If you wish to hire a professional for chimney cleaning in Houston, contact Brushes Chimneys. But if you’re unsure about its importance and cleaning frequency, this blog will address why it’s important to clean your chimney and how often you should have it cleaned.
Creosote is the leading cause of most house fires. This carbonaceous chemical builds up in your chimney and needs to be cleaned as a safety precaution. But most homeowners don’t really know the importance of chimney cleaning.
It’s important to keep your chimney cleaned, especially if you burn wood to keep yourself and your loved ones cozy during winters. Burning wood can cause creosote buildup in flues and dampers. Chimney fires are spotted by popping or loud cracking noises followed by dense smoke. But more often than not, they go undetected and may lead to severe consequences. On top of that, uncleansed chimneys can also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which often goes undetected until it’s too late.
Why should you clean your chimney?
The one-word answer to this question is “safety.” Chimney cleaning helps prevent house fires and toxic gasses poisoning. That’s because lighting up a fire in your fireplace can cause soot and creosote buildup. These substances stick to your chimney lining and are highly flammable – leading to a higher risk of a home fire.
How often should a chimney be cleaned?
It would be best to allow the professionals to carry out annual maintenance, including chimney inspection and cleaning. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), you should clean your chimney at least once every year, or before that, if there’s creosote or soot buildup inside your chimney liner.
Can you clean your own chimney?
While most homeowners prefer to save some cash, DIY chimney cleaning is not recommended. That’s because safety comes first. To save yourself from injuries (as the cleaning will require you to climb up the roof) and time, you should hire professionals who will take appropriate steps to protect your chimney, carry out an inspection with a specialized camera, and protect themselves with safety gears. They will also purchase and work with the right types of brushes and tools for the job. Although you can still take these measures and clean the chimney yourself, it’s best to hire experts, especially if creosote is present.
How do you clean the inside of a chimney?
Chimney brushes can clean the chimney soot. But doing that isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. You need to have proper training, experience, and knowledge to carry out inspections and cleaning from the inside and outside your home.
How much does it cost to get your chimney cleaned?
The cost of a professional chimney cleaning mainly depends on where you live and the current condition of your chimney. But on average, you should expect its price to be anywhere from $125 to $350, including safety evaluation/inspection and sweep. However, heavy creosote deposits and cracks or critters’ presence will cost you more.
Forms of preventative maintenance
Are you wondering how you can maintain the safety of your chimney between annual maintenance to avoid house fires? You can take some measures to avoid dangerous home fires. Here are some tips:
- Clean ashes when they gather in your firebox
- Only use seasoned firewood for burning.
- Put the smallest logs on top and the largest ones on the bottom of the firebox.
- This will make the fire burn hotter with less smoke.
- Try topping the pile with crushed newspaper to get the fire started smoothly.
- Make sure the damper is fully open before lighting the fire.
- Don’t burn painted or pressure-treated wood in your fireplace to avoid toxic fumes and creosote buildup.
- Never neglect annual chimney inspections led by a professional.
Hiring a chimney sweep
It’s better to hire a professional for chimney sweeping and cleaning. Choose a reputable, insured, and seasoned professional for the best services, like Brushes Chimneys. Our team will make sure the inside of your chimney is safe, effectively exhausting toxic gasses and improving your home’s ventilation. We will offer top-quality services at fair pricing. Contact us today!
https://www.brusherschimneys.com/
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