Fireplaces have never gone out of style for numerous reasons. Not only do they add an undeniable charm to your interiors, irrespective of your interior décor style, but they are also invaluable for keeping warm once the chilly winter months come around. But owning a fireplace comes with the responsibility of ensuring it remains in optimum condition. The mistake that some people make is to focus their attention solely on the fireplace and forget about the chimney, yet this structure has the crucial role of ensuring the fireplace remains well ventilated. That being said, enlisting chimney cleaning services should be a priority for any residence outfitted with a fireplace. If you have never thought about professional chimney cleaning, here are a few things that every homeowner needs to know.
Should Chimney Cleaning Be Carried Out On a Predetermined Schedule?
To make sure that you do not forget to enlist chimney cleaning services, it is advisable to have the professionals come in annually at an established date. However, this should be treated as a guideline since some homeowners will use their fireplaces more frequently than others do. If you light your fireplace more times than you can count, there are a few signs that should prompt you to hire chimney cleaning services. First off, any smoke filtering into your home rather than making its way up the chimney should warn you of the possibility that the chimney is clogged. Moreover, any challenges with keeping the fireplace lit could indicate that the chimney is not providing adequate ventilation.
What Steps Can You Anticipate from Professional Chimney Cleaning?
The first step that a professional chimney sweep will take once you hire their services is inspecting the area. This assessment helps them identify potential trouble spots, for example, birds could have built nests in your chimney, and these obstructions will hinder ventilation. Once they know what they are dealing with, they will place protective tarps around the fireplace to catch all detritus and soot that may make its way into the home during chimney cleaning. Lastly, in addition to brushing the interior of the fireplace and the chimney, the chimney sweep will also clean the exterior of the chimney and carry out mortar repairs if needed.
Can You Carry Out Chimney Cleaning On Your Own?
You may be tempted to engage in DIY chimney cleaning to save on costs, but this is highly inadvisable. Foremost, you will be putting yourself at risk of severe injuries since you will be exposing yourself to dangers such as falling and inhaling soot. Furthermore, amateur chimney cleaning can damage both the fireplace and the chimney, which would mandate professional repairs.
