Schedule Chimney Service Before the First Fire

Now that the seasons have turned, fall is here in full force and winter is coming soon. The chilly winds have colorful leaves falling from trees, and everyone is digging through the closet to find their cozy coats. Along with sipping hot apple cider and raking the endless leaves, many homeowners have another thought on their mind this time of year: heating their homes.

For those who do not utilize central, gas-powered heating, fireplace and wood stoves are generally the heating choice. With these appliances, though, comes a special responsibility to keep them running safely every year. Before you light a fire in your wood stove or fireplace, call your mason out for an annual chimney sweep and inspection. Choosing not to carefully maintain your hearth appliance could have disastrous consequences.

Our chimney sweeping service serves two main purposes. The first is to check your chimney for any obstructions. Little animals like birds and squirrels like to make a cozy home out of the warm constraints of your flue. When animals or other debris obstruct the air flow in the chimney, the chimney cannot properly do its job of expelling toxic fumes created by the fire from your home. As the fumes hit the obstruction, they have no option except for turning back and filling your home. This can cause serious health problems like carbon monoxide poisoning or even death.

Our chimney sweeping service also clears out the creosote that has built up on your flue liner. Creosote is the byproduct of burning wood, and its tarlike nature causes it to cling to whatever surface it touches. Over time, the creosote could build up in the chimney enough to completely close up the flue, which leads to the same problem as an animal living in the flue. In addition, creosote is highly flammable, so failing to remove it regularly increases the risk of an unintentional chimney or house fire.

A chimney inspection is another service you should schedule prior to lighting a fire for the first time this season. Our CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep will examine every accessible part of your fireplace and chimney to ensure it is functioning safely. He or she can find a variety of issues that you might never have noticed, and it could just save your life. We can also determine if your fireplace and flue were properly installed. A poor installation could cause fumes to back up into your home. An inspection can also tell you if your flue lining is in good repair. A cracked or missing liner can cause chimney damage, water damage, and even house fires. If you have a masonry chimney, our CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps will examine it for any water damage or structural deficiencies, which could lead to collapse if not tended to.

All in all, having your chimney swept and inspected this season by one of our CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps is easily worth the upfront money compared to paying for any expensive damages you could have caught early. If you live in the area of Wichita, Kansas, contact Home Safe Hearth and Chimney, Inc. to make your appointment today.