The importance of having your chimney and fireplace cleaned regularly really can’t be stressed enough. When you’re enjoying a cozy fire in your fireplace, it’s easy to forget how hot that fire is. As well as how much work your chimney has to do to keep your home safe.  But fire is a potentially destructive element. A lot goes into harnessing it correctly so it’s safe to enjoy in your home.

The Danger of a Dirty Chimney

A dirty chimney can cause many different problems for your fireplace system and home. As your fireplace or appliance burns fuel, unburned particles go into your chimney and leave creosote. This residue is highly flammable and is the cause of thousands of chimney fires a year. Which not only cause serious structural damage to your chimney but can spread to your home. Creosote builds in three stages, and if it is cleaned early on, it can be easy to remove. However, the longer it is left uncleaned and allowed to build the more dangerous and difficult to remove in becomes.

Along with creosote, soot and ash can build up in your chimney vent. The buildup of these substances is a danger regardless of whether or not they are flammable, as they restrict the airflow of your chimney. One of your chimneys most important functions is to take smoke and dangerous gases out of your home. If the airflow is restricted, it’s difficult for these gases to leave and they may remain your home. Smoke lingering in your home is not only bad for your house and can stain and damage it but is dangerous to your health.

Signs you need a chimney cleaning

As a rule of thumb, generally you should have your chimney cleaned at least once a year. However, there are many factors that can affect this, including the weather, how you use your fireplace, how your appliance is working and more. For that reason, it’s important not to rely on the once a year rule too heavily. As well as to pay attention to how your chimney is functioning so you know if it needs to be cleaned.

Some signs your chimney may need a cleaning are:

If you notice any of these signs it’s important to call a chimney sweep even if you had your chimney cleaned recently, so you take care of the problem before it escalates.

What to Expect from a Chimney Cleaning

When we clean your chimney, we want to make sure you feel completely confident we’re doing a thorough job, so you know your home is safe. We’ll go over the process with you before we start, so you know what to expect. With a network of chimney cleaners in over 150 cities in the southeast, our team has the experience and knowledge to give you the best chimney cleaning.