When a winter storm warning is issued, it is too late to clean and inspect the fireplace and chimney for safety issues. Your family relies on the heat and safety of your fire place and chimney. Don’t wait until the harsh winter weather is here.
We get a lot of service calls in the coldest weather. Snow, ice and freezing rain create an urgency in folks to prep for an upcoming storm. Unfortunately, even the best chimney service requests struggle to fill the needs of their customers during a winter storm warning.
Chimney sweep company in action
If a winter storm warning is issued, what do I do?
If you have concerns about your fireplace and chimney, call your chimney company anyway. They want to help people even in the most trying times. We have worked customers into an appointment after dinner to keep their heating working. Don’t be shy but also be respectful. Demanding and shouting about service when the temperatures are in the teens is not going to get you fast service.
A safety tip – if smoke or fumes are entering your room or home, put out the fire immediately. Carbon monoxide can build up and it is extremely toxic. Call us for service. Even if it is after hours, our system will take your message and forward it. Just do not use the fireplace until we have checked it out.
Every homeowner (both owners and renters) should buy several fire extinguishers. According to the National Fire Protection Association, a fire breaks out every 90 seconds or so. It is too late AFTER a fire starts.
Fires will begin if embers pop out on a rug or carpet. Burning loose papers or other materials in a fireplace are dangerous to the room. We recommend every home buy several fire extinguishers. Hopefully, they are never needed.
Our trucks are stocked with fire extinguishers as a service to our customers. We are happy to provide them (and mount them if needed) for a nominal fee.
Obviously, the kitchen is where everyone thinks fire extinguishers belong. That is true, but every wood-burning stove and fireplace in your home should have an extinguisher close. They can mount on a wall beside the fireplace. They can be stored in cabinets.
Locations to buy several fire extinguishers
Kitchen for the stove
Wood-burning stoves (each one)
Fireplace (bedrooms, basement and bonus rooms)
Outdoor fireplace or fire pit
Garage for cars or rechargeable tools
Near gas or propane water heaters (if in a different area from above)
Additionally, if you have a golf cart or ATV, the charging stations will require an extinguisher as the batteries off gas at times. Don’t forget the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in these areas, also.
At ClearChimney, our main focus is keeping your family safe. Young children and grandchildren must be protected.
At the very least, have several fire extinguishers in the house. Have them in the garage. Have extinguishers in the trunk of your car.
Remember, when a fire breaks out, it is too late. Do not let others grieve because a fire extinguisher was missing.
Looking for an honest chimney sweep near me? Clear Chimney offers chimney inspections, fireplace cleaning and chimney caps, flue liner installations and much more. We also offer the design and installation of wood burning stoves, fireplace inserts and gas logs.
It is important to establish a long term relationship with a trusted provider. Remove creosote build up frequently. We often hear of other contractors not responding to request for days or weeks. We recently hear a contractor wanted $350 just to come out and look at the issue. Really? That type of service is not what an honest sweep company provides.
Finally, check out our service area. We are one of the few providers that travels around east Tennessee. Also, our service area goes from Cookeville TN to Morristown and down to Chattanooga TN with planning. Therefore, if you live in east Tennessee or even in southern Kentucky or far western North Carolina, we can service your fireplace with planning.
We can be reached via our phone number above or at the link here:
