Preventing Chimney Fires
Fires that start in chimneys occur often in the United States, particularly during the colder months. This time of year is consistently chilly, so everybody makes an effort to remain warm. When trying to reduce their monthly power costs, the vast majority of individuals turn to fireplaces. But, alas, it’s possible that they are unaware of the potential damage that the fireplaces might cause to them if the appropriate precautions are not taken.
This is not to imply that fireplaces are in any way problematic. On the other hand, if homeowners carefully maintain their chimneys in order to prevent chimney fires, then these types of heating sources are perfectly safe to use. Because of this, it is essential for every homeowner to be familiar with proper chimney fire prevention techniques. A chimney fire may be terrifying because it can quickly travel throughout a property and cause it to catch fire. According to a survey, chimney fires in the United States cause an average of more than 125 million dollars’ worth of property damage per year. This figure accounts for more than 25,000 fires. Nevertheless, if you pay attention to the following hints, you can prevent this from happening:
Inspection of the Chimney Once a Year The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) and the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) both suggest that you have a chimney inspected, repaired, and cleaned by a professional at least once a year in order to reduce the risk of chimney fires. If you need assistance with your chimney, it is highly recommended that you use a chimney sweep that is accredited by the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
Be wary of the accumulation of soot.
Because soot is a combustible substance, it has the potential to start a fire in your chimney. Soot will need to be removed from the smoke chamber, the inside of the flue, the smoke shelf, and the firebox by an expert as part of the cleaning process in order to reduce the risk of a fire.
Creosote buildup should be checked out in the chimney.
Creosote is another substance that has a significant potential for ignition. Therefore, check the smoke chamber, the inside of the flue, the smoke shelf, and the firebox to ensure that creosote is not present in any of these areas.
You Should Clean the Inside of Your Fireplace.
Always make sure that the interior of your fireplace is clean on a consistent basis. The cool ashes need to be swept up, and you should also make sure the floor is clean.
Put in a liner made of stainless steel.
Liners made of stainless steel are highly recommended by industry professionals due to their ability to endure high temperatures and effectively retain ashes. Additionally, the liners are essential for preventing carbon monoxide gas from seeping into your home through any cracks in the chimney’s brick or mortar. This can happen if the chimney has a fracture. The liners made of stainless steel also have a longer lifespan.
Install a cap on the chimney.
A chimney cap is vital for preventing sparks from escaping from chimneys and starting fires. It stops combustible materials from getting into the chimney in the first place. In addition to this, it prevents ambers from rising out of the chimney onto the roof, which in turn minimizes the likelihood of a fire starting on the roof.
Better safe than sorry, have free safety inspections if you book for Chimney Cleaning Clipper Mills today with Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning.