Best Chimney Sweep cleans chimneys, stove flues, fireplaces, dryer vents and more for homeowners, property managers, homeowners associations, and real estate professionals throughout the North Bay. The company also services damaged systems and provides free initial consultations for property managers and homeowners associations to accurately determine service frequency.
Owner Andy Gatley established Best Chimney Sweep more than two decades ago. He says his company’s primary concern is keeping all the outlets in a home safe and efficient. “When left untreated, chimney and dryer vent debris can build up and create possible fire hazards. I work diligently to eliminate the chance of that ever happening.”
Best Chimney Sweep tailors its services to match the unique details associated with managing properties, handling everything from resident notifications to electronic invoicing. The company also provides free initial consultations for each property type to accurately determine service frequency.
“I abide by a simple motto: ‘If you’re going to do something, do it right.’ That’s how I approach both my work and my relationships with customers. I do the best possible work every time, with no exceptions. If a client isn’t happy with something, I’ll make it right.”
Use common sense with fireplaces and wood burning stoves to avoid hazardous situations.
Wood burning fireplaces and stoves are common in Bay Area homes because they can add warmth and a comfortable atmosphere, but they’re also potential sources of house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. To ensure your fireplace is operating as safely as possible, consider the following tips:
Have your chimney checked annually.
Every chimney in your home should be inspected once a year, especially if you use your fireplace frequently. Hire a certified chimney cleaning company to perform the check—it’ll greatly reduce the risk of problems by removing creosote buildup and chimney obstructions.
Burn the right types of wood.
Avoid burning pine or other types of wood that have high sap content, as well as wood that isn’t completely dry. Most types of wood should be seasoned (split and dried in a covered location that doesn’t directly sit on soil) to ensure they’re completely dry, as damp wood can spark and create thick smoke and ash that can collect in chimneys.
Build fires correctly.
Set up firewood or specialty fire logs on a supporting grate toward the back of your fireplace or wood stove. This will stop sparks from escaping the fireplace and ensure the smoke travels straight up the flue into the chimney. Start fires by igniting kindling or using a commercial firelighter. Don’t use flammable liquids (gasoline, lighter fluid) to start indoor fires.
Clear the hearth area.
Flammable materials and decorations that are placed too close to a fireplace can easily ignite, and small fires can spread to flooring, walls and ceilings and cause major damage. Likewise, furniture that’s too close to a fireplace can overheat and catch fire. For this reason, keep furniture at least three feet away from fireplaces and wood burning stoves.
Use a fireplace screen.
Install a metal mesh or fire screen in front of the fireplace. These implements will catch flying sparks that could start a house fire. Keep small children and pets away from the fireplace or wood stove. You may need to install baby gates or barriers around fireplaces to keep children and animals from getting too close.
Never leave fires unattended.
Make sure you extinguish any type of fire before you go to sleep or leave your house. Even small embers can pose a threat if left unattended.
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Place these detectors in common living areas and near bedrooms. Check the batteries twice a year and test the alarms monthly to ensure they’re working correctly.
Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for chimney cleaning companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Best Chimney Sweep, the key to achieving and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction is working quickly, efficiently, neatly and with the utmost respect for every home. “My customers trust me to work in their homes, so I’m very respectful of their time and personal belongings,” says owner Andrew Gatley. “It’s important for me to take my time, do the job right and ensure each customer is happy with the quality of my work.”
Best Chimney Sweep has been cleaning chimneys, stove flues, fireplaces and dryer vents for homeowners, property managers, homeowners’ associations, and real estate professionals throughout the North Bay since 1997. The company also services damaged systems and provides video and imaging support to help customers with insurance claims, maintenance planning and deposit adjustments.
Unlike less experienced chimney cleaning companies that try to up-sell their customers or offer low teaser rates and then add extra services to increase their profits, Best Chimney Sweep takes an honest approach to its work that ensures its customers’ needs are addressed before anything else. “My customers really appreciate how upfront I am with them,” says Mr. Gatley. “If I see a repair that can wait until later, I’ll be honest and give a realistic timeline that ultimately saves them money. The ‘bait and switch’ tactic is unfair, and I’d never do that to my clientele.”
Another distinguishing attribute of Best Chimney Sweep is its implementation of cutting-edge technology throughout every aspect of its operations, including the use of state-of-the-art cameras that show customers exactly what’s happening inside their chimneys. “Most people don’t want to climb onto their roofs to investigate a chimney problem, so my camera system is really beneficial for finding cracks, water, debris and other issues that can be dangerous if left unattended,” explains Mr. Gatley. “I also use a flex camera that allows me to inspect dryer vents for potential hazards.”
To further differentiate Best Chimney Sweep from its competition, Mr. Gatley is currently developing a clean burning fireplace that doesn’t need to be vented and is specifically designed for condos and apartments that don’t have fireplaces. “I recently finished the initial prototype in cooperation with an excellent metal sculptor from the Bay Area,” he explains. “The prototype is being modified and enhanced right now, and it should be ready for consumer use very soon.”
