Regular Chimney Sweepings Guarantee a Safer Burning Season
As a family-owned company, we take the safety and satisfaction of our customers seriously. We want to do everything we can to ensure that no one in Southern New Hampshire ever has to deal with the dangers and problems that can spring up as a result of chimney and fireplace neglect. And that’s why we offer such comprehensive services.
Fireplaces are meant to bring peace and comfort into a home, but when fireplaces (and their chimney systems) are neglected, they can do quite the opposite. One surefire way to avoid big problems and dangers with your chimney system is to invest in regular chimney sweepings with a reliable and experienced crew.
Creosote & Chimney Fires: What You Need to Know
One of the biggest threats associated with a dirty chimney is chimney fires. Chimney fires most often occur when something called creosote builds up in the flue.
What is creosote? It’s a byproduct of woodburning.
When you burn wood in your fireplace, the smoke and particles that form go up and escape out of your chimney. But unfortunately, not all of these fumes escape. As the smoke cools in the flue, some of it condenses along the walls of your chimney, eventually solidifying into what we call creosote.
The biggest problem with creosote is that it is extremely flammable. The more you have of it, the higher the chances it will ignite and cause a chimney fire.
Chimney fires cause damage to the chimney system in a few big ways. These include:
- Deteriorated Masonry: Chimney fires burn at extremely high temperatures, leading to melted mortar joints, cracked flue tiles, and damaged brickwork.
- Damaged Chimney Liner: The chimney liner is essential for protecting both your home and your masonry, but chimney fires cause significant damage to chimney liners, cracking and warping them in minutes. And when damaged, a chimney liner can’t do its job effectively.
- Warped Metal Components: Your chimney cap, damper, flashing, and other chimney components will likely be blackened, warped, and deemed ineffective after a chimney fire has occurred.
- Damaged Roofing Materials: It’s common for the roofing materials surrounding the chimney to show signs of damage due to contact with hot creosote and flames. Along with this, your vents, TV antennas, and similar items may become damaged after a chimney fire.
As you can imagine, using a fireplace after a chimney fire has occurred is simply not an option. In addition to the damage we’ve just mentioned, adjacent woodwork will be much more prone to catch on fire, and you could be more vulnerable to smoke exposure, too. So, if you suspect or know you’ve had a chimney fire, don’t use your fireplace again until it’s been repaired and cleared by a professional.
Also, keep in mind that chimney fires aren’t typically loud, obvious events. All too often, homeowners will not even realize one has occurred, and they’ll continue putting their system to use, totally unaware of the serious risks they face by doing so.
This is a big reason why it is so important to:
- invest in annual inspections
- never put off a sweeping when your technician recommends it
- always keep an open eye for any of the damages listed above
You can also watch out for honeycombed creosote, creosote flakes on the ground or on your roof, and signs of smoke escaping through spots in your masonry – all signs that a chimney fire has occurred.
We’ll Treat You Right – Call Our Experienced Crew Today!
Too many sweeps in the industry are underqualified and merely looking to make a quick buck. They may suggest a sweeping when you don’t even need one or, if you do need a thorough cleaning, only do a haphazard job. They’ll leave and you’ll think your system is safe for use, when in reality, you and your loved ones are still at risk.
That’s why we urge you to trust in us for it all. We are properly trained and use specialized equipment to ensure every nook and cranny of your chimney system is accounted for.
We’re members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG), so you can rest assured we have the know-how and inside knowledge necessary to get the job done right.
So, don’t wait! Call today at 603-892-1092 to book an appointment with our team. We’re here to help.
A chimney inspection will let you know which of our chimney services you may need. Schedule it today.