SHERWOOD, Ark. – A chimney sweep company said they had been employed since August, but this week people are motivated by the cold weather. “Phones are ringing,” said Calvin Ralls, owner of A1 Chimney Pros. “We get emails, we have to call people back … so it’s very, very busy.”

As the cold front moves through central Arkansas, hands are on deck for A1 Chimney Pro, a Mayflower-based chimney sweeping company.

“It’s hetic now,” said Ralls. “We have four trucks driving full time with two people on each truck.”

On Tuesday, crews are helping several Arcansans across the state prepare their chimneys before using them.

A typical call includes an annual safety inspection that is required by law.
“It’s like changing the oil in your car, you know,” said Ralls. “If your car doesn’t break down badly, you can just drive it by the side of the road, but if your fireplace breaks in the middle of you, you can use it or a log fire that can spread to the rest of your house. So this is a very serious matter. “

A homeowner we spoke to said they never used their chimney and moved in in 2014.

Now they are proactive instead of reactive, and Ralls encourages others to do the same.
Here are some other tips for anyone using your chimney:

1. Watch out for the fire
2. Be careful of the ashes that you move around and put in a paper bag or plastic as it could cause a fire. Try a metal bucket instead.
3. Preheat the chimney before lighting the fire to prevent smoke from entering your home.
4. Keep up the maintenance of your chimney

The company expects to be just as busy on Wednesday. You want to remind people to take this seriously because you are starting a fire in your home.
“Our job is very serious and serious if you don’t respect it,” said Ralls.

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