Chimney Sweep for Gas Boiler?
I’ve been living in a brownstone I purchased two years ago. 4 years ago it was gut renovated with new HVAC everything and heat is from gas boiler. I’ve been getting calls from chimney sweeps and honestly didn’t even know I’d need such a service for this type of system. Do I? If so, how…
I’ve been living in a brownstone I purchased two years ago. 4 years ago it was gut renovated with new HVAC everything and heat is from gas boiler. I’ve been getting calls from chimney sweeps and honestly didn’t even know I’d need such a service for this type of system. Do I? If so, how often? What do they clean? Forgive my ignorance and I see many old posts asking about sweeps, but none specifically addressing these questions. THANKS
Beware of M&M Chimney. They’re pulling the telemarketing scam. I’ve gotten 10 calls in a week. Very high pressure and they won’t stop. A plumber told me we don’t need our stainless liner cleaned out. We have a gas burner. I explained this to the telemarketer – and they’re still calling!
I agree with most of the posts… When they call you it’s usually a scam. However, dirt accumulation in your chimney usually is not a result of you having gas or oil boiler. In most cases it’s because the chimney is old and going through a process of erosion where the loose bricks and cement particles break loose in the chimney and block the passageway.
I recommend that you at least get the chimney expected or clean to make certain that your chimney is not blocked.
You can call me at 718-953-2836 for more info.
Andre
A&A Chimney & Fireplace Co.
Honest & Reliable
If you’re getting unsolicited calls, it’s a pretty good bet they’re scams. Do they talk about the risk of CO poisoing to your family and say “we’re working on your neighbor’s house” and maybe drop a name, or “we’re calling to schedule the service you’ve had in the past” or similar BS? Gas boilers burn clean and probably need the chimney cleaned every century or two.
I had one of these scammers call and they got me for $45 to clean the chimney. Then they brought down the rusted cap from the roof that they tore off and wrote up a quote for a $600 (!) replacement with a turbine on the top. Fortunately, I didn’t fall for that & later talked to my neighbor and found out it was a lie when they dropped his name. I went to the tin supply place on 6th St in PS and got a cap for about 15 bucks that I put up myself.
Now (in a different house) when chimney cleaning scammers call I just hang up.
But even if you do need your chimney swept, make sure it’s by a service *you* call, not one that calls you. After (in a moment of weakness)we had a chimney service that had called us come by, we called another company that our plumber recommended. Big difference, both in price and lack of alarmist attitude. Luckily the first sweep gave me such bad vibes that I realized my mistake and didn’t let him do any work.
If the previous heating equipment was oil, than you definitely should have the chimney cleaned. Gas burns at a lower temp. than oil and can cause condensation and flaking of the chimney line. A cap on the chimney is needed and you can have them check that as well. Gas burns pretty clean and you shouldn’t have much build up on the chimney walls. It’s still a good idea once a year to have the chimney checked for debris or blockages. Most Companies will charge around $75 to clean and check the chimney. If they tell you something is wrong, request a camera (as birchwood mentioned) or second opinion.
Most likely,whenever a gut-rehab is done and a new gas-fired equipment is installed,the new appliance may not be putting out heavy carbon deposits needed for a chimney sweep.However if the boiler had been ‘carbonised’or sooted up it is a good idea to have the chimney checked.Problems with chimney sweeps occur when the homeowner is not around and artificial malais is conjured up to create bussiness.If you do request one,be home when they do the sweeping and if they claim you need a new liner,due to a defect;request a camera display in real time at their expense,not your’s.
Beware. It is a scam. I have a friend whose former brother-in-law was in this business and I know that it is a racket. They try to con you into buying flu parts and mason work. I don’t know why you’d need a chimney sweep for natural gas.