IF YOUR CHIMNEY IS CRYING OUT FOR HELP, CALL US!
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Many homeowners tend to delay chimney sweeping until the fall, which is why it is typically a busy time of year for professional chimney sweeps. However, it is best to hire a chimney sweep in the spring or summer ahead of the busy fall season. There are more convenient appointment options available, and if any repairs are necessary, there is plenty of time to get them done in time for the next burn season. Here are five more reasons why you should hire a chimney sweep now instead of later.
Creosote is a combustion by-product that sticks to the interior walls and components in the chimney. In its initial stage, it is a powdery and benign substance that is easy to remove with regular chimney sweeping. However, it hardens into a dark, tarry substance that is very flammable and extremely difficult to remove over time. Sweeping the chimney sooner rather than later makes the process easier and more efficient.
While you enjoyed the fireplace during the winter, soot, creosote, and debris were building up in the chimney flue. When the humidity in the chimney rises during the warmer months, the accumulation of creosote, dirt, debris and other decaying organic matter in the chimney produces foul odors. As a result, you may notice a strong smell near the fireplace that can permeate throughout your home. Hiring a chimney sweep to clean the chimney now is the best way to prevent foul odors from stinking up your house.
In addition to creosote, the combustion process produces various corrosive chemicals that can damage the interior masonry weakening the chimney’s structural integrity. The acidic nature of these chemical compounds can eat through the masonry and clay flue tiles, leading to extensive repairs. Removing the corrosive residues in the chimney as soon as possible will reduce chimney repairs and prolong the useful life of the chimney liner.
Downdrafts A chimney cap protects the chimney from downdrafts, but homeowners often don’t notice it is missing or damaged until a chimney sweep points it out. A sudden gust of wind can push the soot, ash, creosote, and particulates in the chimney out into the living space. Not only does it blanket your flooring and furnishings in sooty debris, breathing in these contaminants can be harmful to your health.
Your chimney may have a damaged or missing chimney cap or masonry damage that allows water to leak inside the chimney. Moisture can severely damage the interior masonry, flue liner, damper, and other critical components that can lead to more extensive repairs later. If your chimney is leaking, a chimney sweep can make the necessary repairs to stop the leaks now to prevent any further damage to the structure.
Beat the fall rush and hire a chimney sweep now. Our chimney sweeps are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and our technicians comply with health and safety standards and use personal protective equipment.
