Chimney Sweep Near You in Medina, OH: Trust Chim Cheroo for Your Sweepings, Inspections, Repairs & More
We’re proud to bring the best chimney and fireplace services near Medina and surrounding areas. If you need to schedule a chimney sweep or inspection service with our crew, don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here and always happy to help! Simply give us a call or reach out online today.
What’s the Difference Between a Chimney Sweep & a Chimney Inspection?
Many find themselves wondering just how sweepings and inspections are different from one another. And since most companies will perform these services together, many often might ask – are they technically the same service?
Well, they’re not the same service, but they do go hand-in-hand.
- A chimney sweeping is all about clearing your flue – removing soot, creosote, and blockages – to keep your chimney running safer and more efficiently.
- A chimney inspection is about assessing the condition of your chimney. The tech will check for damage, structural issues, and safety hazards. There are three levels of inspections, depending on your situation (like after a fire or before selling your home).
In short, a chimney sweep is a cleaning, and an inspection is a safety check. You should be scheduling this maintenance once per year, or more often if you use your fireplace often during the burn season or year round.
We’re trained to help with everything your chimney system needs – top to bottom, inside and out. Whether your chimney is historic or newly built, we can help with it all.
What Is Creosote & How Is It Dangerous?
Creosote is a dark, tar-like substance that builds up inside the flue or chimney liner when you burn wood – especially unseasoned or moist firewood. It’s made up of smoke particles, gases, and other byproducts that condense as they rise and cool in your chimney. Over time, these residues layer and harden, forming creosote.
Creosote comes in three stages:
- Stage 1 (Light Soot): This type of creosote is what we’ll normally encounter in healthy and regularly maintained chimneys. It’s flaky and easily brushed away.
- Stage 2 (Tar-like): When creosote is allowed to layer and buildup, or if you’re not burning your fires efficiently, it will become sticky, hardened, and more difficult to remove.
- Stage 3 (Glazed Creosote): This is the more flammable type, appearing as a thick, glossy, and hardened layer. This stage often requires professional removal with specialized tools or chemical treatments.
Why Is Creosote Dangerous?
Creosote is extremely flammable – depending on the type, even a small spark or some high heat in the chimney can ignite it, leading to a chimney fire that can cause significant damage and make using your fireplace unsafe.
Heavy creosote buildup also narrows the flue opening, making it harder for smoke and gases to exit your home – and increasing the risk of smoke damage and health issues.
To avoid creosote buildup in your chimney, burn only seasoned (dry) hardwood, keep fires hot and well-ventilated, and have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a year.
Is a Chimney Sweeping & Chimney Cleaning the Same Thing?
The terms chimney sweeping and chimney cleaning are often used interchangeably, and here in the chimney sweep industry, they always mean the same service. So, don’t worry about using the correct lingo when you schedule – whether you say “sweeping” or “cleaning,” we’ll know what you mean.
Which is technically correct? “Sweeping” is the more appropriate term. This because your chimney will never be “clean” – like how you might clean a bathtub or tile floor. Rather, our techs can “sweep” out any extra debris, creosote, soot, and buildup.
So, while both phrases are commonly understood to mean the same thing, and either will get you the service you need, “chimney sweeping” is more precise.
Medina, OH Chimney Company: We’re Who Locals Trust
When it comes to keeping your chimney and fireplace safer, cleaner, and working more efficiently, you can count on the experienced professionals at Chim Cheroo in Medina and surrounding areas. From thorough sweepings and detailed inspections to expert repairs and maintenance, we proudly serve homeowners with reliable, friendly service.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment and see why so many local families trust Chim Cheroo for all their chimney needs.