There are several do-it-yourselfers in the Bow Valley.
It’s only fair to try and cut corners with certain things. It’s even understandable to postpone a select few maintenance projects “till next year.” However, some things absolutely need to be done by qualified, certified professionals.
Here’s one example to put things into perspective. We all brush and floss regularly... right? Well, for people that aren’t practitioners of preventative maintenance, their dental bills are usually more painful than their procedure.
Rightfully so, less care on your behalf equals extra time in the chair. Now, imagine if our mouths caught fire when we’re overdue for a checkup and cleaning.
In the case of overdue chimney maintenance, that’s exactly what happens. Wood-burning systems and their chimneys overdue for a “check-up and cleaning” are more likely to burst into flames or to “have a sudden occurrence,” as it’s known in the chimney industry.
When chimney fires happen, they usually come with more repercussions than just an expensive cleanup bill. Chimney fires can cause catastrophic damage to your chimney liner.
Most recently installed chimneys are certified and can withstand the 1,400 F temperatures that can occur during a chimney fire. However, several chimneys in the Bow Valley and throughout Canada are past their manufacturers’ recommended 25-30 year lifespan. Of more concern are homes that are more than 30 years old, most of which have terribly inefficient fireplaces/chimneys or worse, uncertified chimneys/wood-burning systems.
How can you tell what kind of system/chimney you have?
Your best bet is to call your local fireplace store (Canmore is fortunate to have a couple of good ones) and to ask them to recommend their preferred chimney service professionals. With decades of experience behind them, they’ll be sure to point you in the right direction.
Several insurance providers are seeking W.E.T.T. Certified Chimney Sweeps, Installers and Inspectors to properly assess the condition of their policy holders’ wood-burning systems.
Going back to the title of the article, only a few people clean their own chimneys, which can be a concern. However, a major problem is fly-by-night companies that offer chimney sweeping deals. Some outfits will come in from the city and will call or otherwise solicit their business to you and unfortunately lots of people hire these contractors to save a few dollars.
Please use due diligence when choosing your chimney sweep, as you would for your family’s dentist.
Here are some tips on being a responsible, accountable wood-burning systems operator:
Source sustainable, well-seasoned firewood locally.
Know the difference between an esthetic and a functional fireplace.
Learn how to burn as efficiently as possible to reduce emissions. Marc LeBlanc, Blackbear Chimney Service
