and audio and video programming. The website is updated in real time every day to provide timely financial commentary, analysis and investigative journalism, along with investing ideas, trade plans, personal finance tips and lifestyle articles and videos.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
SweepMasters Professional Chimney Services Launches New Mobile Website
We are pleased to announce that SweepMasters Professional Chimney Services LLC has
launched a brand new mobile website to help us get closer to our customers and to serve them better. SweepMasters Mobile provides a platform for us to share all the important details regarding our services in a website that has been specifically optimized for mobile phone users having internet access.
The mobile website was built with the mobile customer in mind. Our mobile website makes it easier and faster for customers to access useful information on our many services from their phones. We have included our most-useful web pages arranged in five categories. In our mobile website customers will find detailed information about the services and products that we offer, as well as other useful information such as discount coupons and contact details. There is even an online contact form and an appointment scheduling form that customers can submit to conveniently contact us and book appointments while on the go.
“As the number of customer using smart phones to access information continues to increase, it’s very important that we provide the information they need to make service and repair decisions while on the road. Our user-friendly mobile site will enhance the customer experience and provide the tools they need to connect with us for the service, repair, and customer support information that they need."
We are fully dedicated to providing the best possible service at every point to all our customers. We want to not just meet, but far exceed our customer´s expectations when it comes to customer service and support. Our mobile website is just another way to help us do just that.
SweepMasters Mobile is available to any smart phone user at m.sweep-masters.com. To view the mobile site from a regular computer, visit the link on our company home page at www.sweep-masters.com.
launched a brand new mobile website to help us get closer to our customers and to serve them better. SweepMasters Mobile provides a platform for us to share all the important details regarding our services in a website that has been specifically optimized for mobile phone users having internet access. The mobile website was built with the mobile customer in mind. Our mobile website makes it easier and faster for customers to access useful information on our many services from their phones. We have included our most-useful web pages arranged in five categories. In our mobile website customers will find detailed information about the services and products that we offer, as well as other useful information such as discount coupons and contact details. There is even an online contact form and an appointment scheduling form that customers can submit to conveniently contact us and book appointments while on the go.
“As the number of customer using smart phones to access information continues to increase, it’s very important that we provide the information they need to make service and repair decisions while on the road. Our user-friendly mobile site will enhance the customer experience and provide the tools they need to connect with us for the service, repair, and customer support information that they need."
We are fully dedicated to providing the best possible service at every point to all our customers. We want to not just meet, but far exceed our customer´s expectations when it comes to customer service and support. Our mobile website is just another way to help us do just that.
SweepMasters Mobile is available to any smart phone user at m.sweep-masters.com. To view the mobile site from a regular computer, visit the link on our company home page at www.sweep-masters.com.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Find Us on Thumbtack!
Chimney Cleaning
SweepMasters Professional Chimney Services LLC, a full-service chimney sweep company, is your trusted source for high-quality chimney care in Northern Virginia.
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Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Annual Chimney Inspection Appointments Encouraged During National Chimney Safety Week September 26 – October 2, 2010
The National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) reminds homeowners to schedule annual chimney inspections before using fireplaces and wood stoves this season. Annual chimney inspections allow the chimney sweep to note cracks, creosote buildup or other obstructions which may diminish the functionality of the system and create an environment where chimney fires or carbon monoxide intrusion are likely.
The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) estimates that 25 percent of home heating fires are caused primarily by creosote buildup in the chimney. NFPA additionally recommends that all chimneys serving gas or wood-burning appliances are inspected on an annual basis.
NCSG encourages homeowners to hire professional chimney sweeps with verifiable memberships, credentials and insurance. NCSG members have access to the latest training and equipment used in the industry and have agreed to abide by a formal Code of Ethics. Homeowners may locate an NCSG member company by visiting www.ncsg.org.
# # #
The National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) is a 501 (c) 6 non-profit trade association existing to promote the success of its members by providing progressive services, encouraging professionalism and ethical accountability, and advancing the chimney and venting industry through public awareness of the trade.
The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) estimates that 25 percent of home heating fires are caused primarily by creosote buildup in the chimney. NFPA additionally recommends that all chimneys serving gas or wood-burning appliances are inspected on an annual basis.
NCSG encourages homeowners to hire professional chimney sweeps with verifiable memberships, credentials and insurance. NCSG members have access to the latest training and equipment used in the industry and have agreed to abide by a formal Code of Ethics. Homeowners may locate an NCSG member company by visiting www.ncsg.org.
# # #
The National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) is a 501 (c) 6 non-profit trade association existing to promote the success of its members by providing progressive services, encouraging professionalism and ethical accountability, and advancing the chimney and venting industry through public awareness of the trade.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Firewood Selection
 | The quality of firewood that you burn will greatly affect the efficiency of your system. The main factors you should be concerned with are moisture content, tree species and piece size. |
Burning wood that is wet will result in a loss of energy output because the energy being consumed is primarily used for boiling and evaporating the water present in the wood. Properly seasoned wood burns easily and efficiently. Cut and split wood in early spring, stack under cover for burning in the fall.
Consult your firewood dealer for more tips and questions. Wood varies in hardness. While both hard and soft wood can be used for burning in your fuel system, there is a difference between the two types of wood. Generally hard wood will create hotter smoldering coals and will burn for longer periods of time. Soft wood can be used for short hot fires. Use hardwood for longer burns.
Piece size affects the rate of consumption. Larger pieces release their energy slowly. Small pieces are better for short, hot fires.
Finally, a two-three day wood supply should be kept indoors. Wood brought in from outdoors in winter and burned immediately will cool the fire too much and prevent proper combustion.
 The list to the right shows common wood species arranged in order from hardest to softest. |  |
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