How to Tell if Your Chimney Needs a Cleaning
The winter is the best time to enjoy your fireplace, but in order to get the most out of it and maintain your family’s safety you’ll want to ensure that the chimney is cleaned out on a regular basis. Is your chimney due for a cleaning? Here are some signs to look out for when trying to decide!
- Oily Spots on the Walls of Your Fireplace
Creosote is an oily, tar-like substance that appears on the walls of a fireplace. It can build up and block airflow, resulting in fires that burn colder than usual and irregularly. Creosote is also highly flammable, putting the home at risk of an uncontrollable fire. - Odors Coming from the Fireplace
That oily, tar-like creosote buildup has a very distinct odor, similar to a campfire. If you begin smelling this around the fireplace, creosote buildup needs to be removed by a professional to ensure a thorough cleaning. - Difficulty Starting Fires
Fire needs oxygen to thrive, but a dirty, clogged chimney impedes airflow making it difficult to get the fire started. - Smoke Doesn’t Rise Up the Chimney
Ventilation is crucial to your family’s safety and the proper function of your fireplace!If the smoke isn’t leaving up the chimney as it has in the past, it’s a strong indication of a blockage caused by fallen debris, animals or critters nesting or a buildup of creosote. This is also putting your family at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Even if you aren’t noticing the signs, a chimney cleaned regularly means a safer and more comfortable space for you and your family to gather around the fireplace. Luckily for Tracey Energy customers, we know someone who can help with that!
Our friends at Guaranteed Home Improvement have been working with Tracey Energy when it comes to our customers’ chimney needs. Give us a call or contact us online to learn more about how Guaranteed Home Improvement can help you maintain your chimney.
