Why a Clean Chimney is the Perfect Thanksgiving Gift to Your Family
Fireside gatherings are among the best things about the holiday season. For that reason alone, a clean chimney is the perfect Thanksgiving gift for your family. Each year, thousands of fireplace fires lead to hazardous home fires. These blazes are often devastating, and they usually occur because the chimney was dirty. Below, learn more about why a clean chimney is like giving your family a holiday gift.
The Problem with Creosote
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, you probably know about creosote. It is the sooty, tar-like combustion byproduct that sticks to your chimney liner. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends contacting professionals to clean your chimney once there is a layer of creosote 1/8” thick.
It seems incredible, but it is not unusual for chimney sweeps to find that highly flammable creosote is layered so thick, it obstructs the chimney draft. This situation endangers the home in two ways. First, creosote can easily be ignited by floating embers, resulting in a chimney fire. Nearly all chimney fires cause structural damage to the home. So, even if it didn’t spread to cause a home fire, there is an excellent chance that any chimney fire has damaged the flue liner. If the chimney flue is not intact, the fireplace should not be used until it is repaired or replaced.
Secondly, if a fire is lit in the fireplace when the flue is obstructed, dangerous contaminants will enter the home. Whether the fuel is wood, gas, or pellets, potentially lethal carbon monoxide is among those toxic gases. This could lead to a Thanksgiving that many won’t want to remember.
Feathered and Furry Chimney Obstructions and More
Don’t assume that if creosote is not a problem, your chimney is fine. If there is not a chimney cap complete with a mesh screen at the top of your flue or if the chimney cap is damaged, obstructions may be in your chimney. Leaves and twigs can clog the chimney. Birds and animals can get inside, too, and create havoc.
Some types of birds seek out chimneys in which to build their nests. Chimney swifts are among them, and they are federally protected birds. So, you will need to be patient with all the chirping and flapping you hear in the chimney until the birds migrate. Thankfully, they don’t stay a terribly long time, and chimney sweeps should be the ones to deal with the messes left behind.
It is not unusual for snakes, raccoons, rodents, and bats to access available chimneys. They leave behind waste and, even worse, can get stuck and die in there. The horrendous smell will alert you if that happens.
But if you plan, you can give that precious Thanksgiving gift of a clean and properly capped chimney. The mantel can be decorated in ways that will enhance each special celebration throughout the fall and winter seasons. Of course, the fireplace will be safe to use, maybe even for Santa Claus.
Contact the Pros for a Clean Chimney by Thanksgiving
Hopefully, you agree that a clean chimney is the perfect Thanksgiving gift to give your family. Safety should always be the first consideration when it comes to fireplaces. Our CSIA-certified chimney experts at Chimney Saver Solutions can be relied on for unsurpassed chimney cleaning, chimney inspections, masonry repair, fixing leaky chimneys, flue liner replacement, flashing repair, a full or partial chimney rebuild, and any other services you may need. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. You can reach us by calling or filling out our online form.
