When things are going well, that’s usually the time they get taken for granted. This can be very true of chimneys. They are easily taken for granted because they have most likely been unused for the past few months. It’s not until the last minute when the temperatures dip that we remember our chimney hasn’t been cleaned or inspected. It’s at that time we go looking for a chimney sweep.
It’s usually during an emergency when people fail to do their due diligence. They may be so desperate for help that they forget to be discerning. Hiring people who need a quick buck and are not properly equipped or insured could cause you to waste hard-earned cash or waste weeks or even months of time waiting on repairs.
How to find the right chimney sweep
Get referrals and reviews – Ask your neighbors and friends who they use, the next best thing is to read Google reviews carefully. Many companies pay to have reviews written so take them with a grain of salt.
Ask if they are licensed and insured – Some states require those who work on any type of gas appliance to be licensed. This license could prove they have the necessary knowledge and that they are in compliance with the state. As far as insurance goes, if an accident should occur, you would want to know that the chimney sweep would be taken care of but that any damage to your house would be covered as well.
Get a Certified Chimney Sweep – The Chimney Safety Institute of America is one of the main organizations responsible for training chimney sweeps in the United States. If someone has been certified by this organization, it means that they have had many hours of training regarding chimneys, their care, and potential hazards. Self-taught individuals are amazing but there is no real way to gauge what they do or do not know, and the learning curve could cost you.
Transparency – Have you ever been to a doctor that refused to talk to you or ignored your questions? Definitely not a good experience. When it comes to your chimney, the best companies will be honest and keep the lines of communication open from start to finish.
Longevity – When it comes down to it, companies that have been around for 10 years or more have the experience to deal with a variety of problems, whether from the insurance company, make and model of chimneys, housing codes, or structural issues. Look for an established company that has worked in the community for a long time. They didn’t get that stability by doing shoddy work, mistreating, or stealing from their customers.
It can be stressful to trust a new company but if you look for those 5 things you at least have a better chance of getting the service you need, done correctly. We here at A1 Chimney know how intimidating it can be to trust a new company. The good news is that we have been taking care of our customers in Tennessee for more than 20 years. If you have any questions or are in need of service, give us a call or contact us online to schedule your services today.
