What to Ask When You Hire A Chimney Maintenance Pro

There are many home improvement projects that you can do on your own with the right skills, tools, and resources. In the digital age, some new skills are only as far as away as a 20-minute YouTube video. However, there are a few things that you simply should not attempt on your own, whether due to the highly-skilled nature of the job or its potential dangers. One of the home improvement projects that is best left to the professionals is chimney maintenance. 

When it comes to hiring chimney maintenance, never settle for the first pro you find on a popular search engine. There are a few key questions you should ask a chimney professional before you hire them to come into your home and perform crucial maintenance on an important home appliance. Inquire about what they will do to clean the chimney, in detail, as in a step by step process so you can understand the cleaning process that is designed to protect your chimney and home. This is also a good time to understand rates and ask about insurance and certifications.

Ask the chimney experts you hire or are thinking of hiring, whether they can inspect the other flues in your home other than the fireplace. For some companies, you may see a price break when multiple flues are inspected, so if you are interested in having them all inspected or these discounts, ask. As well, perhaps most importantly in reference to your schedule, ask how long it will take. Especially if your chimney will require more time to clean, inspect, or repair, you will need to accommodate your schedule. 

While you have an expert around, ask the important questions. Ask the chimney maintenance team how often you should have your chimney inspected and cleaned. Because they have inspected your chimney, specifically, and know how often you use it, they will be able to give you a more accurate answer. Ask if they have to go on the roof during the procedure. As well, make sure to ask whether there is soot or creosote in your chimney, in particular, after the cleaning is done - or both.

When it comes to hiring professional and reliable chimney maintenance, even the best-reviewed businesses need to be vetted by you before work is done. Asking the right questions can help you understand the work at hand, whether the crew knows what they are doing and whether you understand what you are getting into.