Home Improvement Ideas - Choose a Clean (Chimney) Sweep

(ARA) - When it comes to protecting your home and family, the chimney is one job where you simply can't afford to get burned. Chimney fires cause millions of dollars in damages each year in America. And trying to clean the chimney yourself can lead to serious injury if you fall off the roof while attempting the job.

It makes sense to hire a professional to clean the chimney and summer is an ideal time to do so. But finding a well-qualified chimney sweep can seem as challenging as tackling the task on your own. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the chimney service trade is not regulated and few states require sweeps to be licensed.

Regular cleaning and maintenance of a fireplace and chimney is essential to home safety. As wood burns and smoke rises up the chimney it leaves deposits of creosote on the interior of the flue. This buildup can catch fire and/or cause deadly carbon monoxide to back up into your home. The Chimney Safety Institute recommends that if you light fires in your fireplace or woodstove three or more times a week during the heating season, proper maintenance would include cleaning and inspecting the chimney once a year. If you burn green wood, twice-a-year cleaning and inspection may be necessary.

Before you thumb through the phone book or hire someone from an add in the local shopper, consider these tips for finding a qualified chimney sweep:

* Educate yourself about your chimney first. Organizations like CSIA and the National Fire Protection Association provide a wealth of information on their Web sites about chimney maintenance and safety. You can learn how frequently your chimney should be cleaned (at least once a year) and warning signs that your chimney needs care (a strong smell or smoke backing up into the house).

* Network. Talk to friends and family members who also have fireplaces. Who do they use? Would they recommend the person to someone else?

* Let someone else do the leg work. Web sites like Service Magic help homeowners connect with qualified contractors in their area. Since the contractors must pay the Web site to be included in their database, the service attracts qualified contractors. You'll be able to request a quote for your job, hear from potential service providers within hours (in most cases), and review the comments and opinions of other consumers who have hired the contractor.

Visit www.servicemagic.com to learn more or to find a chimney sweep in your area.

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