Why It is a Bad Idea
Fireplaces are an excellent feature to add to almost any home since they are not only an enduringly beautiful focal point but also an effective means of heat distribution. A chimney is required for use with any type of fireplace; ventless fireplaces are an exception to this rule. Chimneys are connected with a great deal of risk, despite the fact that you might not give it much thought.
Everyone is familiar with the terrifying tales of individuals who became trapped inside of one and were unable to escape; these tales are not simply urban legends designed to terrify people. Whether they were exploring, stealing a property, or just attempting to clean it, thousands of individuals have gotten themselves trapped inside of chimneys for a variety of reasons.
The majority of the risks connected with chimneys are usually the consequence of incorrect maintenance being performed on them. For instance, if the damper were to break, smoke would be able to reroute through the rest of the home. The inhalation of this smoke can result in carbon monoxide poisoning, which can lead to illness and even death.
Why You Really Should Hire a Chimney Sweep to Do the Job for You
When a chimney is cleaned, the person doing the cleaning puts themselves in a significant lot of danger because the chimney is often cleaned from the roof and is loaded with various types of soot. If you attempt to clean it yourself, you put yourself in danger of slipping off the roof. It doesn’t matter if you’re the type of person who’s at ease being on top of a roof; cleaning out a chimney is still going to be a filthy process. When you clean, creosote and soot that has built up on surfaces may fall into your house and create a cloud that settles on your floor and furnishings.
In addition, you won’t be familiar with the specialized methods that a professional will have – missing even one location might result in an uncontrolled chimney fire or a fracture in the brickwork. If you hire a professional, you won’t have to worry about any of these issues.
A professional sweep will do a variety of tasks in addition to cleaning. They have received the necessary training to identify any structural issues and conduct an in-depth study of the chimney itself.
What to check for is not always always evident though; something as insignificant as a hairline crack in a single brick might open up a whole world of difficulty for your chimney. The most prevalent issues are cracks in the masonry and damages to the flue. In addition to that, you can have problems with bats, birds, or rats. The majority of chimney sweep specialists are able to make small repairs on the spot, providing you with piece of mind for any future activities that include burning wood. When it comes to cleaning and examining a chimney, there is very little room for error. One who has both the appropriate education and experience and who has a trained eye is the only one who can see all that has to be done.
It is preferable to avoid having a fire for at least 24 hours before scheduling an appointment with a professional sweep. Even after the fire has been out, ashes and soot might remain heated for a few days. Expect the employer to send a pair, as this makes the task easier and safer. They should fully cover the area before and clean it after, ideally leaving the space exactly as it was before they came.
Leave Chimney Cleaning to the Experts
A thorough cleaning can not only extend the life of your chimney but may also save your life. Every year, hundreds of chimney fires occur in the United States that may have been averted if they had been cleaned properly. While cleaning it yourself may appear to be a cost-effective option, it may lead to a slew of difficulties and even be life-threatening if you make a mistake.
A qualified expert will be able to focus on a thorough clean while also checking for any underlying issues. If you notice any problems with your chimney between yearly inspections, you should arrange an inspection as soon as possible. Put the chimney in the proper hands, and you’ll get many fantastic years out of it.
Better to be safe than sorry. Let the experts handle your chimney troubles like Chimney Cleaning El Dorado Hills and repairing. Call Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today.