Dirty Flues Cause Fires
There is not always an obvious sign of a chimney fire. There are a lot of people who aren’t sure if creosote sweeping logs or chimney sweep logs actually work when it comes to cleaning up fireplace flues and getting rid of creosote residue so that fireplaces may be used safely again. The quick answer is no, they are not effective in any way. At the very least, not as good as is necessary to thoroughly clear out the chimney in the manner in which it should be cleaned.
There may be apparent indications of a chimney fire left behind if you had a chimney fire but weren’t aware of it at the time. If this happened, you should inspect your chimney. This will serve as a warning to you that you did, in fact, have a chimney fire that you were unaware of at the time.
Whether you want to know if you had a chimney fire, you can check for these indications on your own, but a skilled chimney sweep will also look for these signs throughout your fireplace and flue to determine whether or not you have had a chimney fire. Taking these precautions will ensure that your fireplace has not been damaged in any way and that it is functioning as it should.
A chimney fire may have occurred in the past if there are evidence such as:
- “Puffy” or “honey combed” creosote
- Warped metal of the damper, metal smoke chamber connector pipe or factory-built metal chimney
- Cracked or collapsed flue tiles, or tiles with large chunks missing
- Discolored and/or distorted rain cap
- Heat-damaged TV antenna attached to the chimney
- Creosote flakes and pieces found on the roof or ground
- Roofing material damaged from hot creosote
- Cracks in exterior masonry
- Evidence of smoke escaping through mortar joints of masonry or tile liners
If a chimney sweep observed any of these different sorts of problems, they will let you know about it so that you can be certain that any damage has been corrected before you use the fireplace again. If you have a highly professional chimney sweep do an inspection on your fireplace, you will have the piece of mind that comes along with knowing that your fireplace is now safe to use, without any damage, and is able to sustain the usage of the fireplace.
The creosote layer may be cleaned up a little bit simpler with the assistance of the chimney sweep logs. After using the chimney sweep log, it is necessary to have the flue thoroughly cleaned by a professional since the logs do not completely remove the layer that has built up inside the chimney.
If you simply use the chimney sweep log to clear out the flue, the flue may give the appearance of being cleaner, and you may be able to scrape off part of the creosote that was left behind, but you won’t be able to clean out the complete flue. If any of the creosote leftovers are left in the chimney, it might start a fire at some point in the future. When it comes to the safety of your fireplace, you shouldn’t take any chances. When you want to make sure that your fireplace is clean, well-maintained, and ready for use, you should always have it inspected by a professional chimney sweep and given a thorough cleaning.
Many fires that start in homes are started by smoky fireplaces that the owners mistakenly believe to be clean. When it comes to the protection of your house and your loved ones, you shouldn’t take any chances. If you want to make the cleaning and inspection process easier for the chimney sweep, use a chimney sweeping log. However, you should always employ a chimney sweep who has a lot of expertise and is properly trained to clean and check your fireplace and flue before you start using your chimney. This is the most effective technique to protect your family from dangers such as damage or difficulties that can result in a house fire.
If you suspect that your chimney or fireplace is having some issues, have an expert inspect it. Call Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today. We also offer Chimney Cleaning Cool and other affordable services.