It is no secret that a fireplace often offers an idyllic image to most homeowners. When temperatures are low, the perfect spot to be is curled up in front of a fire with friends or family. Yet, a cozy night indoors can quickly go wrong if you are not taking the proper steps to keep your chimney safe for use. It is essential to get your chimney cleaned and inspected at least once per year to ensure that your home and family are staying safe.
Avoid Chimney Fires
Avoiding fires in the home and chimney is the main reason why a professional inspection is so important. When you use your chimney, creosote and other debris start to build up. The more often you use it, the more these substances will accumulate. Creosote is known for being highly flammable and the more there is, the higher your chances are of experiencing unwanted fires. An expert will know exactly where and what to clean, while using the proper chemicals to do so.
How you use your fireplace and how you burn your wood can also affect how quickly creosote builds up. The way air moves through a chimney has a lot to do with how efficient your fire will burn, which then affects debris accumulation. A professional will be able to ensure that air is running correctly through the chimney and can advise you on the right techniques to use to start and maintain a proper fire.
Avoid Structural Damages
Cracks and holes can quickly accumulate in a chimney, making everything run much less efficiently. They could lead to water damage, which will be cause for costly repairs in the future. It also leaves opportunity for smoke and debris to escape into your home, causing further damage to your possessions. On top of this, structural damage affects the look of your chimney and may eventually lead to discoloration, both of which lower the home’s overall value.
On a more serious note, failure to keep chimneys in proper condition can eventually lead to their collapse. If a chimney collapses, your entire home and surrounding homes will suffer, as the heavy brick falls and crashes into whatever is in its path. This could also cause serious injury to anyone nearby. Avoid costly repairs and medical bills by getting an inspection before it is too late.
Avoid Health Issues
When a chimney is not regularly maintained, smoke cannot escape properly. Having nowhere else to go, the smoke will back up into your home spreading possibly harmful toxins throughout the house. Not to mention, all of the excess dirt and debris build-up allows for more exposure to allergens. If you or a family member is already sensitive to these things, keeping a clean chimney is essential.
Olde Town Chimney Sweeps has all the tools you need for maintaining a safe and clean fireplace. Give our experts a call today!
When it comes to chimney care, it is not always easy to tell what should be given the highest priority. Most people know the importance of annual inspections and regular cleanings, but many other things often get overlooked. One of these is the chimney chase cover.
A chimney chase cover is an essential part of your chimney. If neglected, many problems can arise. Here are just some of the many issues that could occur, should you leave your chimney without a chase cover.
Animals Taking Residence: Birds, squirrels, and other nest-building creatures find chimneys an ideal place to build a home. Unfortunately, the accumulation of these can quickly block up a chimney, causing smoke to back up into the house. Hazardous fumes in the house is not only unsanitary, but can introduce health issues for those living there.
Leaking: Leaking can occur when the chimney is not properly sealed. Leaking leads to water damage, which is detrimental to a chimney’s health and could be a cause for costly future repairs. Mold, rot, and damage to the brick are just a few of things caused by excess water in the chimney. Preventing this is sure to lengthen the life of your fireplace.
Rust: Excess water also causes the metal parts of your chimney to rust, which leads to holes and other damage. This will cause your chimney to run inefficiently and lead to expensive repairs if gone unfixed for a long period of time.
Other Thoughts to Consider
After installing the chimney chase cover, remember these extra precautions in order to ensure that it lasts through all types of weather.
Consider installing a stainless steel cover. This type of material will withstand a lot more and will not rust. Initial costs will be higher, but it will save a lot of time and money throughout the long as a lot of wear and tear will be avoided.
Make sure that the chase and chase cover are securely attached to your home. This is essential in withstanding storms and other outdoor hazards. In this case, it is worth investing in a professional to install the necessary parts to ensure that everything is properly in place and working efficiently.
Seal the chimney chase and cover. Putting in extra sealing will ensure that no leaking will occur and that nothing out of the ordinary enters your chimney. This is also a good opportunity to call a professional to ensure that everything is installed properly.
A chimney chase cover is just one of many parts of your chimney that need regular inspections and maintenance. Olde Town Chimney Sweeps has all of the tools you need to keep your chimney safe and in top shape for regular use. Give us a call today and let us know how we can fulfill your needs!
