Schedule a Professional Chimney Sweep to Protect Your Family & Home in McLean

When wood is burned in a fireplace, there are a host of byproducts of the burning process: water vapor, gases, smoke, tar, unburned wood particles, various minerals and more. These substances don’t just “go up in smoke” – they are left behind on the inside of the fireplace and chimney in the form of creosote buildup. This hard, black deposit is flammable and corrosive, and can lead to blockages and even house fires if not removed. Other factors, such as water leaks, bird nests and animals, can also compromise your chimney and threaten the safety of your family and the integrity of your home in McLean.

Such hazards make it imperative to schedule a professional chimney sweep on a routine basis. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends a professional cleaning by a certified chimney sweep once a year for a chimney that sees regular use. Potomac Services is proud to offer certified chimney cleaning solutions to meet your needs and ensure your safety.

Our Chimney Cleaning Methods

Before lighting the first fire of the season, contact Potomac Services for a comprehensive chimney inspection. Our technicians are highly trained and certified annually by the CSIA, and will use high-definition video equipment to evaluate the condition of your chimney and the need for cleaning and/or repair. If your chimney needs to be swept, we will use one or more of the following methods:

• Standard sweeping. This basic sweep uses brushes to remove creosote buildup on the chimney liner.
• Mechanical cleaning. Hard creosote deposits may need to be removed by a combination of wire brushes, chains or plastic cables rotated at high speed.
• Chemical cleaning. Special chemicals may be needed to remove heavy, glazed creosote deposits. This method may be used in conjunction with mechanical cleaning.