The chimney is one of the many features that homeowners tend to overlook. After all, it’s not particularly easy to check whether it needs sweeping. Your fireplace may look clean, but your chimney may not be. If you have a dirty chimney, harmful gases may linger in your home. In the worst-case scenario, a dirty chimney may increase the likelihood of fires. Read on as Batts’ Chimney Services, a professional chimney company, shares how often you should sweep your chimney.
The Importance of Regular Chimney Cleaning
One of the leading causes of home fires is failure to clean the chimney. Creosote, an oily substance that builds up inside chimneys, heightens these chances, so it’s important to have a professional remove any buildup. Moreover, regular chimney cleaning also prevents blockages that can result in carbon monoxide poisoning.
Regardless of chimney type, experts suggest having your chimney inspected and cleaned once a year. If you have oil or wood-burning fireplaces, it’s advisable to clean these twice a year, depending on usage. While cleaning is best left to a professional, there are still plenty of practices you can do to maintain your chimney throughout the year. This includes investing in a chimney cap, which prevents debris and even small animals from entering your home. To keep your chimney up to code, make sure it also has a stainless-steel liner.
How to Know if Your Chimney Needs Cleaning
So, how do you know when your chimney needs cleaning? Because you will use your fireplace more in the winter months than at other times of the year, be sure to have your chimney inspected and swept every year before colder months arrive. Additionally, if you haven’t used your fireplace for a long time, it’s a good idea to have your chimney swept before using it again. This way, you ensure your chimney is still functioning properly.
In the event that you’ve just moved into a new house, don’t forget to ask the previous owner if there are documents that show when the chimney was last cleaned. If you are unsure when it was last swept, you may want to have your chimney inspected and cleaned before you use it.
For your chimney cleaning needs, turn to Batts’ Chimney Services. We provide routine chimney maintenance services to protect you from the preventable event of a chimney fire. Call us at (205) 956-8207 (Greater Birmingham Area) or (256) 660-1338 (Northern Alabama). You can also fill out our online contact form to book an appointment.
