Chimney Services » fire prevention
Our Company Blog
by Mike O'Mara | Sep 18, 2017 | Dryer Vent Maintenance
Many homeowners are becoming more and more aware of the importance of dryer vent cleaning. Unfortunately, we hear too many stories of people trying to save money by buying do-it-yourself cleaning kits. Trust us when we say, this isn’t the way to go! You’ll take on a lot of hassle and stress. In addition, you’ll be frustrated when you’re faced with poor results (costing your more money down the line).
Cons Of Dryer Vent Cleaning Kits
In some situations a dryer vent cleaning kit may do an alright job. Yet, for most, more heavy duty equipment is needed. Venting systems in a home can be long, intricate, and winding. With that in mind, the tools that come in these do-it-yourself kits just can’t get the job done right! The rods won’t stretch far enough, they can’t adjust to the many twists and turns, and often times they get stuck (meaning you’ll end up needing professional help in the end anyway).
On top of this, many homeowners just push all of the lint to the back of the vent, failing to actually remove it. This causes bigger clogs to form, and you’ll end up with even more problems than you started out with. In the end, you’ll need someone certified to get the clogs out, meaning you’re out a lot of money. Invest in a pro from the start, and you’ll be happy you did!
What To Expect From Us
When you choose Weststar Chimney Sweeps, you can rest easy knowing you’ve picked the best of the best. Our certified and trained technicians have the tools, expertise, and professionalism that you’re looking for, and we ensure all of the connections are working properly before leaving the job site. No matter what your dryer vent has in store for us, we can get you taken of!
What To Expect From Your Dryer
Many question whether or not dryer vent cleaning really makes a difference. Will the dryer really run that much better? Is it worth the money? The short answer is yes! If your dryer needs to run multiple times to dry a load of laundry, then something isn’t right. A lot of times, all these systems need is a good cleaning to run more efficiently, saving you time and stress. And it lowers your energy bills, too!
When you schedule a cleaning, your clothes will dry in no time and you won’t see as much of an increase in your monthly bills. And did you know it makes your home safer, too? Dryers are known for causing thousands of house fires every single year! It’s definitely not worth the risk when it comes to the wellbeing of your loved ones.
To top it off, many times homeowners think the dryer is the issue, when all they needed was to invest in us! Before you go out and buy a whole new appliance, let us look things over. Your problems made be solved quickly and easily with just one visit from us. The best part is, we’re here for you year after year, so you can schedule your annual cleaning with Weststar Chimney Sweeps every time! Make us your one stop shop for it all. Call today!
by Mike O'Mara | Dec 6, 2016 | Chimney Maintenance
When Santa’s sleigh heads your way, you want to ensure that everything is ready to go for his arrival. While milk and cookies go a long way, he will need a clean chimney to go down, as well. The last thing he has time for on Christmas Eve is a pit stop at the dry cleaner’s. Keep Mr. Claus happy and soot-free this year by scheduling your annual inspection and cleaning with Weststar Chimney Sweeps today!
Clearing Blockages
Smoke and carbon monoxide poisoning are both major threats that can cause health issues and ruin your holidays in a hurry. Birds, squirrels, and other critters can leave behind twigs, leaves, and nesting materials in your chimney, all of which cause blockages and invite countless issues when you go to light your fire. Keep your home free from these fumes by having a professional check things out right away.
On top of scheduling your regular inspection, you will also want to have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout the home. If you do not have these devices, purchase them now and have your chimney sweep set them up while they are there for the inspection. These detectors have saved many lives and can truly make all the difference in whether or not everyone gets out of a burning house safely.
Avoiding Fires
If you own a fireplace, it is important to take all of the necessary steps when it comes to fire safety. As mentioned previously, make sure all of your smoke detectors are installed and working efficiently. On top of this, have a plan set for where everyone needs to go, should a fire occur. Being as prepared as possible is vital when it comes to the safety of your home and family.
If you have enjoyed a fire throughout the evening, make sure it is completely out before going to bed or leaving the home. You will also want to ensure your fireplace stays free from excess creosote and other harmful build-up. A couple of ways to do this is to burn wood that is well-seasoned, and to avoid throwing any paper or trash into your fireplace.
While all of these things will help keep your home free from fires, the most important step is to call in an expert to check things over and clean your chimney with the proper tools and chemicals. Creosote is highly flammable, so ensuring that it is adequately removed is important in creating a safe holiday season. Professionals know where to look and how to access even the toughest and hardest to reach areas. Call the professionals at Weststar Chimney Sweeps today, before getting any fires going.
At Weststar Chimney Sweeps, we take pride in being CSIA certified. We have been serving this area for 30 years and counting, and our customers can vouch for our professional attitude and high-quality services. Please choose us for all of your chimney and fireplace needs and schedule your inspection today!
by Mike O'Mara | Oct 28, 2016 | fire safety
Most homeowners are aware of the various safety measures they should take around their home. Whether it is regularly checking the smoke detectors, cleaning out the gutters, keeping furniture dust-free, or any of the countless chores that make a household run efficiently, it seems that there is always work to be done and appliances to fix up.
One that is not thought about as frequently is the dryer. It seems like a harmless enough device, but the truth is that dryer vents are the cause of nearly 3000 home fires annually. This statistic increases throughout the fall and winter months meaning that now is the time to get any dryer issues addressed! Learn more about how to safely maintain your dryer below.
Check For Lint
When it comes to lint build-up, the lint trap is not the only place you should be checking. Check underneath the lint trap and always scan the inside of the dryer to ascertain that nothing is piling up. Ensuring that lint is cleaned out of every nook and cranny could make all the difference when it comes to keeping your appliance safe for regular use.
Hire A Professional
When it comes to installation, hiring out is the best option for ensuring your machine runs efficiently. Improper installation can cause issues and make the dryer unsafe for regular use. An expert will know what steps to take and how to properly connect the various parts and venting systems.
You will also want to hire out when it comes to regular cleanings. Many do not see the necessity in having your dryer vents professionally cleaned throughout the year, but this is a vital step in home care! Regular cleanings and inspections will offer you peace of mind, knowing your home is safe, and will ensure that your clothes are being dried on the first drying cycle.
Dry Safely!
There are lots of things you can do (or avoid doing) that will help your dryer run more efficiently. Be sure to only run the machine when you are at home and awake so that you will be alert to anything that may be malfunctioning. When drying items, make certain they are safe to use in a dryer. Any type of rubber, plastic, or foam is not suitable for dryer use and should be air-dried. Reading labels will help immensely in knowing what is safe to dry and what is not.
If your lint trap is at all damaged or loose, then refrain from using the dryer until it can be replaced. Also, avoid putting too much laundry in the dryer at one time, as this may cause it to overheat. When in doubt, always play it safe and avoid any potentially risky scenarios.
At Weststar Chimney Sweeps we know the importance of a well-maintained dryer. We pride ourselves on providing expert dryer vent cleaning services and will be happy to help you keep your household as safe as possible. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!
by Mike O'Mara | Sep 7, 2016 | Chimney Inspections
Fall is quickly approaching, bringing crisp weather along with it. For many, this means a period of more frequent fireplace use is ahead. If you are hoping to utilize your fireplace more throughout the upcoming months, then it is time to schedule your annual inspection and cleaning.
Regular fireplace and chimney maintenance is vital in ensuring that your home and family stays safe year round. Check out a few reasons why scheduling that yearly inspection is so important.
Preventing Fire
The more dirt, debris, creosote, and other build-up that occurs within a chimney, the greater your chances are of experiencing a chimney fire. Creosote is known for being highly flammable and twigs, leaves, and other nesting materials brought in by animals will easily ignite when given the opportunity.
A fire will not only damage your masonry and other various parts of your chimney, but can affect the overall structural soundness of your home, as well. On top of this, you put your entire home and family at further risk of harm when the chances of fire are heightened. Reduce this threat by hiring a professional to thoroughly clean every nook and cranny, while using the proper materials.
Ensuring Efficiency
If there are any blockages or damaged parts within a chimney, the entire system will function less efficiently. Without the ability to properly ventilate, a fireplace will spit any smoke and other fumes back into your home and your fireplace will remain unsuitable for use.
To build and maintain productive fires, have your entire fireplace checked out before you put it to work. An expert will clear out any excess debris, remove blockages, and make certain that everything is in proper working condition before any fires are lit. This will ensure that your home will be heated as efficiently as possible, thus reducing energy bills and heightening the overall atmosphere of your home.
Avoiding Harmful Toxins
If blockages are present, then smoke and other toxins are given nowhere to escape. This means friends and family will inhale the harmful gases produced by the fireplace. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to damaged health and hospital visits, so eliminate this risk by having your fireplace inspected before any fires are built.
To help ensure that no harmful gases are escaping your home, ask your chimney sweep about installing carbon monoxide detectors throughout it. This will add an extra level of protection for your family and you can rest easy knowing they are all out of harm’s way.
When it comes down to it, all of these things revolve around protecting your home and ensuring your family members stay in good health. At Weststar Chimney Sweeps, we have all of the tools and expertise necessary for adequately preparing your chimney for the changing of seasons we soon will face. Allow yourself the peace of mind you deserve by scheduling a cleaning and inspection today!
by Mike O'Mara | May 12, 2014 | Chimney Maintenance, fire safety
The exterior wall of your chimney is typically made of masonry. It cannot stand up to excessive heat well, so your flue liner does the job of protecting it.