Consumer Agency, Local Merchant Warn About Chimney Cleaning Scams

By John Voket

 Newtown chimney sweep and volunteer fire fighter Bill Hanson said the customer was not the least bit suspicious when he got a call from someone saying it was “your chimney sweep,” calling to set up an appointment for his annual prewinter maintenance.

But after a few moments Mr Hanson said his customer realized something was fishy.

“He knew as soon as the caller asked for a cross street for his home that it wasn’t my company calling, because I’d been there several times before,” said Mr Hanson who operates Firesafe Chimney Service. “This New York-based company called ‘Your Chimney Sweep’ was using a phone bank to line up appointments and sending subcontractors over on the ferry to do the work.”

While this practice is not illegal, Mr Hanson has seen the aftermath of some of these fly-by-night budget chimney sweeps.

“I can’t tell you how much damage I’ve had to correct when customers try to save a few bucks by hiring cut-rate contractors,” he told The Newtown Bee recently.

Each year, Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection responds to complaints about scams involving chimney sweeping and repair. To avoid being “cleaned out” by chimney scam artists, homeowners should take a few hot tips from the agency’s Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr.

“For less than $200, a professional chimney sweep should thoroughly clean your fireplace and chimney and check for defects,” Mr Farrell said. “This very simple home maintenance chore can save you money and even prevent damage to your home. But never hire a chimney sweep who shows up at your door uninvited. Fly-by-night chimney scams are quite common and, unfortunately, Connecticut homeowners continue to be targeted each year.”

Mr Farrell also warns consumers against offers of a very low price on chimney cleaning.

“If someone offers you a super low price or calls you out of the blue, they may be trying to get their foot in the door, because they’re really after repair work,” the commissioner said.

Many chimney sweeps lower video cameras and lights into chimneys to get a close look at walls and liner surfaces, and to record the chimney’s condition for the homeowner; this service may not be free. Be sure you agree to only the services that you want and need.

“Scammers have been known to provide photos they claim are from inside or outside your chimney, to convince you that your chimney needs repair,” Mr Farrell said. “Be sure that something in the photo or in the background identifies it as your home.”

Here in Newtown, Mr Hanson has seen this scam actually put homeowners in harm’s way.

“Their big one is telling you they need to install a liner in your oil flue. They use scare tactics like telling you your family is at risk of dying from carbon monoxide poisoning,” he said. “They get the money and take off without finishing the job, which can eventually put you in danger if there are cracks or leaks that haven’t been repaired.”

The new liner can also cause the chimney to leak, which means the homeowner will have to pay again to remove it — sometimes costing more than the original unwarranted installation.

Some scam artists show chimney debris as an indicator of something that i’s broken, according to Mr Farrell. If your chimney sweep claims that this debris proves your liner needs repair or replacement, get a second opinion to be sure.

“Beware of attempts to frighten you or rush you into a quick decision,” the commissioner said. “If you feel that a salesperson or sweeper is purposely trying to alarm you, get another opinion as soon as possible.”

The Department of Consumer Protection recommends that a chimney sweep be directed to:

*check the firebox for damaged brick and missing or crumbling mortar;

*open the damper completely to be sure it moves freely and fits snugly against the smoke shelf;

*use a flashlight to check the damper for cracks, pitting, r rusted-out sections (broken or corroded dampers should be replaced by a professional);

*look for any debris that may restrict air flow and remove it;

*check for broken or damaged bricks or flue liners (vertical cracking in the liner is a sure sign of a previous flue fire and is a serious problem that will need repair); and

*check and remove creosote deposits greater than 1/8-inch thick.

While chimney sweeping is not considered home improvement, repairs and improvements such as installation or repair of a chimney cap, liner replacement or repair, and even mortar replacement are covered under the Home Improvement Law and persons doing such work must be registered as home improvement contractors.

“Ask to see the home improvement registration certificate from anyone who is selling or conducting repairs to your chimney,” Mr Farrell said. “Hiring an unregistered home improvement contractor is just asking for trouble.”

As with any other home improvement project, he advises, you and the contractor should sign and date a contract that spells out the work to be done, the materials to be used, the cost, and the beginning and end date for the project. The contract should also provide a clause giving you three days to cancel the contract.

Before any work begins, you should also contact your local building official and ask if the project requires a building permit and if so, secure the permit prior to the work being done.