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.

Restore Your Chimney With A Relining

One of the great thing about your chimney is that it’s a fairly easy system to figure out. It’s a firebox on the inside of the house where you build your fire with a brick and mortar hollow tube. The chimney attached, which allows the smoke from the fire to flow outward. Granted, there are a few more components that make the system work more safely and efficiently.

The damper is part of this, and it is located at the base of the chimney and can be opened to allow air in to help your fire burn hotter while allowing the smoke to leave. There’s also the chimney crown, which keeps rain from falling along the joint where the chimney meets the roof. There is also the chimney cap, which keeps rain, animals, and birds out of your chimney while allowing smoke to leave. And most importabtly, there is your chimney liner. What is it and what does it do? We would like to tell you a little more about the function of it below.

Role of the Chimney Liner

The earliest chimneys were as described above: brick and mortar. However, overtime it was discovered that smoke from a fire has a harmful effect on the mortar, and so the idea to line the chimney with a stainless steel liner came about. This solution was so wonderful that many states require that a chimney flue liner to be installed.

There are three reasons to install a chimney liner. First, smoke can have a corrosive effect on the brick and mortar of the chimney. This creates a dangerous situation because cracks in the mortar allow gases released during combustion to filter back into your home. One of the gases is carbon monoxide. This is an odorless, colorless gas which can cause serious health effects such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and, if left undetected, lead to loss of consciousness and even death.

Another reason a chimney liner is so important is that it keep the combustible items that are inside your home and by your fireplace from getting too hot. According to CSIA, if a chimney is left unlined, heat can get through to cause woodwork to catch fire in as little as 3 ½ hours. Having a chimney liner that fits properly also keep your fireplace running more efficiently. This also helps to keep your energy bills down.

Let Us Help You

Chim Cheroo Chimney Service has been installing stainless steel liners for over 20 years, and we are here to help you. If you need a new chimney liner, give us a call today at 419-752-2231 to get started!