Risks Associated with a Dirty Chimney

When you spend the winter months at home, having a fireplace is nice. But you also need to maintain your fireplace. Particularly, your chimney needs to be cleaned at least once every year. If you neglect chimney cleaning, your family may be exposed to certain risks. A neglected chimney can accumulate a lot of ash and tar, which could eventually find its way back to your house. You and your family may experience severe breathing difficulties as a result of this ash and tar mixture.

If you don’t periodically hire a Local Chimney Cleaning Pioneer service, you can experience some of the following most typical issues.

1. Soot
Powdery soot builds up in your chimney when your fireplace has incomplete combustion and the wood doesn’t burn at a temperature of more than 284 degrees. This soot can occasionally be blown into your house by the wind. It is a lung irritant that may aggravate existing lung conditions. Soot can exacerbate respiratory conditions in family members who already have them.

2. Creosote
Creosote, a black, oily substance that adheres and accumulates in the chimney flue, is another consequence of incomplete combustion. In the flue, creosote often makes a crackling and popping noise. In addition to irritating your skin and eyes, it can also result in more significant health problems. When you breathe in creosote, you could get lung and respiratory problems. Your liver and kidneys are also susceptible to it. Creosote can cause skin cancer and, in severe situations, may also cause confusion or a seizure.

3. Carbon Monoxide
If you don’t have a carbon monoxide detector close to your fireplace, it could be difficult to notice this hazardous gas because it has no color, smell, or taste. Carbon monoxide can be produced as a result of incomplete combustion due to a lack of oxygen. If you have undiagnosed flu-like symptoms, it may be because your chimney is emitting carbon monoxide. It might potentially lead to heart issues and brain damage in the long run. Because carbon monoxide can be fatal, you should hire a professional to check your chimney at least once a year. It’s possible that your chimney needs to be cleaned or relined.

When the sooty deposit can be measured to be 1/16 of an inch thick, cleaning is indicated. This is typically the case when the sooty coating on the fireplace looks polished, and you can tell that it has been used frequently since the last cleaning. You should have an inspection performed annually, so use this as an opportunity to ask your professional chimney sweeper if the chimney needs to be cleaned. They will be able to tell you when they conduct an evaluation. Less frequent fireplace users might inquire with their chimney sweeper regarding the best time to get their chimneys cleaned.

Avoid letting these risks harm your house. Contact the Chimney Safety Institute of America-certified Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today (CSIA). We have been providing the best cleaning and repair services for more than a year.

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