Although putting off chimney cleaning is easy, it should not be ignored. Leaving your chimneys uncleaned can strengthen fire risks. Cleaning your chimney not only ensures a cleaner burning fire but is also a safety precaution.
Many people believe that cleaning their own chimneys is dirty, and they are correct. These people hire chimney sweeps, pay them, and dispatch them. If you don’t want to pay a chimney sweep, you can clean the chimney yourself if you don’t mind getting a little dingy and going up on your roof.
If you burn a resinous wood, such as pine, creosote, a nasty, oily substance, can accumulate on the chimney walls. When enough of it accumulates, it becomes a fire hazard. Even if it does not catch fire, it can create an unpleasant and smoky fire.
What is creosote?
Creosote is a wood preservative deduced from the vaporization of tar from wood or coal.
Creosote is a black, tar-like substance that accumulates inside your chimney when smoke does not wholly escape. Creosote, as it accumulates, can cause chimney fires, which can then lead to house fires.
One method for loosening crusty or tarry creosote is to burn aluminum cans on a scorching fire. It clumps off and deposits itself in the firebox or fireplace. While this method works, it does not totally eliminate creosote from the fireplace, and chimney brush cleaning is still considered necessary.
Fortunately, a professional chimney sweep can assist in resolving the problem. Although it is a natural byproduct, if your chimney is not cleaned as frequently as it should be, it can cause chimney fires.
What is soot?
Soot also builds up when you use the chimney. This is a dark-colored fire byproduct containing carcinogenic elements.
A black soot stain indicates that something is wrong and the chimney system is not working correctly. For example, if any smoke residue appears on the mantle of your fireplace, consider it a severe warning to have your fireplace inspected.
Soot should be removed to improve air quality and prevent corrosion on critical chimney components.
How much does chimney cleaning cost?
Some chimney inspections, for example, are free. Expect to pay between $129 and $378 for a chimney sweep. The national average is $252 per month. However, depending on where you live, chimney sweep costs may be higher or lower than the national average.
If a chimney cleaner suspects structural damage that must be checked, they may charge an additional fee for the inspection. The inspection alone could cost between $100 and $5,000.
Other factors may influence chimney cleaning costs. A typical cleaning includes sweeping the fireplace and inspecting the liner, flue, firebox, flashing, and smoke chamber.
This cost will be worth it, do not hesitate. It is for your safety. Chimney cleaning Charleston SC homeowners trust would not let you down.
How to tell if it is necessary for you to have your chimney cleaned?
Numerous property owners may be tempted to light the fireplace before cleaning it for the year. A dirty chimney, on the other hand, will show obvious signs that it needs to be cleaned. Occasionally we tend to ignore these signs, and that is just wrong!
Sometimes the signs are not as obvious, but whether or not there are obvious signs, it is still a good idea to have your chimney cleaned. This is especially true if you haven’t used it in over a year or can’t remember the last time it was cleaned.
One visible sign to examine for is when you are burning a fire, you may notice a lot of soot or a strange odor. Here is one reason why you should have your chimney cleaned.
How to clean chimneys?
Cleaning chimneys is messy and laborious. You may need to buy equipment that you will need that is not usually found in homes. That will cost you more, aside from the fact that you will be doing a messy job on the top of your roof.
Don’t make your life harder; instead, call the best chimney cleaning Charleston SC has to offer. Let them do the job.
