Now that winter is over, the last thing you want to think about is the condition of your chimney. Dirty chimneys can cause chimney fires, which damage or destroy homes and injure people.
Clean chimneys don’t catch fire. Make sure a professional chimney sweep such as ABC Cleaning, Inc. inspects your solid fuel venting system annually, and sweeps and repairs it whenever needed. Your sweep may have specific maintenance recommendations depending on how you use your fireplace or stove.
The chimney and the flue that lines it are there to carry dangerous gases from the fireplace or wood stove safely out of the home.
What do chimneys do?
Fireplaces are designed to contain wood-fuel fires while providing heat for a home. Chimneys expel the by-products of combustion that include smoke, water vapor, gases, unburned wood particles, hydrocarbon, tar fog and assorted minerals. As these substances leave the fireplace, and flow up into the relatively cooler chimney, condensation occurs. The resulting residue that sticks to the inner walls of the chimney is called creosote.
What is creosote?
Creosote is a black or brown residue that can be crusty and flaky—tar-like, drippy and sticky—or shiny and hardened. All forms are highly combustible. If it builds up in sufficient quantities, and the internal flue temperature is high enough, the result could be a chimney fire.
Conditions that cause the buildup of creosote:
Restricted air supply and unseasoned wood encourage the buildup of creosote. To avoid that buildup:
- Do not restrict the air supply:
- By closing the glass doors.
- By failing to open the damper wide enough. The longer the smoke is in the flue, the more likely is it that creosote will form.
- By closing down the stove damper or air inlets on a wood stove too soon or too much.
- Do not burn unseasoned wood:
- So much energy is used initially just to drive off the water trapped in the cells of the logs that it keeps the resulting smoke cooler than if seasoned wood is used.
Fireplace safety:
- Keep a glass or metal screen in front of fireplace to prevent embers or sparks jumping out.
- Do not burn paper in your fireplace.
- Put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home.
- Put ashes in a metal container with a lid, outside, at least 3 feet from your home.
For more information and free resources, go online to www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/.
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America CSIA an annual chimney inspection performed by a qualified professional can help prevent carbon monoxide intrusion and chimney fires. These inspections can also identify potential system issues to address them before they become costly.
Many agencies and organizations now recognize the importance of annual heating system inspection and maintenance in keeping “the silent killer” at bay.
A well-tuned furnace or boiler will operate efficiently and produce a warm and comfortable home. An overlooked heating system can produce death and heartbreak.
Considering the risks involved when heating systems are neglected – and the benefits of having them properly maintained – it is wise to have your chimneys checked annually by a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep and swept or repaired as needed.
ABC Cleaning, Inc. | Air Duct Cleaning Orlando
Serving Central Florida since 1992, ABC Cleaning, Inc. has been the acknowledged leader in air duct cleaning, chimney cleaning, and dryer vent cleaning. We’re NADCA certified, we consistently invest in and have the most modern equipment, and utilize the latest technology available with the best-trained service technicians in all of Orlando. If you need help deciding whether to replace or repair faulty ducts, please contact us at ABC. We provide quality HVAC service throughout Orlando and the surrounding communities.
