Chimney Sweep & Inspection in Tysons Corner VA

Winter weather came early this year, catching many folks in Tysons Corner VA, and Fairfax County by surprise. Weather's unpredictability is one reason national fire safety experts encourage homeowners with wood-burning or fossil fuel heating appliances to have a Professional Chimney Sweep perform an annual inspection and cleaning. It is the only way to know whether your fireplace or stove is not a fire or health hazard.

Centered near Tysons Corner, VA, Bethesda Chimney is Fairfax County's best choice for Professional Chimney Sweep & Inspection, Masonry Repairs, Indoor and Outdoor Fireplace Installations, and more for residential, commercial, and government buildings.

Why You Need A Chimney Sweep

Only a Chimney Sweep Professional® has the credentials certifying they have demonstrable expertise in mastering the knowledge and technical skills of the entire chimney system, vents, and attached heating appliances. Certified chimney sweeps must also undergo recurrent training every two years to retain their distinguished credential.

In addition to our Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certification, Bethesda Chimney is also NFI Gas certified. This is your assurance that we have the professional training, equipment, and supplies to safely and efficiently clean, repair, and install gas fireplaces, stoves, and inserts. Of course, we install outdoor gas grills and firepits too!

Chimney Cleaning In The Tysons Corner VA Area

This will likely be one of those years when customers will use their wood-burning fireplaces and stoves more frequently to beat the heat and higher energy costs. Wood is an excellent fuel to burn because it is a renewable energy source. It also gives your home a warm and cozy ambiance.

However, the combustion process naturally creates creosote and other harmful contaminants. Since creosote is flammable, chimney sweeping at least yearly minimizes fire risk and exposure to toxic carbon monoxide gas.

Our sweeps utilize specialized equipment to clean the chimney, vents thoroughly, and attached heating appliances, safely removing these dangerous deposits without damaging the masonry or components.

Chimney Inspection

Now that your chimney is nice and clean, it's time for the inspection. We are certified for all three NFPA inspection levels. However, we generally recommend a Level 2 inspection.

Level 1:

This is the standard visual inspection of all accessible areas of the chimney, flue, and attached heating appliances.

Level 2:

An NFPA Level 2 is the minimum inspection we recommend for Northeastern Virginia homeowners. In addition to an internal/external visual inspection, we use a specially equipped camera system that scans the interior surfaces in real time. Thus, allowing our technicians to pinpoint minor problems as they are developing that would ordinarily be missed in a standard level 1 review. It will save money in the long run from costlier chimney repairs while prolonging the lifespan of the chimney, flue liner, and other components.

Level 3:

A level 3 inspection means that the chimney technician needs access to an inaccessible section of the chimney to locate and repair a potentially dangerous structural issue, such as water damage, spalling brick, etc. It may require removing or demolishing sections of the chimney to gain access and make repairs.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Can Prevent a House Fire

Dryer fires are more common than you may realize. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are more than 15,600 house fires yearly. It is primarily from failing to clean the dryer vents properly. One Virginia city reported 59 dryer fires in one year, resulting in nearly $1M in property damage. More than cleaning the lint tray is needed. A Virginia fire captain recommends hiring a professional to clean the exhaust pipes to remove lint, a combustible material. Animals may also build nests in and around the exhaust vent, another fire hazard.