Questions & Answers

Hazardous buildup of flammable creosote is preventable with proper maintenance.

The old saying "out of sight, out of mind," does not apply to your chimney. A neglected chimney is a fire hazard that can be corrected by a visit from the knowledgeable chimney sweeps at Whempys.

Chimney fires normally are caused by the buildup of Creosote in the flue and chamber.

Creosote has three types of formations:

1) First degree buildup consists of soot found mostly in open fireplaces.
2) Second degree buildup is a crystal formation found in wood stoves and fireplaces with glass doors.
3) Third degree buildup is a shiny tar-like substance found in airtight stoves, both free standing and inserts.

Whempys also cleans and inspects boiler, wood and coal stacks. They provide flood and fire insurance work, and clean fireplaces. Dave Reed, owner and founder of Whempys Corp. answers the following questions about cleaning chimneys and fireplaces.

Question: Why is it important to have a clean chimney?
Answer: An ignored chimney is something that can lead to many problems in the home. Creosote buildup is highly flammable and is the number one cause of chimney and stovepipe fires. If one of these fires breaks out, there may be expensive smoke damage to the home. It also is inconvenient, not to mention costly, to replace a severely damaged chimney.

Question: How often should I have my fireplace inspected and/or cleaned?
Answer: Fire marshals in most cities recommend that the chimney be inspected before each wood burning season. We often ran 18 point interior and exterior inspection suitable for any insurance agency. As far as cleaning is concerned, this depends on the type of wood burned and the way it is burned. The average cleaning is done after one cord of wood has been burned.

Question: What method does Whempys use for cleaning?
Answer: The cleaning is done by the use of wire brushes attached to flexible poles. We never use chemicals. We also use a modified shop vac to control the fall of the debris. This way the home is always soot-free.

Whempys knows that the safety of the family is top priority. With a thorough cleaning by the Whempys staff, the chance of fire damage to the home is reduced dramatically.

For a cleaning appointment, call Whempys at (614) 888-6670.

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