Dangers and Risks of an Unclean and Damaged Chimney

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The best time to have the chimney cleaned is at the end of summer. As the fall months turn into a winter chill, it is important to have a chimney that is safe, clean and operating at its best efficiency levels. Even though we are all busy with different activities during this time, it is crucial that we not neglect chimney cleaning and repairs.

By calling a Frederick  chimney cleaning company, you can ensure that the professionals look over your chimney and give it the all clear. This will make it safer for you to light a fire during the winter months without worrying about any negative consequences.

While it is possible to clean the chimney area by yourself, it is not advisable. Homeowners can certainly do a decent cleaning job, but they do not have the expertise or tools to ensure that the chimney is working correctly. For example, a Frederick  chimney cleaning company can quickly spot any problems in the chimney cap or its mesh. They can see whether the cap is working correctly, or if it needs replacing. In contrast, a homeowner would simply make sure it is clean and assume that it is going to continue working correctly.

There are many benefits to having a regular cleaning job completed by a Frederick  chimney cleaning company. These individuals make it their business to know the best ways to ensure your chimney is clean, safe and operating correctly. A chimney that works properly not only keeps your home safer, but it also significantly improves energy efficiency. This means using less resources to achieve the same levels of warmth in the home.

Here is a look at some reasons why chimney cleaning is so crucial:

1. Eliminate Smoke Safely –

The main reason we have chimneys in our homes is to ensure that the smoke from a stove or fireplace is safely taken out of the home. Not only is smoke very unpleasant to be around, but it is very dangerous. The type of chemicals that are created through the smoke, such as creosote and carbon monoxide, are serious health hazards. If there is too much debris in the chimney or its cap, this can result in the chimney’s efficiency decreasing dramatically. An inefficient chimney will take two or three times as long to get all the smoke out of the home, which makes for an uncomfortable experience.

2. Fire Prevention –

Having a fire start in the chimney is a serious risk, especially if cleaning and repairs are put off for many years. When substances such as soot and creosote buildup on the walls of the chimney and its cap, it can result in a fire. These fires happen when you light a fireplace and the smoke moves through the clogged chimney. When a chimney fire starts, it can potentially burn down an entire home.

3. Harmful Gasses –

As mentioned earlier, gasses such as carbon monoxide are a serious health hazard. This is a gas that has no color, no odor and no taste. This means you cannot detect carbon monoxide in your home unless you have a special detector installed. It also means that you may not even realize that excess carbon monoxide is building up near your chimney, unless someone starts to experience negative side-effects. Carbon monoxide poisoning is seriously fatal, which is why chimney repair is so crucial.

4. Smokestack Damage –

Bad weather and other natural elements can cause damage to the smokestack, which is when it needs repairing. It is better to have this inspected and repaired on a regular basis, instead of running the risk that the smokestack will stop working altogether.

5. Chimney Lifespan –

It is common knowledge that a chimney will last longer if it is inspected, cleaned and repaired regularly. Homeowners who buy a brand new chimney, but never get it repaired or cleaned, will end up needing a new model within two or three years. No matter how expensive the chimney was, it will be beyond repairs at some point. In contrast, getting repairs done every six months to a year will ensure that the chimney keeps working properly for years to come.

Do not take the chimney area for granted, because the consequences are potentially life threatening!

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