6 Advantages of Chimney Sweeping
If your knowledge of chimney sweeps primarily comes from “Mary Poppins” or depictions of the Industrial Revolution, you could be forgiven for thinking that chimney sweeping is simply a relic of a bygone era, no longer necessary in the modern world.
You would, however, be wrong.
Chimney sweeps very much exist, and if you have a working chimney, chimney sweeping isn’t optional. It is necessary both for the effective use of the fireplace and your own safety.
There are several advantages of getting your chimney swept regularly.
1. Preventing Chimney Fires
“Clean chimneys don’t catch fire.”
That is one of the first lines from FEMA’s page on how to prevent chimney fires.
The purpose of a chimney is to safely remove the byproducts of the fire burning in the fireplace or stove from the house. Unfortunately, not all of those particles escape entirely from the chimney. Some unburned wood particles settle on the chimney walls. Condensation also occurs with some of the gases produced by the fire when they go up the comparatively cooler chimney.
The mixture of these materials is known as creosote. Creosote may be black or brown, sticky or stiff, crusty or shiny. However it looks, one thing remains unchanged: it is highly combustible.
If enough creosote builds up and the flue temperature becomes too high, it could ignite a chimney fire, posing a threat not only to the chimney but also to your entire home and everyone inside.
2. Keep Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Out of Your House
The entire purpose of the chimney is to remove the gaseous byproducts of whatever fuel is burning, be it wood, coal, or gas, from the house.
That is difficult to do if the chimney is clogged or if the opening is too narrow, due to anything from creosote to bird nests.
If this happens, gases such as smoke and dangerous carbon monoxide can instead back up into your house.
Removing these items by having your chimney swept regularly keeps it free from obstructions and ensures it operates correctly.
3. Increase the Heating Efficiency
Giving the smoke and other gases a clear path to escape the house isn’t just good for your health, however. It is also suitable for the fire.
Fire relies on the draft carrying the smoke up and replacing it with fresh air to operate at peak efficiency. If a draft is too weak, it can make it difficult even to keep a fire lit. Proper chimney sweeping can maintain the needed draft and keep the fire burning efficiently.
4. Removing Bad Smells
When something has a sharp, pungent smell, it often gets compared to mothballs. Care to guess how the smell of creosote is described?
It is difficult to derive much enjoyment from a fireplace or stove if just getting near it makes you want to hold your nose.
Keeping your chimney clean can keep the acrid smells at bay.
5. Lengthen the Life of Your Chimney Flue
Creosote, like most byproducts of fire, is acidic. That means that it can corrode chimney walls, causing damage if not properly cleaned.
If you leave the creosote on the chimney for too long, your fireplace maintenance will be much more expensive than just sweeping.
6. Reveal Problems early
Spotting chimney problems before they get serious is difficult if the inside of the chimney is coated with grime.
Having your chimney swept before an inspection is a must. Otherwise, the inspector might miss a problem through no fault of their own, but simply because the grime made it impossible to see the cracks or other signs of deterioration.
Contact Alliance Inc. for Your Chimney Sweeping or Repair Needs
Alliance Inc. has experience working on all types of chimney maintenance, from installing fireplaces to sweeping, to repairing and replacing the brickwork. To learn more about our chimney sweeping services, please contact us today.