When Should You Clean a Chimney?

Unless you are a chimney expert, there might not always be a clear sign that your chimney needs to be cleaned. Cleaning can vary from chimney to chimney and can depend on the type of wood you use. That’s why it is smart to consult with a chimney sweep in Hawaii.

One way to see if your chimney needs to be cleaned is checking the creosote. Always make sure there is no airflow coming from the chimney when checking.  When checking, make sure to wear protective gear. This includes gloves, goggles, a mask, and any clothing to protect your skin. If you find that the smoke chamber is way too dirty, you should not use the fireplace until this is cleaned. Without a proper cleaning, a chimney fire could occur.

What Does a Chimney Sweep Do?

People may advise you to hire an NYC chimney sweep for routine maintenance. However, once they're up there working on your chimney, it may seem like a mystery what they're doing. You may worry that a lot of soot will be falling through your chimney and onto your floor, or worse--that they'll get trapped up there. But not to worry! Neither of those things will likely happen. As long as your fireplace and heating system were installed correctly, there will not be a lot of soot coming from the chimney during the sweep. Also, as long as the chimney sweep has been properly trained, they will be safe.

The chimney sweep will do two things during the sweep. They will clean out all of the soot, as well as inspect the system to make sure it's working properly. The entire process usually only takes between 10-30 minutes. It's certainly worth the investment, especially if you use your fireplace often. Soot buildup can cause chimney fires, which are extremely dangerous.

Chimney Check

It’s the season to talk about chimney inspection. At the height of winter, this is one area of a home that gets a lot of use. Accordingly, chimneys should be maintained carefully, by dedicated professionals, until warm weather returns. And given what the Farmer’s Almanac folks had to say already, it’s going to be a good while before outside temperatures rise.

There are several areas of a fireplace system that should be inspected beyond the foundation, ash dump, firebox and hearth. These include but are not limited to the damper, lintel, smoke chamber, smoke shelf, flue and mortar crown. They all work together to bring heat into the home while simultaneously expelling potentially harmful byproducts.

For more information, check out Chimney Sweeping in Los Angeles.

Fun Facts About Chimneys!

You may know a lot--or a little--about chimneys, but there is always more to learn. We spoke to Winthrop ME chimney service professionals who filled us in on some fun, little-known facts about our chimneys. Here are a few of the best ones:

- The reason the smoke from your fireplace goes up into the chimney instead of inside your home is because of the nature of heat: it rises. While doing this, it creates an updraft and takes all of the smoke with it.
- Chimney fires have the potential to reach 2,000 degrees Farenheit.
- Chimneys did not become common in homes until the 16th century. However, they were first introduced in northern Europe in the 12th century.
- The world's tallest chimney is located in Kazakhstan, and stands at 1,377 feet.
- Hard woods, like hickory or white oak, burn for the longest amount of time.

For more information on chimneys and how they work, make sure to keep up with our blog!

How Do Chimney Fires Start?

If your house has a chimney and you've ever received chimney sweep services, you may have heard about the dangers of chimney fires. You may have been told of the destruction they can cause to your home and the dangers they pose to you and your family members; but do you know how they begin?

Chimney fires start as a result of dirt. Creosote builds up in the lining of your chimney's walls as a result of a restricted air supply, unseasoned wood, or cold temperatures. Since it's difficult to monitor these conditions on your own, it's imperative to have routine chimney inspections. A professional chimney sweep who specializes in chimney cleaning in Carlisle PA can help determine if your chimney needs cleaning.

A chimney fire is no joke! It is a problem that should be handled with preventative caution as opposed to reactive damage control. Contact a professional today.

Maintaining a Wood Burning Fireplace

A wood burning fireplace can save a lot of money on heating costs and give your home a  wonderful aesthetic on the inside. After all, nothing beats the warm crackle of a wood fire. But, if improperly installed or maintained, a wood burning fireplace can be a potential fire hazard. If embers are popping our of an unscreened fire, this can cause a fire in your home. Make sure you have a screen on at all times and that there isn't creosote build up in the fireplace. If you have any questions or need an inspection, contact a professional who deals with fireplaces in Princeton NJ.

Time To Clean Your Dryer Vents

It is really important to get your dryer vents cleaned out annually to prevent fires from occurring in your home. You should inspect the dryer vents for any blockages every six months and get a good cleaning every year. If you notice that your clothes do not completely dry during one drying cycle or they have a musty odor, this means they dryer vent is blocked by debris and will need a cleaning. Contact a professional in dryer vent cleaning in Hawaii to learn more about this and schedule an appointment.