The Benefits of Regular Chimney Sweeping

The weather is still warm but before you know it, you will be hauling wood indoors to set an inviting fire ablaze. As summer turns to autumn and autumn falls to winter, the need to clean your chimney will increase. Though you may be considering skipping the cleaning this year, there are several benefits to an annual chimney sweeping in Los Angeles CA.

1. A clean chimney is more efficient. The chimney (and the flue) channel smoke away from the fireplace and out of the home. If you have buildup in the chimney and flu, they cannot function at maximum capacity.
2. A clean chimney is a safe chimney. Chimney fires, like any other household fires, can result in significant damage to property and loss of life. However, according to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, "[c]lean chimneys don't catch fire." Therefore, if your chimney is properly cleaned annually and regularly inspected, then you can avoid a dangerous chimney fire. 
3. A clean chimney means cleaner household air. Chimney cleaning helps prevent buildup of creosote, a wood burning fireplace byproduct. Creosote buildup can prevent carbon monoxide from escaping your fireplace through the chimney and flue, resulting in a dangerous increase of the gas in your house. Without a carbon monoxide detector (which is heavily recommended if you have a fireplace), there is no way to detect whether you have a high concentration of carbon monoxide in your home, as it is an odorless gas. Therefore, annual cleaning is necessary to ensure clean air in your home for you and your loved ones. 

Chimney Cleaning: What Exactly Does It Entail?

When you think about having your chimney cleaned, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns that pop into your mind. It definitely helps to know a little more about the process before you get started. Let's take a look at exactly what a good chimney cleaning in Long Island NY entails.

Residue 

The most important part of the chimney cleaning process is cleaning off the residue that is built up inside of the chimney. There are a variety of different tools that are used for this in order to properly and effectively get it out. Residue and soot that gets stuck inside a chimney could end up causing a fire or other complications if not removed in a timely manner.

Repairs 

Even if you are taking good care of your chimney, it doesn't mean that you won't ever need to have repairs done. There are a few things that should be checked out during the cleaning process. This includes the lining, the bricks, and the cap. These things should be checked for holes, gaps, and any other damage. This will help to give you peace of mind during your next fire.  

You should be getting your chimney cleaned once a year, especially right before the colder months hit and you know that you will be using it a lot more. It's important to have regular cleanings and inspections done, and to address any known issues with your chimney immediately.