TOP 3 REASONS TO SWEEP YOUR CHIMNEY
On a cold winter night, nothing beats the warm and inviting feeling of sitting next to the fireplace or wood stove. A chimney expert Suffolk County can help keep your warm fireplace or wood stove running smoothly. We all want to save a little money, and we may occasionally cut corners, but chimney maintenance is not one of those home maintenance duties you want to save on.
At least once a year, the National Fire Protection Association recommends having your chimney cleaned and professionally examined. We could go on and on about the benefits of cleaning and inspecting your chimney, but here are a few to get you started.
1. Prevent Creosote Fires in Chimneys
A chimney fire is the last thing you want to happen to you. There's a lot of dense smoke, crackling, and scorching scents, plus the whole home is on fire. Chimney fires can be a spectacular and traumatic event, but they're not always intense enough for your neighbours to notice right away. Chimney fires can burn slowly and may not be seen until they've already grown out of control. These fires can spread through the walls or into the roof, causing extensive damage that could have been avoided.
Creosote, a highly combustible result of burning wood, pellets, coal, gas, and whatever else you're burning in your fireplace or stove, can clog chimneys over time. Wood-tar creosote, coal-tar creosote, oil-tar creosote, water-gas-tar creosote, lignite-tar creosote, and peat-tar creosote are all examples of creosote.
2. Air Quality Protection
Carbon monoxide poisoning in three words. CO is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas with a density slightly less than that of air. It is poisonous to both humans and animals. The gas is a byproduct of combustion that is produced whenever fuel is burned, whether it is wood or gas in this case. When burning a fuel, make sure the chimney is clear of any impediments that could prevent carbon monoxide from exiting.
To avoid accumulation, have your chimney inspected to ensure there is nothing clogging it up and that your flue is functioning properly. Don't put off having your chimney swept or examined because you can't recall when it was last serviced.
Restricted air movement can contribute not just to carbon monoxide buildup but also to creosote formation. This is why it is vital to have your chimney inspected and cleaned before utilizing it to ensure that your flue is clear.
3. Damage from Smoke
When the chimney flue is not cleaned on a regular basis, soot can build around it. Soot buildup in the flue can prevent the smoke from being drawn upwards, enabling smoke to seep into the room. Soot will also leave a black film on any carpets, furniture, or other surfaces in the room, including the fireplace. It might leave a difficult-to-remove discoloration around the chimney if not cleaned.
Finally, failing to maintain adequate chimney maintenance might result in a slew of problems. Even if you don't use your chimney, it's cheaper to make sure it's properly maintained than to risk more costly concerns down the road.
