Nothing is more ideal on a cold, wintry day than relaxing in front of the comfort and warmth of a crackling fire in your fireplace.  However, if you cannot remember the last time that you had your fireplace and chimney cleaned and maintained by a professional chimney sweep, then it is probably time for a thorough cleaning. 
 
Depending on how often you use your fireplace during the winter, a thorough cleaning is recommended no less than once every year.  This will protect you and your family against the risk of a fire starting in the chimney or your indoor air quality from being ruined by smoke circulating throughout your home via your HVAC system.  When you use your fireplace frequently throughout the colder months of the year, soot accumulates in your chimney.  In addition to this, debris and leaves can enter the chimney if there is no rain cap or guard installed.  This also restricts the venting of smoke out of your home.
 
Most importantly, regular chimney cleaning prevents the build-up of creosote, a flammable substance that can ignite and burn very quickly as well as causing a blockage and restricting air flow.  A professional chimney sweep will ensure that this has been thoroughly removed from the chimney’s interior walls, thereby reducing the risk of a fire occurring. 
 
Finally, cleaning your chimney and fireplace can be quite messy, so it’s not a job you would want to attempt yourself. It’s best to give Dapper Ducts a call and we’ll be happy to get it ready for all those cozy evenings by the fire.

 One of the fastest growing segments of the HVAC industry is air duct cleaning services.  Unfortunately, this segment of the industry is not immune to fraudulent activities and scams.  So you need to learn how to identify when a company is not out to serve your best interests.  Consumer magazines warn people about different scams all the time so you should read up on this topic whenever you get the chance.  Here are 3 valuable tips.
 
Always get a written estimate – before you commit to any air duct cleaning company or contractor, get a service estimate.  Trustworthy companies will always provide you with one when requested.  The services should be listed along with the job details, number of ducts they will be cleaning, and when you can expect the service to be performed.  Many brand name stores we all recognize now offer air duct cleaning and end up charging much more than the "deal" they tell you about at the beginning.
 
Beware of prices that are too good to be true – you’ve heard the old cliché time and time again . . . “if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.”  Scams in the air duct cleaning industry are no exception to this rule.  Frequently you will see coupons advertising whole house air duct cleaning for $49.99, $69.99, or some price that is ridiculously too low.  But when they come out to your home, that price will be 10 to 20 times more than what was printed on the coupon.
 
Inquire about industry association memberships – reputable companies or contractors should be members of certain industry associations including the National Air Duct Cleaner’s Association, NADCA, ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors of America), the IAQA (Indoor Air Quality Association), and the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification.  Again, just because the truck or van has the name of a big box store you recognize does not mean they are certified.
 
Thankfully, our air duct and dryer vent cleaning services are NADCA approved and we’re an ethical business that won’t sell you a service you don’t need or rip you off. Customer service is paramount to our reputation and thus, we provide the best service in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC.