Did you know, over 1 million chimney fires occur annually in the United States? Everyone loves to sit in front of a fireplace, all warm and cozy, with their family, but not many know the importance of frequently cleaning that chimney to ensure their family’s, and their own safety. Here’s a list of reasons unclean chimneys can pose potential hazards and why it is important to clean your chimney, ideally once every year.
Chimney Fires
As stated above, one major hazard unclean chimneys pose is chimney fires. Chimneys are designed to vent out the smoke from a fireplace. They can contain heat, but they can’t contain a fire. A fire can result in devastating accidents if it reaches the walls or the foundations of the house.
Chimney fires are usually caused by the creosote or the debris inside the chimney. Creosote is soot that builds up in chimneys due to the burning of wood, and is flammable. Hence, it’s crucial to get rid of creosote buildup as soon as possible.
Toxic Air
Unclean chimneys can end up polluting the air inside your house. Chimneys can’t vent out the smoke and fumes properly when it’s full of debris or creosote. This can lead to toxic fumes and smoke rerouting into your house instead. It’s a major health hazard, and this is why every chimney owner must be having a smoke detector in their home.
An increase in toxic fumes can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which is often called a ‘silent killer’ gas, as exposure to it has dire consequences, often resulting in death.
Effective Heating
A clean chimney heats your home better while using less fuel. It’s more efficient than an unclean chimney at keeping your home clean, cozy, and relaxing. It also allows you to save up on fuel costs.
Regular chimney cleaning is essential to your home’s environment and your family’s health, which is why it is very important to get it cleaned. If you’re looking for professional chimney cleaning services in Connecticut, CT Chimney Repair offers a variety of services. Our professionals can clean and repair chimneys, construct or repair masonry, repair or remodel fireplaces, and much more. Contact us now to get your chimney swept!
