When to schedule chimney cleaning in Washington DC

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This means you have to get it in good working order before the cold season hits. You have found your wood source, but now it's time to get on a chimney cleaning in Washington DC scheduled. When is the perfect time to do it? There are a couple of things to take into consideration when trying to pick the time for your pre-season cleaning. Not all of them are obvious.

What will the chimney cleaning service do?

This is almost a trick question. If you aren't careful you could wind up with much less than you expect. Many people assume that when they make an appointment for a chimney cleaning in Washington DC that the service will also inspect and do any small repairs needed. That is not true. A chimney cleaning is just a sweep. The service may visually inspect the rest of your chimney and suggest further repairs, but that would be another scheduled appointment.

Why you want to schedule the cleaning sooner rather than later

• Clean the chimney
• Service the flue
• Inspect the liner
• Inspect the cap
• Inspect the exterior of the chimney

Now, stop and look at that list. The last three on that list could mean more work on your chimney before it is safe to use it for the season. If you wait until the week before Thanksgiving to have your chimney cleaned and inspected, at what time of the year do you think the service will have an opening to come back and do work if they find your liner needs replacement? This is why you are much better off getting your cleaning scheduled as early as possible in the autumn so there is time to accommodate any additional repairs you may need.

If you are thinking about an insert, have them clean and inspect the chimney first

Adding an insert is getting more and more popular in the DC area because it can help you reduce your heating bills. Adding an insert is not an alternative to repairing and maintaining a chimney. You need to call your Washington DC chimney cleaning service to have the whole chimney cleaned and inspected before the insert is installed. It is also a good idea to have them do the installation. There are many different types of vent pipes and connections available to make sure that the insert you chose is going to be as efficient and safe as possible in your home. Your contractor can help you pick the right venting system and install it for you so you don't have to worry about a thing.