It’s easy to prevent home fires by keeping your chimney clean. Two things happen when you light a fire in your fireplace: First, chimney soot and secondly, creosote. This is a thick, oily, sticky residue that comes from burning wood. Although soot is easier to remove, creosote sticks well to the chimney lining. This can make it dangerous as it’s highly flammable. The higher the risk of fire, the more creosote.
How Often Do You Need to Clean Your Chimneys?
You can clean them after one year. It’s an important task nonetheless. A smoky fireplace without enough oxygen can emit a lot of unburned, tar vapors called “creosote”, which can stick to the chimney flue, causing it to catch fire. A good source of combustion air can help reduce creosote buildup inside your fireplace flue. This will promote a warm, clean-burning fire.
Do The Vents Of Fireplace Made Of Gas Require Cleaning?
Yes. Like a wood-burning system, the chimneys of gas fireplaces must be cleaned and inspected every year. There’s nothing but creosote issue to be concerned about, but the bird’s nest may need to be cleared.
Chimney Inspections Should Be Scheduled Every Year.
To make sure that your systems are in good order and functioning according to their intended function It is suggested that homeowners undergo an annual inspection of their chimney. Many homeowners choose to have an annual Chimney cleaning done each year, especially when they utilize their fireplace frequently. Other venting systems linked to stoves and furnaces should be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure safer operation. The furnace, stove, fireplace and other heating equipment systems are essential for your family’s and home’s security, and should not be an area to be sloppy or cut corners on. Avoid the risk that a flaw you didn’t notice could result in a costly repair, or even worse – an emergency chimney fire.
If you are only making little use of your stove or fireplace, however, it is recommended every year to examine every heating venting system and chimneys, stove systems as well as furnace vents. In these inspections, any flaws or problems that could be identified require action even if cleaning isn’t required.
If you are a chimney sweeper Los Angeles firm that you rely on typically, they’ll set you up on a regular inspection schedule. During these inspections, they’ll tell you if it’s time to clean.
Preventative Maintenance In Various Forms.
A typical homeowner question is: “How can I maintain the safety of my chimney between professional cleanings to avoid chimney fires?” There are some things homeowners can do to avoid the dangers of chimney fires. Here are some actions homeowners can take:
Do not allow ashes to accumulate within the firebox. Take them away when they’re getting too big.
Make sure you only use the seasoned firewood you have in your fireplace. If you collect it by yourself, let it dry for a full year or more before burning it. If you purchase it from a seller be sure to ensure that the firm only sells seasoned wood.
Make sure the damper is completely open prior to lighting a flame inside the firebox.
Don’t burn the wood that has been painted or pressure-treated in your fireplace. It will accelerate the build-up of creosote (pressure-treated wood) or possibly cause poisonous smoke (painted wood) which poses a risk for your family members.
Place the biggest logs at the lower part of the firebox, followed by the smaller ones above. Why? The fire will be hotter and emit less smoke. Add a layer of firewood (around 1 inch) and newspaper that has been crushed to start the fire correctly. This will prevent the accumulation of residue in your chimney.
Get an annual check of your chimney performed by an experienced professional. Employ a reliable, experienced chimney sweep to clean your chimney and remove creosote and tar.