Sootmaster Chimney Sweep Mobile
Our Professional Standards
Here at Sootmaster Chimney Sweeps of Mobile, Alabama, your satisfaction is our priority. We have spent the last 30 years perfecting our craft and earning a great reputation with those we have had the pleasure of meeting. At Sootmaster, we hold our technicians to the highest standard of training and certification, and we use the best equipment. It is for these reasons we offer 10-year warranties on most of our services. To find out which services or to schedule a warranty appointment, call us at 251-216-4541. Chimney sweeping is dirty and tough, but our chimney sweeping professionals make it look easy. Even better, they make sure your home stays spotless! To make sure you know exactly what we do, our team gives a detailed before and after report for each job. In this report, we provide a detailed list of what issues are troubling the chimney and the best solution for you. Because we are a local team, we have a better response time than any of our competitors. In most cases, we can get out to you within the week.
Common Chimney Services and Repairs
Humane Animal Removal
Wild animals, such as birds, raccoons, bats, and even squirrels often take shelter in a chimney. Animals cause many issues, such as blockage, higher risk of a chimney fire, and bad smells due to the death of that animal. Our technicians are professionally trained in removing animals quickly, safely, and humanely. Humanely is the keyword here. At Sootmaster, we are all animal lovers and have zero tolerance for cruelty to animals
Chimney Swift Removal
Chimney swifts are a migratory bird that often starts its nesting in May. Chimney swifts cling to vertical surfaces, and a chimney provides excellent protection from the elements and is a perfect environment for them to nest. These birds are federally protected, and for that reason, we must handle each removal on a case-by-case basis. The best way to keep chimney swifts and other animals out is to install a stainless-steel chimney cap, chase cover, or a lock-top damper. This will protect your chimney from animals, as well as rain and other debris. Give us a call to find out what your best solution is, or read about chimney swifts in this CSIA article (Chimney Sweeping Institute of America)!
Water Leak Repair
In our industry, water leaks are the most common issue a chimney has. If a water leak goes unnoticed, it can cause massive damage over time and put the whole home at risk. A major chimney water leak often causes drafting and smoke issues in a masonry fireplace. These issues appear as the bricks saturate with water. From there, it starts to cool down the air inside the chimney flue as it rises. As the air higher in the chimney cools, it pushes the warmer air back down and pushes smoke out of the firebox. An annual chimney sweep and inspection can help you catch the leak before it becomes an issue. By having the chimney inspected regularly, you allow us to fix the problem before it can start. We offer professional mortar tuckpointing, FlashSeal protection, and more. As mentioned earlier, a chimney cap or lock top damper is a great way to keep water out, as well as various animals. Because your satisfaction is our top priority, we do not require payment on a water leak repair immediately. We encourage you to wait until the next large storm before making a payment, or even to the storm after that. We take this extra step to make sure that you see the quality of our work, and you are satisfied with the job.
Masonry Repairs
Sootmaster Chimney Repair of Mobile offers several types of masonry repair services. We do chimney flue repair, flue relining, mortar tuckpointing, and more. We only use flue liners conforming to the standards set by ASTM C-315 Vitrified clay flue liners
Fireplace repairs
Our fireplace repairs and chimney sweeps are done by the most qualified and knowledgable people for the job. Sootmaster offers the best firebox repair, refractory panel repair and replacement, and much more. We only use firebricks that follow ASTM C-27 or ASTM C-1261 standards, and medium-duty refractory mortar following ASTM C-199 standards. We make sure to check that your fireplace is up to code and alert you of any errors because your safety is our priority.
Fireplace Installations
Sootmaster Chimney Sweeps of Mobile offers professional fireplace installation. We install fireplace inserts, wood-burning and gas stoves, ash dump doors, cleanout doors, and many other things. We can also build you a brand new chimney, and we provide the best service and best quality. We also offer professional fireplace inspection, which is recommended at least once per year. We do a 21-point inspection to ensure that your chimney is safe for use and confirm that it meets the minimum requirements to be used.
Why Choose Us?
As we have mentioned before, you are the number one priority here at Sootmaster of Mobile. We value your experience with us more than anything, which is why we have the most respectful and knowledgable team. Because we do not want to be the cause of any problems for you, we do our best to give you fair pricing for the quality we provide. We promise to provide the best quality service and customer interaction because we have the best people for it. Give us a call at 251-216-4541 and we would love to speak to you more and see what we can do for you!
Major Signs of Water Damage
No matter where they are, coastal cities have one thing in common: Water damage. We mentioned before how water can cause a drafting problem, but these are a few signs that your chimney may have some serious issues,
- Spalling: Cracking or flaking pieces of brick. Spalling happens when a brick absorbs too much water, then later freezes. The rapid expansion of the water causes cracks in the brick, and often makes the surface flake and crumble. These weakened bricks no longer provide the support they once did and now they are a risk.
- Liner Deterioration and Oxidization: Rusting or damage to the tile liner. Cracks in the flue liner present a very high risk of letting heat and water escape. Water running down the flue can cause the liner or firebox to rust and ultimately break down. Flue cracks also leave a gap for a possible chimney fire to branch through and cause damage. If you notice any sign of rust, call us immediately to set up an inspection.
- Mold: exactly what it sounds like. Some types of mold, such as black mold can cause major health problems and even death if left untreated or ignored. Most milder mold symptoms are coughing, sneezing, bad odor, and allergic reactions.
If you notice any of these signs in your home, please call us immediately at 251-216-4541
Mobile is full of too many great attractions to name. While we are working on your chimney, we recommend you visit one of these awesome places!
Battleship USS ALABAMA Memorial Park
“The State of Alabama Legislature outlined the mission of the USS ALABAMA Battleship Commission when it created that body in 1963. The Commission shall “establish, operate and maintain a state memorial park to honor the Alabamians who participated so valiantly in all armed conflicts of the United States…and, as a permanent public memorial, to educate the public on the contributions and sacrifices of the veterans of all branches of the United States Armed Services in all conflicts.” –www.ussalabama.com
Hank Aaron Stadium
Hank Aaron Stadium is a baseball park in Mobile, Alabama. From 1997 to 2019, it hosted the Mobile Bay Bears, a minor-league professional team in the Southern League. The stadium opened in 1997 and has a capacity of 6,000. The ballpark was named after Major League Baseball’s home run king (1974–2007) and Mobile native Hank Aaron. It also features a commemorative plaque outside the stadium to honor each Mobilian enshrined at the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Hank Aaron Stadium is unique in that the luxury suites are at the field level. Thus, infield seating for the general public is elevated from the field by approximately 20 feet. –https://en.wikipedia.org
Mobile Carnival Museum
Immerse yourself in the rich history and traditions of carnival. See firsthand the intricate designs and artistry of majestic crowns, scepters and robes of Mardi Gras monarchs. Discover the art of costume design and float construction. View videos of parades and balls. Witness the pomp and pageantry of past coronations. Browse a pictorial gallery historical photographs of dating back to 1886. Experience a behind the mask view of the street party by climbing aboard a rocking float. Become a costumed youth rider in the Little Mystics Den. –www.mobilecarnivalmuseum.com
GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico
“The Gulf of Mexico is a national treasure, serving as the international doorway to the Americas, from its discovery in the 1500s to the present day. Until now, no maritime museum has been established to celebrate the historical, economic, and cultural significance of “America’s Sea” and its coastal region. GulfQuest is the first museum dedicated to the Gulf Coast’s rich maritime traditions – and one of the only interactive maritime museums in the country.”
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Happy with our work? Leave a review!
As you know, the quality of our work is highly valued at Sootmaster. If you are satisfied with your work, please consider leaving us a review or a recommendation on one of the social media platforms listed above
Tips for Hurricane Preparedness
Hurricanes are no joke along the American coastline. 2020 has been predicted to hold 13-19 named storms, with 6-10 becoming full-fledged hurricanes. Here are some things we recommend you do to help keep your family and home safe this season
- Shut the fireplace damper. If you don’t have one already, give us a call to set up an installation. When a chimney chase is left uncovered, that is a prime opportunity for water or debris to make it’s way down the flue and cause massive potential damage,
- Invest in a chimney cap or other covering. Keeping the flue covered is vital during any storm, but especially so during a hurricane.
- Conduct a basic safety inspection. Scheduling an inspection early on can alert you to potentially catastrophic weaknesses in your chimney, which can save you from major headaches in the long run
Here at Sootmaster, we take hurricanes very seriously. If you have any concerns, give us a call or fill out the contact form and we will reach out to you as soon as possible!
Some of Our Work!
