Lots of various mixed – Frequently Asked Questions

No, JCS Home Services is a maintenance company that specializes in the cleanings and inspections of:
• Air Duct Systems (Residential and Commercial)
• Dryer Vent Systems
• Chimney’s
• Gutters
• Pressure Washing (Residential only)

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 211, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year”.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) also recommends regular cleanings when soot buildup has reached 1/8” build up or more.
The best way to know when it’s time to have your chimney swept is to schedule an inspection annually.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 211, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year”.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) also recommends regular cleanings when soot buildup has reached 1/8” build up or more.
The best way to know when it’s time to have your chimney swept is to schedule an inspection annually.

Burning wood can leave creosote deposits that are typically responsible for fireplace odors. During the warmer months or on days with elevated humidity the smells are likely to increase. Preventions are annual cleanings and inspections. Some fireplaces still require further agents to combat smells such as commercial chimney deodorant, baking soda, or even kitty litter. You may also need to have a top-mounted damper installed to stop or slow air from moving around on the inside of the fireplace.

It is recommended that a dryer vent system in a residential home be cleaned at least once a year. In a commercial setting the dryer vent is recommended to be cleaned every quarter and more with excess use.

In most circumstances when a second cycle is needed to dry clothes completely, it is likely that the dryer vent system is not functioning properly. A dryer vent is recommended to be cleaned at least once a year. If the vent system is clogged this will restrict proper airflow from the dryer to the outside, thus increasing dry times.

Yes, a service call cost will still apply. The cost is 60% of your original estimate cost for the cleaning. We will always make every attempt while at your home to correctly clean your vent and get you back up and running at 100% on the first visit, but in some cases from any number of reasons like incorrect original construction, animals entering the vent, or lack of annual maintenance and more a proper cleaning cannot be done. At this point we will evaluate the situation and help you understand the best steps to move forward to get the system back up and running at 100%.

Drying your clothes may be costing you more than you realize. If your dryer vent system isn’t functioning properly, or if it is clogged with excess lint and other debris, you could be spending extra on utilities with every cycle. Dryer vent cleanings could save you as much as $19 to $26 per month.

Restricted or reduced airflow in the venting system can be both a cause and an effect of dryer vent problems. JCS Home Services takes before and after airflow measurements. The first airflow is to determine what your dryer and vent system is doing before we even start the cleaning, the second airflow is to establish that we have delivered a correct and complete cleaning of your system.

Home and/or building gutters need to be inspected and cleaned when needed at least two times a year. Once after the fall season and the other after the spring season. Both seasons in Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley deliver an enormous amount of air bourn debris, from trees, bushes, flowers, grass, and even construction matter and dirt. This all lands on the roofs and during the rains will push the debris into the gutters.

After a gutter cleaning JCS Home Services pours water into the furthest side of the gutter and watches as the water travels down the gutter to the down spout and the second person that is on every job site confirms that the water has made it to the ground.

No, JCS Home Services cleans the gutters from the roof, down the downspout to the ground only. All underground systems are to be cleaned by a roto-rooter style system by other service providers.

No, a roof should not be washed using high pressure. When wanting your roof cleaned, hire a professional who specializes in “Specific – Roof Washing”. A standard pressure washing can do damage to a roof.

We get all sorts of customers who request us to pressure wash siding on homes, driveway’s, sidewalks, patio’s, decks, brick, block, stone, patio sets like chairs and tables and more.

There are things that should not be pressure washed from the start as it can do damage to the item, stuff like rotted items and certain kinds of composite surfaces.

Also note when a pressure washing is being done, the standard process can remove paint and stains from surfaces. If the removal or paint and stains is not the intended purpose it is a good idea not to clean that area.

Any service that we provide we encourage that someone over the age of 18 years old be home while we perform a service. If any questions present themselves this will allow the project to move forward free of any delays.

Yes, we are all animal friendly people here at JCS Home Services. That being said it will keep your pet and our team safe from harm if you put them in a area that we will not be working.

When working on ladders for your safety and ours please do not come in and out as we are working. If you would like to watch come outside when we are setting up and stay outside until we are completed. ” No person or animal should be within a 10 foot radius of our work area at all times”.

A gutter cleaning address debris “inside” a gutter. Debris like leaves, sticks, helicopters, surface dirt, and grime.

We like to go beyond just the standard service when possible. We will help if we can, it is not part of a service or a factored cost. If while on site you request this be done we will see if this is something we are able to help with on site.