Alexandria 703-705-7550
Richmond 804-494-7667
757 Location 757-767-4559
Top
  • Clear All

Avoid a Chimney Fire in Arlington, VA, With Proper Cleaning

A fireplace makes your Arlington, VA, home attractive and welcoming. However, fireplaces come with distinct maintenance responsibilities of cleaning to keep them safe. Here are some reasons cleaning is crucial in preventing a chimney fire.

Minimize Creosol Buildup

Creosol is a dark brown, gummy, corrosive and flammable substance that coats the inside of the connector pipes and flue of a wood-burning fireplace. It’s a byproduct of vapor, unburned wood and smoke that condenses on the cooler surfaces of your chimney. Creosol is highly flammable, and when it builds up, it can catch fire when temperatures rise in the chimney.

Since creosol is the main culprit of chimney fires, ensure you burn dry seasoned hardwood, which has a moisture content of less than 20%. Also, schedule regular inspections and cleaning to prevent it from building up.

Increase in Heating Efficiency

Maintaining a clean chimney will help the wood to burn more effectively and thoroughly. If you don’t clean your fireplace regularly, it’ll clog and have insufficient oxygen circulation. Since burning requires oxygen, the clog could mean minimal oxygen reaches the burning wood.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide, an odorless gas in high levels, can be dangerous and sometimes even fatal. If you don’t get your chimney cleaned, it could clog from twigs, animal nests and creosol. As a result, it can compromise the airflow. If the airflow gets compromised, it could lead to drawing back carbon monoxide into the house, which leads to air poisoning.

Just like carbon monoxide, smoke also gets pushed back into your living space. While smoke is visible and has a smell, it’s dangerous to your health. The smoke can also damage your home items such as clothes, rugs and furnishings and, in some cases, cause a fire.

Additionally, smoke is neither safe nor pleasant to inhale, especially for children. To prevent any damages caused by fires, contact a service technician for cleaning and maintenance services.

To prevent the danger of a chimney fire, contact a certified chimney sweep company The team of professionals at Rooftop Chimney Sweeps will help you with all your chimney cleaning needs.

Categories:  
Related Posts
  • Keeping the Hearth Happy: How Often Should Your Chimney Be Cleaned? Read More
  • The Fallacy of Individual Brick Replacement: Unveiling the True Enemy - Water Damage Read More
  • 4 Reasons to Have Your Richmond, VA, Chimney Cleaned in the Spring Read More
/