A fireplace can bring the well-known comfort of a home. However, for it to work effectively, your chimney should be maintained regularly to avoid some unpleasant issues. Cleaning a chimney involves removing soot and built-up creosote for a safer operation of your heating system.
Creosote is a highly flammable substance, similar to tar and even a small piled-up amount has the potential to create a chimney fire. It will build up faster if your burning appliance is malfunctioning or if you practice poor burning execution.
Different types of wood create different amounts of creosote when burned. You should avoid pine as a source of wood. Furthermore, creosote can reduce the efficiency of your fireplace. Here’s how you can prevent that from happening.
1. Chimney Inspections Are Essential To Your System
It is recommended that homeowners get an annual inspection of their chimneys so that proper function is ensured. If you use your fireplace regularly, it is strongly advisable to get your chimney cleaned once per year.
Other venting systems connected to furnaces and stoves shouldn’t be overlooked as well and must be cleaned routinely to preserve safe operation. All heating appliance systems are important to you and your family’s health and are not something you should neglect. Don’t take the risk of an undiscovered defect that could become expensive to repair or worse, cause a chimney fire.
2. Don’t Postpone Regular Maintenance
If you haven’t had your chimney inspected for more than a year, if you experience performance issues, or if you have recently purchased a new home, you should schedule an inspection. Waiting is a bad practice that, in most cases, results in extra repairs. US homeowners lose over 200 million dollars every year because of neglected regular maintenance.
Another good reason to get your chimney examined by an expert is when you have upgraded or replaced heating systems. The inspection is not only for cleaning purposes, but it can also make sure all your venting systems are properly aligned and are able to handle new changes.
If you haven’t used your fireplace in a long time, pests may have built up, which can clog your flue or chimney chamber. Season changes affect your system by combining winter freeze cycles with moisture, causing deterioration. The longer you wait, the more expensive the damages will be to fix.
Staying on top of your chimneys is not only the smartest choice, but it’s also the one that will spare your wallet in the future.
3. How Often Should I Get My Chimney Cleaned?
Even if you don’t use your chimney frequently, there are unexpected circumstances you might not be aware of. This can include birds, squirrels, raccoons, and other animals which may use your chimney, making it unsafe to use without cleaning the damage first.
The National Fire Protection Association confirms that chimneys, fireplaces, and vents should be inspected at least once a year for stability and correct clearances. “If necessary, cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done.”
4. What is the Best Time To Get Your Chimney Cleaned
In the best-case scenario, chimney cleaning should be done before the start of the burning season, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared in advance and do it during the spring, summer, or early fall. Before you think about building a fire or turning up your furnace because the weather has changed, you should get your chimney examined.
The risk of a chimney fire is commonly disregarded by homeowners who don’t take proper measures when it comes to chimney cleaning. When houses were heated by fireplaces only, chimney professionals used to be in high demand. In the 19th century, people were more cautious about keeping their chimneys clean to avoid home fires.
5. Don’t Take Risks When It Comes to Your Home
Nowadays, avoiding a house fire is just as important. Despite most owners using their fireplaces for coziness, the majority still use wood as a burning material and are vulnerable to creosote buildup in their systems. Homeowners are urged to have their chimneys inspected for various issues and cleaned in the spring of each year.
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