Chimney Flashing is something that comes up time again when you have a fireplace. Chimneys are, by far, the most used and often viewed part of your house. They allow your home’s heat to go out into the cold, outside air. You might think it doesn’t matter what kind of chimney you have as long as it works. Unfortunately, chimneys and smoke stacks can be very expensive to replace if they are not maintained.
Clogged Chimney Flue
When a chimney or flue becomes clogged, you may have a good contractor working on your chimney who will give you a free quote of the cost for chimney flashing repair. The first question you should ask is how often the chimney will need to be cleaned or updated. This will help you determine the cost for chimney flashing installation versus regular cleaning. If your chimney flue is only ever cleaned every other year, you need to know the estimated cost for chimney flashing tenaflying. Otherwise, you might get the runaround from your contractor if you need the chimney flashing repair as soon as possible.
Chimney Flashing Repair
Once you find the best contractors in your area, you will need to do some research to find the right contractor for your needs. You can get a list of the current local contractors at the county clerk office. Some counties have an online directory that includes a list of all the local contractors in your area. If you have an address, it can even be helpful to get a phone number. You can also research different contractors on the Internet. Searching for “chimney repairs”, “chimney flashing repair” or “chimney flue contractors” will bring you many results.
Google Search
After you have researched both the internet and your own local resources, it is time to check out the contractors themselves. Have they been licensed by the state? Are their credentials official? Are they bonded and insured? Check the business licenses of the contractors to make sure that the chimney flue contractors that you are considering are allowed to operate a business in your town.
Chimney Flashing Contractor
When it comes to finding chimney flashing contractors, you need to think like a customer. Do you know what the greatest risks are? Do you know what you can expect from these contractors? This can help you decide whether or not you should use them. A general contractor can provide much better service than a roofing contractor, but they may not have the best materials or flashings to offer to ensure your safety.
There are three codes for chimney flue linings in the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the most stringent regulations when it comes to manufacturing and selling chimney linings. The National Fire Protection Association, orNFPA, has even stricter standards.
When looking for a licensed contractor, contact the local board of builders in the town where you live. They should be able to provide you with a list of licensed contractors. If they cannot provide you with that information, or if you find that they are not licensed in your state, call the NFA to determine whether or not they are in fact licensed. You should also contact your state board of contractors. They will be able to provide you with a list of licensed contractors.
When looking at the contractor’s website, make sure you read everything. If they seem vague and do not provide you with plenty of information, contact them with a question. A general contractor would probably not have a lot of experience with installation of flues and their terminology might sound a bit technical. But it is very important that you fully understand all of the terms being used. That is why it is so important to be as thorough as possible when doing a search online for chimney flashing repair contractors.