In areas where chimneys are considered a necessity, chimneys should be kept in excellent condition. Over time, the harsh conditions of chimneys eventually take a toll on their performance, which exposes everyone’s safety to a minimum. Whether it’s a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning, an unsafe chimney can pose serious risks to people and property.
Based on the expert’s latest statistics, chimney fires alone cause about $140 million in property damage and 25 premature deaths a year, alone. The most common cause of death from poisoning in the Canada is carbon monoxide poisoning. Over 350 people die from this cause every year. An annual chimney inspection by a professional is therefore crucial to ensuring a safe and efficient fireplace. Inspecting chimneys once a year is normal, but for those used more frequently, check-ups are performed more frequently. In addition, the notion that unused chimneys tend to go stale in the off-season is completely incorrect.
Chimneys with unsafe conditions can be caused by a variety of factors during the off-season. As part of the yearly inspection, Experts evaluate your chimney’s condition, as well as make repairs when necessary. A certified professional like Atlantic Brick and Stone provides a credible evaluation in accordance with safety standards. When performing a chimney sweep, a certified professional ensures there are no major cracks, creosote blockages, or other damages which can affect your chimney if left undetected.
For example, many chimney fires are caused by the excessive build-up of creosote. The chimney pipe, over time, could become unsafe from normal wear and tear and might require alignment from time to time, too, depending on the situation. There may have been a problem with the chimney cap that has disappeared or worn out. A flue may be badly damaged or incorrectly installed.
Any problem has its own unique solution because every situation differs. Although only a trained professional is capable of dealing with and correcting complicated and hidden chimney conditions, you can take steps to help keep your chimney safe in between the yearly visits from a qualified professional.
Clean Chimney
Fires are more likely to start in a dirty chimney. Check your chimney to make sure it is clean. Soot should be removed frequently, especially if they are more than 1/4 inch thick. In order to clean your chimney flue more efficiently, investment in vacuums and long-handled brushes is recommended.
Burning Material
Select your wood carefully. Only burn dry woods since they burn efficiently and produce little smoke. It is important to have chimney grates not only to ensure efficient burning but also to keep logs contained.
Proper air Circulation
Make sure that air can circulate up the chimney without being restricted by closed glass doors or not opening the damper wide enough. It’s also helpful if you have a small but hotter fire rather than a large but cool one. Burning cardboard boxes and other garbage will only spark a chimney fire, so please do not do it.
Monitor flue Temperature
In order to monitor flue temperatures when using wood stoves, stovepipe thermometers should be installed.
Chimney inspection
In If you haven’t cleaned your chimney during the off-season, check for loose debris or nests of animals that got in. Chimneys are typically cleaned and inspected at the end of the summer.
Best time to clean chimney
For several reasons, however, spring or summer are the best months to schedule chimney cleaning. The fact that you can get discounts during off-season is a plus. You can also avoid scheduling backups during these times, so you won’t have to do them during the fall.
Make sure that your fireplace or chimney does not produce more “heat” than you need. It is true that losses of property can be redeemed, but once a life is lost, it is gone forever. The best way to keep you and your family safe is to prevent fires in the first place.
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