Chimney Service

Just before you begin heating your home for the fall and winter seasons, make sure to have all wood heating appliances and chimneys inspected. Coal furnaces should be inspected at least twice a year; wood stoves should be inspected quarterly for debris and soot build up. Wood burning heating systems, in particular, require careful monitoring and skillful operation. Blockages may prevent toxic gases from escaping and can result in serious health problems. All other heat sources should be inspected annually.

If an inspection reveals a build-up of materials, you may choose to call in a chimney sweep for assistance. Chimney sweeps may install, clean and maintain heating systems, evaluate their performance, prescribe changes to improve their performance, and educate the consumer about their safe and efficient operation. The primary job of the chimney sweep is to help prevent chimney fires, and to reduce the risk of dangerous fume emissions due to blocked chimneys and heating appliances by removing accumulated build up of fuel by-products.

Check with your local municipality to see if chimney sweeps require licensing in your area. If your chimney needs work, you may wish to consider the following suggestions to ensure finding a dependable, reasonably priced chimney sweep for your needs.

  • Check out the company with your local Better Business Bureau.
  • Ask friends, neighbors and colleagues for recommendations.
  • Obtain at least two estimates for the work. Get bids in writing and make sure they include a full description of the services to be provided and the materials to be used.
  • Find out if the company is affiliated with any organizations, and if so, check with the organizations for details on the company's membership standing.
  • Request references from previous clients.
  • Find out what type of services are included in the cost, and if there are any guarantees on the services. For example, if a blockage is missed during the initial cleaning, find out if the company will come back free of charge, or will you have to pay for another service call.
  • Verify the company's insurance. If the company is not properly insured and a worker is injured on your property, you may be liable.
  • Make sure you read and understand the written contract, and that it includes all of the services and fees discussed. Retain a copy of the signed contract, as well as a receipt for any down payment.

For more information, please contact:

Better Business Bureau
(800) 828-5000
www.bbb.org

New York State Consumer Protection Board
(800) 697-1220
www.consumer.state.ny.us

New York State Attorney General
(800) 771-7755
www.oag.state.ny.us

Chimney Safety Institute of America
2155 Commercial Drive
Plainfield, IN 46168
(317) 837-5362
www.csia.org

This report is general in nature and is not intended as a reliability report on any company, service or product.