Your house chimney can build up a dangerous carbonaceous chemical called creosote, which is responsible for many house fires. Before the Industrial Revolution, chimney sweeps were in demand as homeowners realized the need for cleaning chimneys.
These days, homeowners don’t seem to realize the significance of cleaning chimney flue regularly, which costs them in the long term in the shape of expensive repairs and, sometimes, injuries. Here, we look at why you need to clean your houses’ chimney flue and the potential risks it poses if left unclean.
Why Should I Clean the Chimney Flue Regularly?
Over time, blockages, soot, and creosote can build up in the smoke chamber, damper, firebox, and chimney liner. Cleaning your chimney flue will allow the necessary ventilation while burning wood by allowing the smooth passage of carbon dioxide emanating from the fire fuel.
Cleaning the chimney regularly also eliminates the risks of house fires. Creosote, a highly flammable chemical, can accumulate inside your chimney flue, and even a small amount can ignite a flame, posing serious threats to the safety of your house.
Poor wood-burning practices like a malfunctioning stove can build creosote faster. Pinewood, in particular, is a poor burning material for your chimney as it rapidly builds up creosote in the chimney’s flue and causes chimney fires.
Chimney fires can be hard to detect and usually go unnoticed. If you see dense smoke and hear a popping sound from the flue, it has most likely caught a chimney fire. The blistering fire weakens masonry, the substance that holds the chimney together, which can eventually cause the whole structure to collapse with hazardous consequences.
How Often Should I Get My Chimney Cleaned?
How often you should get your chimney flue cleaned depends on how much you use the fireplace and the quality of the burning wood. It’s recommended that you get your chimney flue inspected by professionals at least once every year.
While there’s no hard and fast rule for cleaning your chimney, the experts inspecting the chimney will advise whether you should go for chimney cleaning or not. It’s pertinent to note that while modern metal chimneys are designed to resist high temperatures, once they get damaged, they shouldn’t be used until replaced or repaired.
When considering chimney cleaning, don’t forget other venting systems like stoves and furnaces. Like a chimney, they need to be regularly inspected and cleaned to allow for smooth functioning and minimizing fire chances.
Even if you use the fireplace sporadically, it still needs to be inspected regularly. The chimney flue or other venting systems might be clean, but the inspections help detect any hidden faults that you might not notice otherwise.
CT Chimney Repair is a renowned chimney service provider in CT. With reliability, affordability, and quality at the center of our ethos, our highly trained professionals provide expert advice and service for your chimney related issues.
Whether you’re looking for fireplace installation, chimney inspection, or chimney repair services in CT, we have got you covered. Reach out to us today to book an appointment.
