However, the fireplace can be dangerous if you don’t put in the necessary efforts to keep it clean. In fact, every year, chimney fires cause property damage worth millions of dollars and take the lives of several people.
1. Keeps Your Home Safe
When your chimney is clean, you are ensuring the safety of your household. When you burn wood or other products in the fireplace, they produce creosote, a by-product, which travels with the smoke. Over time, this substance continues to accumulate on the lining of the chimney. When creosote becomes thick, it can catch fire at any time, and spread to the remaining parts of your house.
Also, the purpose of the chimney is to allow dangerous fumes, toxins, and smoke to escape to the fireplace. Thick layers of creosote prevent this from taking place, forcing these toxic elements to spread inside your household. Carbon monoxide, one of the many byproducts, cause a lot of health problems when you inhale large amounts of this compound. For example, it can induce fainting, confusion, nausea, and headaches. Carbon monoxide is one factor which contributes to the deaths of thousands of people, every year.
2. Improves Fireplace Efficiency
The fireplace needs to burn wood or other products efficiently, to produce the least amount of by-products. When the chimney isn’t clean, it restricts the airflow, which reduces the effectiveness of the fire. As a result, you have to burn a significant number of products so that your household can stay warm. Not only will you find this inconvenient, but you also have to spend more money to obtain the necessary temperature.
When the chimney is full of by-products, the smoke starts entering your household. As time goes on, you will begin to observe black films on your furniture and other items. These stains are challenging to remove, as they stick to all types of materials quickly.
3. Increases Lifespan
Even though your chimney uses tough materials, it can only handle temperatures up to a specific point. When you burn wood or other products, the by-products cover the walls of the chimney. Due to the deposition of these substances, the fire burns at extremely high temperatures. As a result, you have to spend thousands of dollars on repairs and replacement, a situation you can avoid with a thorough cleaning.
Another advantage of maintaining the chimney is that it gives the professionals the opportunity to take a closer look every part. They can fix these problems before they cause significant damage.
3. Increases Lifespan
Even though your chimney uses tough materials, it can only handle temperatures up to a specific point. When you burn wood or other products, the by-products cover the walls of the chimney. Due to the deposition of these substances, the fire burns at extremely high temperatures. As a result, you have to spend thousands of dollars on repairs and replacement, a situation you can avoid with a thorough cleaning.
Another advantage of maintaining the chimney is that it gives the professionals the opportunity to take a closer look every part. They can fix these problems before they cause significant damage.
How often should you clean your chimney
Once you know the advantages of keeping your chimney clean, the next question you should have in your mind is how often you should maintain it. In most cases, it is essential to clean this part of your home at least twice every year. There are chimneys where you only have to clean once a year. However, these figures can rise or drop, depending on how often you use the fireplace.
How do you know when it is time to clean your chimney?
It is crucial to know when your chimney is dirty so that you can take appropriate action. Creosote buildup is due to inefficient burning of wood or other similar materials in the fireplace. Lack of oxygen can cause massive amounts of tar to deposit on the linings of your chimney.
Before you take a closer look at the chimney, you should ensure there is no downdraft. You can identify this type of airflow by hanging a light material next to the fireplace. To fix this problem, open a window or door in the same room until there is no movement.
When you have to take a look at the insides of the fireplace, you must wear a dust mask. Shine a light on the walls of the chimney to see its condition. You can check the thickness of the deposits by scratching them with a poker. If there are considerable amounts of soot buildup, it is time to clean the funnel. Also, if you observe a layer of glaze, you should get in touch with professionals immediately.
If you haven’t used the fireplace for a long time, it is vital you clean the chimney, before using it. Animals such as raccoons, birds, and squirrels like staying in the vents. Also, during the colder months, moisture damages the lining and masonry over time. Wear and tear can also deteriorate the performance of your chimney, which causes problems in the long run.
On a side note, if you have changed or upgraded the heating systems, it becomes essential you ask professionals to take a look at the chimney. Proper inspection is necessary, as experts can verify if the venting, lining, and other elements can handle the changes
Why should you call professionals?
You might assume that you can follow DIY projects to clean your chimney. After all, there are several videos available online, which give you step-by-step instructions on how to conduct this activity.
While DIY projects seem like an excellent idea, they cause a lot of problems. For instance, you will find videos which ask you to burn the creosote deposits. However, this practice is dangerous, as you can start an uncontrollable fire instantaneously. Similarly, smoking out animals living in your chimney can cause the same problem. There is a high chance you will inhale carbon monoxide unknowingly. Also, the cleaning products you find in the market can’t remove all the stains and deposits from the chimney.
Rather than having to deal with these problems, you should get in touch with professionals. Here are three reasons which explain the advantages of calling the experts:
1 – Access to the right tools
One disadvantage of online videos is how easy they make it look to clean your chimney. In reality, you will spend several hours, to get rid of the smallest stains. When you have to clean the larger ones, you will feel like giving up immediately. You won’t feel comfortable handling creosote, ash, and soot, as you don’t want them entering your household. Also, you have to spend hundreds of dollars to obtain equipment, which you will only use once or twice a year.
On the other hand, professionals know how to clean the deposits in your chimney effectively and efficiently. As they have the right tools, they can finish the job quickly. Also, they will ensure the workplace is clean and tidy at the end of the day.
2 -Discover minor problems easily
When you take a look at your chimney, you tend to assume that everything is okay. Detecting minor issues such as cracks on the lining is almost impossible to the untrained eye. Also, even if you do come across problems, you won’t know how much damage they can cause, in the long run.
When it comes to cleaning chimneys, professionals have years of on-site experience and industry experience. Thanks to their knowledge, they can discover minor problems, while they remove all the deposits.
3 – Zero insurance problems
Cleaning the chimney is quite dangerous as you can injure yourself or inhale/come in contact with hazardous substances. For example, you have to climb to the top of your roof, to take a look at the vent. Without the necessary safety measures, there is a high risk of falling and injuring yourself.
Also, you have to handle substances such as creosote, which is carcinogenic and flammable. When you don’t have the equipment, you are putting yourself in danger. Professionals will take utmost care while cleaning the chimney. Also, they should have insurance, which will provide coverage, in case of any accidents on your property.
When should you ask professionals to clean your chimney?
You can ask experts to take a look and clean your chimney any time before you start using the fireplace. For instance, fall, summer, and spring are great seasons to hire professionals. However, as they will be busy during these months, make sure you book an appointment with them, well in advance.
The bottom line is, you need to take good care of your chimney so that you don’t place you or your family in danger. Knowing the fireplace is clean and free of harmful by-products, is a delightful feeling. Regular maintenance will prevent smaller problems from building up, extending the lifespan of your chimney.
When you know you have to clean the chimney, make sure you get in touch with professionals. Also, make sure they have the right certifications and insurance, to prevent unnecessary problems in the future!