Owning a chimney is both a great experience as well as a great responsibility. What comes with it are untold benefits, including ambiance, warmth, and energy savings. Along with those comes a need for chimney services or fireplace remodeling. In Washington, PA, many homeowners have fireplace systems that need maintenance. Some of these are basic services, such as a sweep and cleaning. Others are more involved, such as masonry repairs and remodeling with features such as new fireplace inserts.
Regardless of the scope, we can help. Advance Chimney Sweeps has been serving Washington, PA since 1996. Whether you live on Henderson Avenue, Jefferson Avenue, Donnan Avenue, Stewart Avenue, or somewhere in between, our team will be there when you need us.
Fireplace inserts and other services
Our team is skilled in handling a wide variety of other services, such as fireplace remodeling. We’ll often help customers with fireplace inserts during this process, which changes their system from burning one type of fuel to a different kind.
Another option to consider would be purchasing a ceramic gas log set if your fireplace can have a gas line piped in by our NFI certified techs. These emulate the look and feel of wood while switching your fuel source to natural gas.
And in one of our industry’s more interesting twists, freestanding wood stoves are also making a comeback.
The best chimney sweep in Washington, PA
Chimney companies have a major responsibility to homeowners. It’s our mission to keep your family safer and your fireplace in good working order.
One of the best ways of accomplishing this is with an annual chimney sweep and cleaning. This should be conducted annually along with you chimney inspection.
What is that purpose exactly? It helps to remove dangerous creosote buildup from your flue. Creosote is a sticky, tar-like substance. It’s highly flammable, not to mention toxic. As you burn wood, the smoke and moisture coalesce into creosote. Over time, this can lead to significant blockages and even start a house fire if it were to break off and ignite.
Through an annual chimney sweep and cleaning, our team will keep creosote in your flue at bay.
Annual chimney inspections
Each year, we recommend that all of our customers have our team perform a chimney inspection. This helps us identify any problems and recommend solutions. There are two primary types of chimney inspections.
The first we call Level 1 Chimney Inspections. Those are defined as a visual analysis of your chimney, flue, and each of the components within your system. If we discover any warning signs of problems, cracks in your masonry, or evidence of leaks then we will make recommendations on how to repair those issues.
Level 2 Chimney Inspections are more thorough as the process uses camera technology to look deep into the hard-to-reach areas of your system. This type of inspection is also referred to as a real estate inspection. This has a simple reason: before a home can be sold in Pennsylvania, a home with a fireplace must have a Level 2 Chimney Inspection.
Chimney repairs in Washington, PA
After the conclusion of your inspection, our team will then make recommendations as to what type of chimney repairs your home needs. These can be relatively basic, such as fixing or replacing your chimney cap.
Every chimney has a liner. Chimney liners often come in one of two varieties: clay tile and metal inserts. With the former, they’re prone to breakage. We often recommend that our customers replace the older style with one of our metal chimney liners. This can help prevent problems such as chimney leaks.
Your damper plays a vital role in the safe operation of your fireplace. It allows air to flow in and out as needed. If it's malfunctioning, our team can replace or repair it with ease.
More involved chimney masonry repairs
Eventually, you’ll likely need more involved levels of chimney masonry repairs. Chimney crowns are made of masonry materials, which are by default porous. This makes them susceptible to the freeze-and-thaw cycle common to our region. Chimney crown repair is a process that our team uses to get yours back into working order.
This is a relatively simple type of chimney masonry repair. They can also be more involved, including the process of tuckpointing. This repairs your masonry joints that have weathered and deteriorated over time.
Finally, once all of your problems have been repaired we will almost always recommend a layer of waterproofing. This sealant helps to ward off the effects of water damage and prolong the life of your structure.
Offering many chimney services in Washington, PA
Regardless of your need, our team can help. We offer many types of chimney services and will always do so with a committed focus on meeting your needs. Since 1996, we have been building a reputation as the best chimney company in Washington, PA. If you’d like to get in touch, call our offices at (800) 822-2131 or send us a message HERE to book your appointment.
