How often should my chimney be cleaned?
The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recommends a yearly inspection. Standard woodburning fireplaces, woodstoves or fireplace inserts used to heat the home should be inspected and cleaned every year. As a rule, a cleaning is needed for every cord of wood burned.
How long will it take to clean my chimney and is there any MESS?
It usually takes about an hour to clean most masonry chimneys including setup of tarps, vacuum and tools, cleaning the chimney, and reloading our truck when we've finished. Woodstove inserts can take from 1-3 hours, depending on how often they are cleaned, the type of wood you burn and the way the stove is operated. We guarantee absolutely no mess in your home.
Do I really need to get my dryer vent cleaned?
Absolutely! The #1 cause of house fires is appliances, especially dryers. Lint builds up in the vent (even if you regularly clean the lint filter) and forms a highly flammable "lining" that can catch fire easily. Having your dryer vent professionally cleaned once a year is a small price to pay, considering the alternative. Dryers that have short vents and little usage may be able to go longer than one year. Also be sure you have metal ductwork; vinyl/plastic is flammable and gives off toxic fumes when overheated/burning. We can install a new flame-resistant corrugated metal vent or rigid sheet metal vent, which is much safer.
Tip: install a smoke detector in your laundry area and keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of a lint fire. It could mean the difference between a small fire and one that burns your house down.
Do your services cost more than other chimney sweeps?
No! Ace Chimney Sweep has an iron-clad Price Guarantee. We'll match any competitors' published price or written estimate for the same product or service. Our services are reasonable and affordable, which many of our customers mention in their reviews.
What is a chimney liner?
Most brick chimneys are built with terra-cotta clay tiles that are vertically stacked and mortared inside the brick. The tiles insulate the brick and protect it against heat and gas. Without one, that heat and gas would seep through the porous mortar. Many new liners are stainless steel and insulated for high-efficiency. This is a very effective solution for damaged flues or older unlined chimneys.
Yes! Having a chimney cap (and an animal guard) will keep water and critters out of your chimney. Both can do considerable damage that will cost you much more later on if you don't have one. We supply everything from stainless steel to copper chimney caps that carry a lifetime guarantee. A good cap will keep out birds, animals, leaves, twigs, and rain, which does the most damage. When moisture gets into the mortar joints, they weaken and deteriorate. This is easily preventable with a chimney cap.
Can you do repairs?
We repair fireboxes, mortar, replace lost or damaged dampers and chimney caps, fix crowns and rusted chase covers. We can also repair or replace damaged dryer vent liners. Werepair and waterproof rain damage, remove animals and just about any other issues you could have with your chimney. We even carry a full line of cleaning products and fireplace accessories.
Can you remove moss build-up on my chimney?
Certainly. We use a proprietary process to remove the moss and prevent future growth. Moss on your chimney means the brick is moist, which over time can weaken mortar joints and allow water to get in and damage your chimney.
My chimney has white "powder" on the brick. What is that?
It's called "efflorescence," and it means that water is getting into your chimney brick. When it rains or snows, water seeps into the brick and/or crown. During freeze/thaw cycles, the mortar and/or brick can crack and let more water in. Eventually, the brick is saturated, leaching the lime, minerals and salt from the brick and mortar, which settles on the surface and dries, forming that white "powder." Call us so we can determine the cause and fix the problem for you.
Why should we choose Ace Chimney Sweep as our chimney professional?
Because that is exactly what we are: professionals. Chimney sweeping itself is a fairly simple process, but the venting physics of chimneys are very technical. We are trained, knowledgeable Certified Chimney Professionals™ and we work hard to keep up with changes to building codes and new, safer materials and technology that become available.
We are locally owned and operated, have more than 10 years of experience. Our reviews are excellent and we'd be honored to count you among our many happy customers!
What is your service area?
We serve the Peninsula and Southside areas of VA (see map).
Do you accept credit cards?
We accept VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express, as well as cash, personal checks and PayPal.
