Ignoring this one can cause a fire hazard!
No matter how diligent you are in cleaning your house, some fixtures can be easily overlooked, especially outside your home. One of the most neglected areas is the one up on your roof, i.e., the chimney. Is it on your cleaning list? If not, get to it ASAP.
Why Should You Get Your Chimney Cleaned?
It is a safety precaution since uncleaned chimneys contribute to 25% of home heating fires. Yikes! This is because creosote, an oily substance, builds up inside chimneys and leads to fires. By regularly cleaning your chimney, you can ensure that all sort of soot and build-up from creosote is removed from your chimney liner and smoke chamber.
How Often Should You Do a Chimney Sweep?
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 211 says that “chimneys, fireplaces and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances.”
Other venting systems connected to your stoves and furnaces should also be cleaned regularly. Don’t neglect this area and risk the chance of an undiscovered defect that can turn into a bigger problem later on. Additionally, you may also hire a DC Cleaning Service to help keep you house cleaned on a regular basis.
When Do You Need a Chimney Inspection?
First off, if you haven’t gotten your chimney cleaned for more than a year, please don’t wait. US homeowners have lost over $200 million worth of property due to unsafe systems – you don’t want to become one of them.
Secondly, if you have recently moved to a new place or upgraded a heating system, it is time for a chimney inspection. This inspection will ensure that your chimney and venting systems are in perfect working order and adequately cater to the new changes.
Lastly, go for a chimney inspection if you have not used the stove or fireplace for a long time. Pests can have built nests in that time. Such clogging can cause an immediate chimney fire. Similarly, winter freeze cycles and moisture can also take a toll on the liner material, which requires immediate attention.
Hire A Professional for Your Chimney Repair
Annual chimney inspections are recommended to ensure everything is in working order. At this time, you need to ensure that your home’s chimney is appropriately inspected and swept.
Are you wondering why you need to hire a professional for the job? Well, for starters, skilled chimney inspectors and sweepers are equipped with the right tools for the job and follow best practices with proper safety precautions.
These guys are trained individuals with years of experience under their belt, which would allow them to detect issues missed by amateurs quickly. And to top it all off, reputable companies have liability insurance which covers any mishap that happens while the cleaning process is going on. For example, you can try looking for masonry Baltimore to find the masonry contractors near me.
Final Words
NFPA recommends getting your chimney cleaned and inspected once a year – by a professional.
Planning of doing the chimney sweep by yourself? Pulling a DIY project might seem exciting and would be easier on your pocket, but you might get yourself into real danger or create a mess out of the whole thing. No matter how good you are at cleaning, it is better to get this job done by a professional.