Professional Chimney Sweep

In October 2012, prior to using the chimney, we hired a chimney sweep to clean the chimney. From across the room that chimney sweep informed us that there is "no way" that chimney should have passed inspection, pointing out a large crack on the back of the fireplace that could only come from burning wood too hot at the rear of the fireplace. He discouraged use of the fireplace until the Fireplace Back Wall was repaired as such could result in the house burning down. Dale White was contacted immediately and asked to repair the damages as we would not have agreed to close on the house without a working fireplace and the bank would not have closed on a house which failed chimney inspection. He promptly replied and attached a copy of Professional Chimney Sweeps invoice which verified that the "fireplace is free of debris and did not need cleaned." The invoice included "comments concerning your chimney and his guarantee is noted at the bottom." Not only did Mr. White appropriately reply via US mail, he or an employee hand-delivered the response so that such was received in a timely manner. On December 31, 2012, we wrote Professional Chimney Sweep enclosing a copy of Mr. White's letter, Mr. McGaffick's own bill, as well as three color photographs which clearly pointed out the extensive damages which he denied seeing. We requested he "reply to this letter within ten business days indicating how Professional Chimney Sweeps proposes to ameliorate this failure on your part prior to our notifying the Better Business Bureau, Angie?s List, the Veterans Administration, and the local media." It has been almost a year and Mr. McGaffick has neither replied to our request or ameliorated his failure. We were forced to repair the fireplace wall at our own expense costing approximately $400. USAA, the bank which closed on our house, was reported regarding the inadequacy and obvious negligence. As a result, the company will no longer accept inspections or repairs provided by either White Signature Homes or Professional Chimney Sweep. Not only did Professional Chimney Sweep's negligence cost us $400 in repairs, but had we not had the foresight to have the chimney cleaned prior to use, we could have lost our house. This is absolutely inexcusable.