Did you know that creosote buildup is a leading factor in starting house fires? House fires lead to property damages worth $125 million.
Fuzzy jackets, hot chocolate, and a warm fireplace – the perfect winter nights. Yes, the same fireplace you keep saying you’d clean, but you don’t.
With summer gone and fall rolling in, winter will be here within the blink of an eye. If you want to enjoy your warm fireplace during cold winter nights, now is the time to sweep your chimneys.
The general rule of thumb regarding chimney sweeping is based on how frequently you use. This is because the soot, ash, and other particles need cleaning to prevent harmful gas formation.
How do You Know It’s Time for a Chimney Sweep?
Fireplaces are primarily used during the winter months. It’s best to set a reminder to sweep your chimney before winter arrives. Or schedule yearly chimney inspections for a well-maintained chimney.
Secondly, if you haven’t used your chimney in a long time, it’s best to have it cleaned before using it, even if you cleaned after the last time you used it. A lot of dirt, moisture, and even nests can block your house’s chimney
However, if you have been living in the same house for a while, here are some quick signs for you to get a chimney cleaning.
- Are you smelling smoke in your home after lighting the fireplace?
- Is your fireplace space starting to turn black?
- Is your fire not burning as strongly as it used to?
- Is burning wood creating more smoke than it normally does?
- Are you catching a whiff of a strong smell from the fireplace?
- Has soot begun to drop down from the fireplace?
- Do you notice animal nests in your chimney?
- Do you see visible deposits of black particles inside the chimney?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to call in the big guns – the chimney experts!
What Happens if You Don’t Clean?
As we mentioned before, frequent wood burning causes soot, ash, and other particles to build up inside the chimney. Over time, the buildup narrows down the chimney and makes it ineffective at drawing the gases and smoke OUT of the fireplace.
Without the support of an air ventilation system, this combustion process causes harmful gases. Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide begin to accumulate inside the home, resulting in serious health hazards.
We recommend that you keep your chimneys clean. It prevents unwanted problems and saves unnecessary costs while keeping your home and loved ones safe.
The longer you leave your chimney unclean, the worse it gets. Schedule a chimney sweep today with CT Chimney Repairs to be on top of your winter game!
Visit their website for more information.
