Don’t Forget to Schedule Your Chimney Cleaning
Summer is around the corner, and that means vacations, relaxing, having fun outdoors, etc. However, it’s also a time to take care of necessary home improvement and maintenance. While winter is the last thing on your mind now, it will be here before you know it, so it’s wise to schedule chimney cleaning now instead of putting it off until the last minute, and here’s why.
Why Regular Chimney Cleaning is Important
Like most homeowners, you have a never-ending list of repairs and household chores, including getting your chimney swept. However, it’s easy to push things off and forget, but here’s why you should prioritize regular chimney cleaning and maintenance.
Safety
The obvious reason to keep your chimney clean is to prevent a chimney fire. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), “most chimney fires start inside the flue, where there’s either creosote buildup or a flue blockage of some kind. As heat from the fire reaches these flammable materials, the creosote blockage ignites, starting a chimney fire.
Many people think there needs to be a significant buildup of creosote to create a problem, but that’s not the case. Again, according to the CSIA, “a buildup of as little as 1/8 to 1/4 inch of creosote is sufficient to create a fire hazard.”
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) is called a silent killer and claims nearly 500 people in the United States annually. It’s called silent because it’s odorless and colorless, and people typically don’t know they’re in danger until it’s too late.
Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of burning fuel such as wood, gas, charcoal, and kerosene. This gas vents up the chimney and out of the house to keep everyone safe. However, if the chimney is blocked, the gas can’t escape and builds up in the home. Common symptoms of CO poisoning are:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Lethargy
- Sleepiness
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
Routine chimney sweeping ensures your flue is clear and can properly vent this deadly gas.
*Chimney Life Expectancy Besides being a significant factor in chimney fires, creosote is highly corrosive and can damage the flue liner, reducing the lifespan of your chimney. Major chimney repairs or rebuilding are expensive, but easily avoidable if you stay on top of routine cleaning and maintenance.
Reasons to Schedule Chimney Cleaning in Spring or Summer
We’ve established why it’s essential to your safety to keep your chimney clean, but let’s pivot and talk about why it’s best to schedule service in spring or summer.
Money Savings
Spring and summer are typically downtimes for your local chimney sweep, so you can often get a better rate for cleaning and inspection. As winter gets nearer, their schedules fill up quickly, and it could cost more the longer you wait.
Easier Scheduling
Because chimney sweeps aren’t as busy in spring and summer, it’s easier to schedule an appointment that’s convenient for you. It’s not uncommon to get a technician for service in the next day or two after making the call. However, if you wait until the last minute, you could find that you’ll have an extended wait time because the company is booked solid. Imagine that first chilly night in the fall, and you can’t build a fire because you haven’t been able to get someone out to clean your chimney.
Peace of Mind
Lastly, cleaning your chimney in the spring or summer checks this task off your to-do list, so you don’t have to worry about it later. So, when the temperature eventually dips, and you want to take the chill off, you can rest easy knowing your fireplace is ready to go and is safe.
Why Hire a Pro for Chimney Cleaning?
The cost of everything is rising, and there’s no end in sight. So, it’s understandable for many homeowners to tackle household repairs and maintenance chores to save a few bucks versus hiring a professional. While that’s admirable, some tasks are best left to the pros, and chimney sweeping is one. Here’s why.
It’s Safer
Professional chimney sweeps have the right equipment, training, and experience to clean your chimney and ensure it’s safe. The harsh reality is that chimney sweeping isn’t a regulated industry, which means it’s easy for someone who isn’t certified or skilled to start a chimney cleaning business. Being an entrepreneur is admirable, but when there’s a risk of a chimney fire, you want to be confident that your system is clean, and that’s what you get from a certified professional.
It’s More Efficient
Because they have the proper tools and experience, professional chimney sweeps do the job more quickly than if you did it yourself. Moreover, certified chimney sweeps know what to look for and can spot issues you may not be aware of and could put your family at risk.
Call the Local Chimney Cleaning Professionals
Mercer County Chimney Service is the go-to chimney and fireplace service company in Hamilton, NJ, and Mercer County because our technicians are licensed, insured, and certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fireplace Institute. We offer a complete list of chimney and fireplace services. Contact us today at 609–802–5288.