Did you know that the National Fire Protection Association recommends that homeowners have their chimneys inspected at least once a year?
At London Chimney, safety is our top priority. Our CSIA-certified technicians use state-of-the-art equipment to inspect and clean first- and second-story chimneys of all kinds – including oil- and wood-burning chimneys.
We’ll ensure that your chimney and venting systems are safe and operating at optimum levels.
Chimney Inspection
We conduct a 21-point safety inspection to ensure that your fireplace is in excellent working order. During this inspection, we look for any problems that could prevent peak performance and recommend what steps, if any, are needed for your system to burn cleanly and safely.
We do three levels of inspection, and our qualified technicians can help you assess which one is right for you:
- Level I – This is our most-common inspection performed for maintenance and safety. A certified chimney sweep verifies, visually, that the chimney structure, both interior and exterior, is sound and that the chimney is free of obstructions and combustible deposits, such as soot and creosote.
- Level II – This inspection uses a camera to thoroughly see what’s happening inside the flue liner of the chimney. If there’s anything that presents a concern – any voids, gaps or cracks in the lining – our technician will take pictures and review them with you. A Level II inspection should be performed if you are buying a new house, if you suspect there’s been a chimney fire or if there has been some kind of structural change to the chimney itself (i.e. the chimney was struck by lightning).
- Level III – If a Level I or Level II inspection suggests a hidden hazard and the evaluation can’t be performed without access to concealed areas, we recommend a Level III inspection. During this inspection, we confirm the proper construction and condition of concealed portions of the chimney structure and the flue. This type of inspection is generally necessary when investigating an incident that has caused damage to a chimney or building or where a hazard is suspected.
Have a gas fireplace? You don’t need the same kind of cleaning as a wood-burning fireplace, but regular inspections are still important to make sure that the liner to the gas unit is completely sealed and there are no cracks or blocks in your pipes that could result in a carbon monoxide leak in your home. We can help with that too!
Chimney Sweeping and Cleaning
When your chimney isn’t clean, it doesn’t work as well as it should. Wood-burning produces soot and creosote which builds up inside the flue liner during use. This needs to be removed regularly – every one to two years depending on use. Sometimes there are signs that it’s been awhile since you’ve had your chimney cleaned. These can be a smoky, campfire-like smell or smoke coming into your home.
Regular cleanings can help your fireplace function and perform as efficiently as possible.
In our first-class cleanings, we use high-powered rotary brushes to make sure we get the best clean on the flue area and the smoke chamber. During the cleaning process, our triple-filtered vacuum system collects residue from the power brush cleaning. We also seal off the fireplace area with heavy duty plastic and lay down drop cloths, making sure that your home stays “white-glove” clean during the entire chimney sweeping process!
Dryer Vent Inspection and Cleaning
Did you know that lint from your dryer is extremely flammable and spreads fire very quickly?
In order to keep your home safe, it’s important that you clean your dryer lint screen after every load of laundry. But you should also have your ventilation ducts cleaned to remove stubborn lint formation and eliminate any potential fire hazard. Removing this lint will also allow your dryer to more efficiently dry your clothes!
Furnace and Hot Water Inspection and Cleaning
It’s possible for debris to get into your furnace and hot water heaters. At London Chimney, we’ll inspect and remove those blockages. We can also help you determine if you need to replace your existing furnace liner with new, aluminum liners.