Our Company Blog

We Offer A Wide Range of Chimney Services

At Chim Cheroo Chimney Service Inc, we specialize in all things chimney-related. This means that no matter what your chimney issue is, whether it’s a simple inspection and cleaning or a major repair job, there’s only one solution for who to call: Chim Cheroo Chimney Service. Our chimney sweeps are CSIA certified, which means that we have access to the best training and the best education in the industry. And that education is ongoing. We take advantage of the training opportunities that come available to make sure we stay on top of the industry standards and regulations. We are also members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild, and take advantage of the educational opportunities they offer as well. Because of these certifications, our customers are assured of receiving the best service in the business! Read on for an explanation of some of the services we offer.

Chimney Cleaning

One of the most common things we do, and the most requested, is chimney inspection and cleaning. Because this is such a vital service, it is recommended that you have it done every year. There are three levels of chimney inspections, depending on the amount of work that needs to be done and how responsible you have been with having your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned on an annual basis. A Level One inspection is just a standard inspection, where we’ll make sure that things look like they are in good condition, make sure there are no blockages, and make sure that your creosote buildup is at less than the minimum requirement. If you have made changes to your heating system, if there may have been damage from a chimney fire or serious weather system, or if you are selling your home, we’ll do a Level Two inspection, which digs a little deeper by using video equipment to see into the interior of your chimney. If you suspect that you’ve had chimney damage, neglected the upkeep of your chimney, or believe that there may be structural damage, then you’ll need a Level Three inspection, which combines the first two levels and they may also require opening up parts of the chimney to get to that damage. We are experienced at every level of chimney inspection, and have the equipment to make the job easy!

Chimney Relining

One area of particular interest during your chimney inspection will be your chimney liner. The chimney liner plays a very important role in keeping your home safe while you’re using your fireplace. There are three important jobs that a chimney liner does. First, it protects the interior of your chimney from the corrosive effects that smoke can have on it. A correctly sized liner will make your fireplace a more efficient heating source. Lastly, a chimney liner will protect the combustibles that are next to your fireplace from the heat that might radiate through the bricks when you burn a fire. But if your chimney liner has cracks or holes, it can’t do these jobs properly. If we see that your chimney liner is in bad shape, we’ll recommend either relining it or using HeatShield, a sealant that can be used to repair specific areas of your chimney.

Leaks

We’ll also look for parts of your chimney that might be leaking. When you have water leaking down your chimney, it can weaken the bricks and mortar and cause your chimney structure to be unstable. It can also cause damage to the interior of your home, weakening your chimney tiles, causing sagging and brown spots. Your walls and floorboards can mold and weaken as well. That’s why we’ll make sure to check out the status of your chimney crown and chimney cap, making sure that the crown isn’t cracked and the cap isn’t rusted or worn. If either of these things are damaged, they may be allowing precipitation to run down your chimney. Also, we’ll make sure that your flashing isn’t torn or rusted. The flashing is the metal strips that are layered at the base of the chimney, redirecting the precipitation away from this junction and keeping water out of your home.

Tuckpointing

If we notice that the mortar between the bricks in your chimney is soft and crumbly, if there are white specks on the ground around your chimney, or if the bricks are loose in areas, we’ll recommend that we do tuckpointing. This entails picking the mortar out from between the bricks using tools specially designed for the task, then replacing that mortar with fresh, making sure that it matches the existing mortar so that your chimney looks great and is sturdy enough to last for many more years.

Any Necessary Repairs

No matter what types of chimney work your chimney needs, whether that be waterproofing, repairing your chimney crown, replacing your chimney cap, or any type of chimney rebuilds or restorations, there’s really only one question to ask yourself: when are you going to make the call to set up an appointment to have your chimney inspected and cleaned? The professionals at Chim Cheroo Chimney Service can’t wait to make sure that your chimney is in tip-top shape so that your family can enjoy nights of comfort snuggled up in front of a snapping, crackling fire.

Fall, Football, and Chimney Cleanings

Fall is here and in Ohio, that means colored leaves and cooler weather. But that’s not all it means! When you’re from Ohio, you know that fall weather means football! Ohioans love their football, whether it’s the Ohio State Buckeyes you’re cheering on or you prefer the pros and pick the Cleveland Browns or the Cincinnati Bengals. Shoot – when your state is home to the Football Hall of Fame, you know that football isn’t something that Ohioans take lightly! There’s another thing that you shouldn’t take lightly, and that’s having your chimney cleaned.

Inspection, Cleaning, and Repairs

If you own a home with a fireplace, you should be aware of the need to have your chimney inspected and cleaned on an annual basis. This is important for several reasons. First, if you use your chimney on a regular basis over the course of a winter, there is probably a considerable build-up of creosote on the interior of your chimney. Smoke is made up of the moisture that’s left in the wood you’re burning, which is why it’s important that your wood is properly cured. When the moisture and chemicals that are escaping in the form of smoke hit the cool interior of the chimney, it forms that gunky material called creosote, which is also highly flammable. If even an eighth of an inch of creosote exists, it can catch a spark and start a dangerous chimney fire. Many homeowners that burn with gas don’t realize that gas appliances can also cause a corrosive build-up in the chimney. No matter what type of burning appliance you have, it’s important to have your chimney cleaned on an annual basis.

When Chim Cheroo Chimney Service Inc comes in and inspects your chimney, we’ll also be looking for areas that are in need of repairs. It’s dangerous to have cracks in your mortar or chimney liner because your chimney won’t be venting those dangerous gases out of your home like it should be, so we are very careful to make sure that we lookout for any danger areas and take care of repairs before you start using your fireplace again. We’ll also take special care to look at your flashing, chimney crown, and chimney cap to make sure that precipitation is being properly directed away from your chimney openings.

Why Now?

Why is fall the perfect time to have your chimney inspected and cleaned? For one thing, repairs that are left unfixed will only become bigger and more expensive. Also, with cooler weather approaching, you’ll soon start wanting to use that fireplace again, and so it’s important to have your chimney ready for that use. That means making sure it’s clear of creosote buildup and other obstructions and that all areas of breakdown have been repaired. Give us a call today and set up an appointment to have your chimney inspected and cleaned, then sit back and enjoy cheering on your favorite team!