The Irish Sweep is still accepting calls to answer questions and schedule any service needs. However, no on-site visits are currently being conducted pursuant to the government's stay in place order. Please feel free to contact us at 510.521.4088 to get answers to your questions or schedule a future appointment.

Summer Savings on Chimney and Dryer Vent Cleaning

Summer might not be the season most people associate with chimney or dryer maintenance, but it’s actually one of the best times to get it done. The weather is stable, schedules are usually easier to manage, and you’re not racing the clock before a cold snap or holiday season. Even better? From June 2nd through September 30th, our seasonal rates make it more affordable to schedule professional chimney and dryer vent cleaning.

Routine maintenance may not feel urgent in the warmer months, but that’s exactly why this is the smartest time to book. By getting ahead of the autumn rush, you’ll avoid long wait times and higher winter pricing, plus you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your home is safe heading into the cooler months.

Why Dryer Vent Cleaning Is Essential

Dryer vent cleaning plays a crucial role in keeping your home safe, as well as efficient. Lint, dust, and debris naturally build up in your dryer’s vent system over time. That buildup doesn’t just hurt your electric bill. It also poses a significant fire risk. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nearly 3,000 home fires are caused by clothes dryers every year, and failure to clean the vents is a leading factor.

When vents are clogged, airflow becomes restricted. Your dryer runs longer to do the same job, which overheats the system and wears out components. You might notice clothes are still damp after a full cycle, or a musty smell coming from the laundry room. These are early warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored. Professional dryer vent cleaning removes the hidden buildup that you can’t reach with household tools. It restores proper airflow and greatly reduces the chance of a dangerous residential fire.

Chimneys Need Summer Attention Too

While most people think of chimneys only when the weather turns frosty, summer is actually the ideal time to inspect and clean them. Ash, creosote, and soot left over from the winter season continue to sit in the flue long after the last fire has gone out. That leftover debris can corrode the interior lining, block ventilation, and create strong odors during hot spells.

Booking a chimney cleaning during summer ensures that all the winter buildup is removed well before you want to light the fireplace again. It also gives technicians time to spot and fix any small issues, like a damaged flue or missing chimney cap, before they become costly repairs. Summer inspections are easier to schedule, too, because we’re not fitting appointments between emergency calls and peak-season repairs.

The Cost of Waiting Until Autumn

During our summer special—June 2nd through September 30th—you can schedule these essential services at a reduced price. Once the calendar flips to October, though, our phones start ringing nonstop. Fall is when everyone suddenly remembers they need their chimney cleaned or their dryer vent checked before winter. At that point, appointments are limited, prices return to cold-weather rates, and emergencies take priority.

By planning ahead and booking during summer, you protect your home at our lowest rates. You also get priority access to flexible appointment times, and the breathing room to address any unexpected issues.

Signs It’s Time for Dryer Vent Cleaning

Some homeowners wait until something goes wrong before booking dryer vent cleaning. That’s a risky gamble. Knowing the early warning signs helps you catch problems before they escalate:

  • Clothes are taking longer to dry than they used to
  • The dryer feels unusually hot after a cycle
  • There’s a musty or burning smell in the laundry area
  • You notice excess lint behind the dryer or around the exterior vent
  • The flap on your outside vent doesn’t open fully when the dryer is running

Any of these symptoms could mean lint and debris are choking your vent system. And if it’s been more than a year since your last professional cleaning, it’s definitely a good idea to schedule service during the summer window.

Why DIY Isn’t Enough

It’s tempting to grab a vacuum or one of those brush kits from the hardware store and try to handle dryer vent cleaning yourself. But the truth is, most DIY solutions don’t get deep enough. The tools may not reach the full length of your vent, and they don’t provide the airflow testing or safety inspection that professionals include.

We’ve been called in more times than we can count to fix DIY attempts that left vents partially blocked, or worse, compacted the lint further. Professional dryer vent cleaning includes a full-system evaluation. We remove lint, debris, and anything else that may be lurking inside your vent system, like animal nests. And we make sure everything is reconnected properly before we leave.

Our equipment is commercial-grade, our team is experienced, and we follow every safety and efficiency standard so you can trust that the job is done right the first time.

Summer Is Maintenance Season for a Reason

There’s a reason so many service providers encourage customers to book home maintenance during summer. The weather is cooperative. Scheduling is easier. And your home isn’t under seasonal stress. By taking care of chimney and dryer vent cleaning now, you’re avoiding the holiday chaos that comes later.

The summer special is a thank-you to our database customers and an incentive for new ones to see what professional care looks like. It’s a win-win. You save money, and avoid the seasonal crunch. Even if your fireplace has gone unused since March, and your dryer seems to be working fine, maintenance is most effective when it’s proactive.

Wrap Up the Summer Right

When the summer special ends on September 30th, so do the savings. We encourage our longtime customers—and those we haven’t met yet—to take advantage of this maintenance window. It’s one of the few times a year when safety, savings, and convenience all align.

Don’t wait for cold weather to discover your chimney is blocked or your dryer isn’t venting properly. Contact us today to schedule your chimney and dryer vent cleaning before the rush begins. Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.

Don’t lose your family heirlooms to fire!!!

The US Fire Administration reported 15,600 structural fires, 15 deaths and 400 injuries because of lint build up in the venting system of gas and electrical residential dryers.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that a Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician perform a duct inspection and cleaning on an annual

basis which in the long run saves money because of increased efficiency of the dryer and decrease of wear on your appliance.

SIX WARNING SIGNS THAT YOUR DRYER EXHAUST VENTS NEED TO BE CLEANED

1.  Longer than normal drying time

2.  Reduced performance

3. You see lint coming out of the dryer vent opening

4.  Burning smell when your dryer is running

5.  Dryer feels hot on the outside

6.  You haven’t had your dryer vent cleaned in over 1 year.

When Is The Best Time Of Year To Do Chimney Cleaning Service?

Wood burning fireplaces do require inspections, maintenance and chimney cleaning service. As winter approaches, you may be looking forward to cozy days around the fire. If you are lucky enough to have a wood burning fireplace, it can be easy to neglect through most of the year up until time to set up that first winter fire.

Now you may be wondering, why should I have my chimney cleaned and when?

Advantages of Regular Chimney Cleaning Service

As wood burns in your fireplace it releases smoke and ash, and over time, creosote can build up. If you have not heard of creosote, it is a flammable substance that builds up like a glaze, coating the interior of your chimney. Creosote needs to be removed regularly so it doesn’t build up and prevent the flow of smoke leaving the chimney. Also, because creosote is flammable, it needs to be removed to prevent chimney fires.

You should have your chimney inspected at least yearly and cleaned as needed. If you recently purchased a home, have the chimney inspected before using the fireplace. Regular maintenance and cleaning help to prevent larger problems and more expensive repairs. Having your chimney inspected, cleaned, and maintained each year will help keep your home and family safe.

When professionals clean your chimney, they remove soot and dangerous creosote built up on the interior. They will also check for any blockages, which could cause smoke to build up in your home if not removed. A professional will make sure everything is in working order for safe and effective operation.

Advantages of Spring or Early Summer Chimney Cleaning Service

Some say that spring is the best time to have your chimney inspected and cleaned. This is because winter weather might have damaged the masonry, which you would want to catch and repair right away during warm summer months. Additionally, a spring cleaning will get you ready for fall and winter fires, well ahead of the peak cleaning season, so you can avoid waitlists and have it done quickly.

Advantages of Late Summer or Fall Cleaning for your Chimney

Others would argue that fall is the better time to have your chimney cleaned. This is because when your fireplace has not been used in a while, such as during the spring and summer months, pests can enter and set up their homes. Rodents and birds can build nests that clog the chimney. This could be dangerous as smoke is then unable to flow through, and additional creosote could build up, increasing flammability.

Contracting chimney cleaning service company that will provide regular inspections and cleaning is your easiest option. They will remind you when it is time for your inspections. Given the advantage of both spring and fall cleanings, you may opt to have them both in order to maintain your fireplace if you use it often.

During inspections, the professionals will look for any problems, clean as needed, and perform or recommend necessary maintenance on your chimney. This can all help to prevent more serious operational issues and maintain a healthy, efficient function of your fireplace all year round.

CHIMNEY REPAIRS: 7 SIGNS TO LOOK FOR

Chimneys keep you warm and can provide a home with a beautiful focal point. However, they can hold hidden dangers and it’s important to regularly check for these signs. Failure to do so can lead to very expensive, dangerous, and preventable conditions.

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Winter Tips for Using your Fireplace and Chimney

As the weather has turned colder, it’s time to follow some important winter tips for your chimney.  These practices will help protect you, your chimney, and home.

CHIMNEY INSPECTION:

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THE IMPACT OF A DIRTY DRYER VENT

Many people who buy washers and dryers notice the rising inefficiency of their appliances over time. The wash cycle that used to take 30 minutes is now taking almost 1 hour. The dryer can no longer dry the same amount of clothes within the 30 minutes you allotted. While some of this is related to the age of the unit, water supplies, etc, this can often be attributed to dirty dryer vents. Doing regular dryer vent cleaning ensures the following:

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