Chimney sweeps clean chimneys and inspect them for problems. They may also repair damaged flashing, an L-shaped piece of metal that prevents water leaks between the chimney and roof.
This can be a messy job, so chimney sweeps will set up drop cloths around the fireplace to protect your home. They will use a vacuum with dual HEPA filters to keep dust levels low.
Cost of Equipment
As a chimney sweep, you need to invest in equipment that will enable you to safely and effectively clean chimneys. This includes brushes, extension poles and vacuum cleaners. You should also have a toolbox that contains a variety of other supplies, such as ladders, safety equipment and tools for repairs.
Chimney sweeps should use tarps to protect your floor and furniture, and wear protective clothing such as boots and gloves when they are working inside a chimney. They should also use HEPA filters to capture soot and creosote as they work.
If your chimney has a lot of creosote, you might need a special cleaning service called a creosote log treatment. These logs chemically change oily creosote into a flaky consistency that will easily fall off of your chimney. They chimney sweep cost between $16 and $25 per log. You can also purchase chemical powders to remove creosote. However, these are not as effective as a chimney sweep.
Cost of Training
Having the right equipment and training are important, but so is having the right skills to start and maintain your own chimney sweep business. You will need to develop your Manager side and your Entrepreneur side, as well as learning the technical aspects of the job. It’s also important to have the proper licensing, as failing to do so can result in hefty fines or even shutting down your business.
During a cleaning, a sweep will use specialized brushes to remove creosote and soot from the fireplace chimney and flue walls. They may perform the cleaning on the ground or from the roof, and they will also inspect the fireplace and chimney to ensure that there are no blockages.
Chimney sweeps can also clean and repair flashing, which is an L-shaped piece of metal inserted where the chimney abuts the roof. If a chimney sweep sees damage to the flashing during an inspection or cleaning, they will charge an additional fee to repair it.
Cost of Insurance
A chimney sweep has to be insured because he or she is working on roofs and chimneys that are sometimes very high off the ground. They are also dealing with ash, soot, and potential animal debris, and they can be exposed to carbon monoxide from fireplaces that aren’t properly vented. If there is an accident, the chimney sweep’s insurance will cover medical bills and other costs.
Chimney sweeps should also have liability insurance in case they damage your property or accidentally injure someone. They should be able to provide proof of this coverage, which you can verify by asking for references or checking online reviews.
The average chimney sweep can clean your fireplace and chimney in about an hour. They will set up plastic and drop cloths to protect your home, and they will use a dual HEPA filter vacuum to minimize dust throughout the process. Chimney sweeps can also install a chimney cap, which will prevent water and debris from entering the chimney. This will also help prevent ice dams and leaks from winter storms.
Cost of Liability Insurance
Chimney sweeps must carry several types of insurance. At a minimum, they should have a million dollar general liability policy, commercial umbrella coverage and full workers’ compensation for employees. They also need commercial vehicle insurance to cover any trucks or cars used for business and inland marine to cover any equipment that is in transit from job site to job site.
A chimney needs to be swept regularly to prevent harmful deposits of soot, creosote and bits of wood from damaging the bricks, mortar and flue liner. Sweeping also detects minor problems such as cracked masonry, loose bricks and missing mortar that can be easily fixed before they become significant issues.
As with any business, chimney sweeps face a number of risks that can lead to expensive lawsuits. A good insurance broker can help them find affordable commercial liability insurance for their business. They will walk them through handpicked policies and explain the details of each.