We all enjoy the fireplace but most of us never do the most important thing to protect us from the dangers of using the fireplace and continue to enjoy it for a long time. Yes, I am talking about the chimney. Most people take it for granted and never clean it which poses a serious threat to your property and lives of the people inside the property.
Why Should You Clean Your Chimney?
When you burn fire it releases chemical called creosote. This compound is highly flammable and can burn up to 2000 degrees in temperature. When you have a lot of creosote deposit it can set on fire burning your chimney and the entire house along with it. This is why it is important to clean your chimney regularly to avoid this fire hazard.
When Should You Clean Your Chimney?
The National Fire Protection Association suggests that your chimney should be cleaned at least once a year to avoid fire damage or if you see the creosote deposit and it is 1/8” in thickness it is time to clean your chimney.
Just pick up your fire poker and gently scrape the inside of the chimney. If you get creosote on it, you know it is time to clean the chimney.
I would recommend that you clean your chimney every year before the start of the winter season. This way you are sure that you are safe using your fireplace.
How To Keep Your Chimney Clean:
The first thing you can do is try to avoid burning wet logs. They are the number one culprits to build creosote deposits. If you were to burn dry wood, you will have very little creosote deposit and won’t have to worry so much and will be able to keep your chimney clean.
Then there are things you can do like burning aluminum cans in hot fire. It helps drop some of the creosote deposits but it does not clean all the chimney. So it is really not a reliable solution.
The only reliable way to clean your chimney is to scrub it with a chimney brush.
Get In The Experts To Clean The Chimney
Cleaning chimneys is not an easy job. Someone has to get on the top of the roof and clean the chimney. They have to look for any blockages inside the chimney and sometimes have to go inside the chimney to clean it. It is very common for birds to build nests inside chimney or on chimney tops when it is not being used. This creates blockage and needs to be cleaned.
Then you need to scrub the inside wall of the chimney to get rid of all the build ups. It is not easy to reach those insides and sometimes it is not even easy to reach the chimney top depending on the design of your home.
And finally they need to check if there are any cracks in the chimney and fix them to avoid fire hazards.
This is why it is a good idea to call in the experts to clean your chimney. They have the tools and the experience to clean all kinds of chimneys. They do not cost too much and will clean your chimney properly.
