It's easy to do it yourself, and the tool costs around $80, so it pays for itself the first time you use it. It will reduce the risk of carbon monoxide. A clean, properly functioning chimney effortlessly transports carbon monoxide and other harmful by-products of burning fuel, such as gas and wood, up and out of your home. If the chimney isn't clean or doesn't have adequate ventilation, the process fails. Most carbon monoxide problems related to chimneys are due to inadequate exhaust, something that can be almost completely avoided with regular inspection and cleaning with a chimney sweep.
Sweeping the chimney is important because it helps remove soot and, more importantly, removes creosote buildup in the chimney. Creosote is incredibly flammable and is the leading cause of chimney fires. Cleaning the chimney regularly (approximately once a year) will reduce the amount of creosote in the chimney and should considerably reduce the risk of a fire occurring in the future. Part of chimney sweeping involves climbing to the roof.
Even if you're comfortable with that, climbing to the top of your house carries the risk of slipping and falling. A handmade chimney sweep can save you some money, but it comes at the price of potential serious injuries, such as a bone fracture, organ damage, or head trauma. A hospital bill for an emergency room visit will cost several times more than an annual chimney sweep. If the chimney sweep needs to make minor repairs, such as replacing a missing chimney cover or a damaged chimney liner, they can complete them the same day, depending on the chimney sweep's policies and the tools you have on hand. At first glance, the process of sweeping the chimney can be quite simple, although if the chimney is damaged or hasn't been cleaned for a long time, you may need the help of a professional.
A chimney sweep is a fundamental procedure that must be done at least once a year for the chimney and chimney to work properly. Cleaning a chimney requires tools that most homeowners don't have on hand, such as creosote brushes and cleaning chemicals manufactured specifically for chimney sweeps. If the chimney cleaning was done poorly, it can give you a false sense of security and allow fires to start inside the chimney. Now that you understand the different parts of a chimney and what they do, you can start to get an idea of what a chimney sweep is and why it's so important.
Valley Chimney is a family-owned chimney service company that has serviced more than 40,000 chimneys since its creation in 1978. We'll teach you the basics of a chimney sweep and help you identify different ways to know if your chimney is ready to be cleaned. The first way to know if your chimney needs cleaning is to check for soot inside. During a self-done chimney cleaning job, you may miss a critical part of the job of inspecting the chimney for structural damage. If you are in and around the Columbus Ohio area, Blackburn chimney service may be a good option for you. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), there are more than 20,000 chimney fires each year in the United States alone.
The National Fireplace Institute and the Chimney Safety Institute of America certify professional chimney sweepers and host databases in that you can search.
