Sootmaster Chimney Sweep St. Simons GA
With over 30 years of experience, Sootmaster Chimney Sweep St. Simons is dedicated to giving you the best experience when dealing with your chimney and fireplace system.
“Nobody gets there faster than us or better prepared. Over 100 years of combined experience!”
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Who is Sootmaster Chimney Sweep St. Simons?
We are a full-service chimney sweep company. Thirty years ago, The cost of home heating was on the rise and so was chimney fires. St. Simons had a shortage of chimney sweeps and it was a struggle to receive quality work in a reasonable timeframe. This caused many to stop using their fireplaces, or attempt to do it themselves. We knew we had to do something. That is why we pride ourselves on having the quickest response time in the industry, back our repairs with industry-leading warranties, and do everything in our power to go above and beyond your expectations every time.
UNDER OUR GOAL
Our goal is to service chimneys and to make them safe. To provide inspections and cleanings, at a reasonable price to help prevent chimney fires, and keep carbon monoxide flowing up and out your chimney instead of flowing into your home. We solve problems such as water leaks that can cause your biggest investment to end up in ruins. We repair chimneys and fireplaces to keep them in a condition that is safe to burn. We humanely remove wildlife and fumigate for fungus and bacteria to ensure your home is clean and you are healthy.
Our Promise to St. Simons GA
Our Promise is to build a relationship with the people we serve because we want to have the privilege of being your chimney sweep. We’ll accomplish this by doing what it takes to exceed your expectations and by providing the best service offered by any chimney sweep company.
That’s Why at Sootmaster Chimney Sweep St. Simons We:
- Always call in advance with any hold-ups or inconveniences
- Keep the fireplace area as clean as we found it by tarping off the fireplace area and using vacuums made to collect falling debris.
- Have the quickest response times in St. Simons!
Sootmaster strives to be the resource for fire safety and fireplace enjoyment education and is always more than happy to answer questions and provide tips.
Caps, Covers, & Damper Repairs
Living in the south, mainly along the Gulf Coast, then you know there are lost of rain storms. Actually, we get more rain than anywhere else in the country, including Seattle. The ranking of the most amount of rainfall goes as follows: Mobile, Pensacola, and Seattle in 41st.
This region has such a big deal about rain when it comes to chimneys and fireplaces. As the Chimney Safety Institute of America explains, “water, not fire, causes most chimney damage.”
“Whether masonry or factory-built,” says the CSIA, “prolonged water exposure can result in cracks or gaps in chimneys where creosote can collect and increase the risk of fire or where noxious gases can escape into your home and expose your family to carbon monoxide.”
Fireplaces, Chimneys and Leaks
In basic terms the problem with fireplace and chimney leakage is that water combines with the creosote that remains from fires to form an acidic mixture. Over time that mixture can eat out the silica in the mortar joints.
Once the joints are no longer secure, moisture — remember all that Gulf Coast rain — can get into the house through the chimney. For example, if water comes in through the chimney and is released under the shingles it can lead to the need for a roof replacement.
Also, without proper sealing, heat from fires can travel into areas which should not be exposed to heat, dry out wood, and in some cases actually cause the wood to catch on fire.
In fact, according to a staff report by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are about 22,000 fires a year which are associated with fireplaces, chimneys and chimney connectors. Such fires can cause substantial damage and in some cases may lead to fatalities.
Also, without caps it does happen that birds and animals get into fireplaces. Sometimes nests are built and in some cases animals unable to get out die inside chimneys and fireplaces. Noises and odors can result from such problems.
Caps, Covers and Dampers
You can protect your household with caps, covers and dampers. Caps with spark arresters are devices that go over the flue. They keep out both moisture and animals, plus they help prevent sparks from leaving the chimney. Covers are at the top of the chimney, go around the flue, and protect against moisture. Dampers are inside the chimney itself. They can help create a proper draft to achieve the best fire, plus when closed they prevent animals from getting into the house.
Cap, Cover and Damper Services
We can install, repair and maintain caps, covers and dampers. We inspect such devices as part of our basic chimney sweep services. We have many devices in stock and can recommend the equipment which is right for your fireplace and chimney, whether it is masonry or metal, new or historic.
Spade
Appears similar to a flat shovel. It is associated with digging, mainly meant to pick up ashes, hot coals, and burning embers. Moving around the ashes and providing a cleaner burn, there will be a decrease in smoke production. Typically, use to clean ashes and coals once they are cooled by scooping them into the ash dump door.
Tongs
Similar to the ones for cooking, but these are much larger. These are large enough to grab logs, pieces of wood, and breaking up burnt wood to provide more oxygen. More oxygen creates more flames and less smoke.
Fireplace Broom
A tiny/small broom that is to sweep out ashes from the fireplace once a fire has been extinguished. This is important to have because all fires create ash and it fits in the fireplace to clean.
Bellows
Not one of the more commonly known tools, but meant to blow a controlled gust of oxygen into the fire to increase the flames. There is a valve on the end to direct the wave of air. It is to help start the fire by increasing the flame size and heat. Typically used to light the kindling.
Fireplace Poker
A long metal extended rod with a pointed end, similar to a Philips screwdriver. Can move wood in the fire.
Andiron
A rarer tool and known as a ‘log-dog’. It is a horizontal bar that is used to hold/support logs that are fed to the flames. It allows more air to pass through, producing a cleaner burn.
The Toolset You Don’t Play With
As a young kid and you’re over at your grandparents house playing in the den. Well, in the den, there is a fireplace. Right beside the fireplace was a set of tools that looked interesting and cool to play with. Below are descriptions of each tool in the set. Reminder, each set does not include all six pieces; some have less while others have seven or more.
