If you have a chimney in your home, then there’s no doubt you enjoy cozy fires throughout the winter. Maybe you even use a chimney as part of the means to heat your home. However, chimneys can pose a real threat to your home’s safety if they are not properly cleaned – which is why it’s important to make sure that your chimney is inspected and thoroughly cleaned routinely.
How Often Should I Have My Chimney Cleaned?
According to the National Fire Protection Association, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.” That’s right – if you have a chimney, you should know the risks associated, and that means you need to protect your home from fires by having it inspected and properly cleaned.
Dangers of a Dirty Chimney
Creosote – or soot – builds up in your chimney when you burn wood or natural gas. It forms when smoke flows away from the burning fire and up into the chimney. The chimney has a lower temperature than the fire itself, which means that soot and tar form as residue mixes with condensation, sticking to the inside walls of the chimney. This substance can cause chimney fires, which can then cause serious damage to your chimney – and can also set fire to other parts of the house.
Chimney fires can be especially deadly when they are silent, due to the slow burning of creosote. Fires can cause a huge amount of property damage and also leave lingering sooty odors in your chimney.
If your chimney is dirty, the buildup of tar and soot may cause it to be poorly ventilated and blocked off, which can cause carbon monoxide poisoning in your home. Installing CO detectors is certainly important, but they are no substitute for having your chimney inspected and cleaned annually.
The Solution: Regular Chimney Inspection and Cleaning
Chimney sweeping is necessary to remove creosote, as well as ensure that the foundation and structure of your chimney is in proper shape. The above issues can cause huge problems in damage and injury, and can be detrimental to your health – or even deadly. The only thing that can prevent your chimney from causing these issues is to make sure that it is readily maintained.
Contact Town and Country Chimney Service today for more information or to schedule an appointment.