Dangers of a Dirty Chimney
Based on the recommendation from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), you should know of the importance of proper maintenance of your fireplace and chimney, and having your chimney swept and inspected every year by a CSIA-certified technician is the most essential task on your chimney maintenance checklist. Not only does your fireplace system need to be checked annually for damages like water leaks, but it also needs to be cleaned thoroughly because, simply, clean chimneys do not start fires. Our certified professional technicians at White Glove Chimney provide expertise in chimney sweeping and cleaning of your fireplace and chimney because we know of two of the greatest dangers lurking in dirty chimneys. Furthermore, we know how to rid your chimney of these dangers, helping you contribute to the reduction of chimney-related fires for the next fifteen years just by sweeping and inspecting your fireplace and chimney every year.
Creosote Build-up
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, more than likely you have creosote in your chimney right now because it occurs naturally in the wood-burning process. As the by-products of combustion (smoke, water vapors, gases, unburned wood particles, tar fog, hydrocarbon, etc) exit your fireplace and flow out your chimney, condensation happens, and its result is creosote residue formation. Sticking to the interior walls of your chimney, creosote varies in appearance: black or brown in color, sticky and gummy, crusty and flaky, or shiny and hardened. No matter what it looks like, this is a dangerous, highly combustible compound. When its build-up reaches a certain amount and your internal flue temperature reaches high enough, a chimney fire can easily result on its own. Having creosote accumulation removed from your chimney every year in a chimney sweeping is essential in preventing a fire, and the CSIA-certified chimney sweeps at Flue Season will thoroughly rid your chimney walls of creosote build-up. If you would like to prevent or slow down the creosote accumulation in your fireplace, the CSIA recommends you ensure your chimney’s air supply is not restricted as well as burn only seasoned firewood as the smoke is cooler when you burn unseasoned firewood.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Unfortunately, carbon monoxide poisoning is on the rise in America, and it originates from heating systems that are not properly ventilated, due to having a dirty chimney. Problems, such as a damaged flue liner, soot build-up, or debris like an animal’s nest blocking the passageway, are easily found in your annual chimney sweep and inspection and should be corrected to keep these toxic gases out of your house. Your fireplace needs oxygen in order to burn fuels completely, and when the oxygen supply is limited, carbon monoxide is formed and can easily enter your home, possibly killing your family. The chimney sweep specialists at White Glove will clean up any residue and/or soot build-up during your annual sweep, and we can also repair or replace a damaged flue liner to protect you and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning. Don’t forget to schedule an appointment for an annual chimney sweeping and inspection from White Glove to have a clean, worry-free chimney.