A fireplace and chimney that has not been properly maintained can lead to several problems for Milwaukee homeowners, with the most frequent being smoke that fills your home rather than being vented through your chimney.
Chimney cleaning and Chimney maintenance
should be checked and performed at least once a year to ensure safe
fireplace conditions. Much of the regular maintenance involved with
cleaning a chimney can be performed by yourself, but more intensive
repairs and cleaning may require a professional chimney sweep.
Over
time, soot can buildup within the chimney, and if a protective rain cap
or other guard is not installed at the top of a chimney, then leaves
and additional debris can also serve to hamper the flow of air from your
fireplace to the outside. This can result in occasional or continuous
smoking entering your home. Other factors that need to be addressed if
smoking occurs is construction of the chimney itself, proper air flow
and temperature, and environmental factors, such as wind and surrounding
terrain which can cause the airflow within your chimney to be suddenly
reversed. A professional chimney sweep can address these problems if you
find that regular chimney maintenance has not solved your smoking
problems.
If you have a rain cap or damper installed on top of
your chimney, you should examine it thoroughly to ensure it is still in
good working order. Additionally, you may need to clean the wire mesh
screen that covers your chimney, as it has likely been covered with an
accumulation of soot. If you do not have a chimney cap, it is highly
recommend that you purchase and install one, as a chimney cap will
prevent many problems from occurring, while the absence of one can lead
to quicker deterioration of your chimney, often as the result of rain
and inclement weather. Also be sure to check the structure of the
chimney itself, searching for cracks or crumbling bricks.
A
chimney cap is also necessary to keep birds, squirrels, and other
animals out of chimney. Birds nests can often be found in chimneys
without a protective cap, and can cause chimney fires. A chimney cap
also prevents downdrafting and other debris getting into the chimney, an
important factor for safety.
Within the chimney itself, a
substance called creosote has probably formed and adhered to the walls
of the chimney. Creosote is formed from the smoke that travels up your
chimney. Too much accumulation of creosote can cause a blockage or
reduce airflow. You can use a professional service to have your chimney
cleaned or you can use maintenance products such as Duraflame Flue-Renew
logs. Burning Flue-Renew logs releases a soot removal ingredient into
your chimney that helps loosen and break up the creosote. Flue-Renew
logs are recommended for wood-burning fireplaces only.
Intensive
cleaning of a chimney and fireplace can be a messy job, and there are
many things to consider that a professional chimney sweep will have
experience in that you may not think of. During chimney maintenance,
cracks, deterioration, airflow and draft control, creosote buildup, and
many other things must be checked, cleaned, and considered to ensure a
safely working fireplace.
Oil and gas burning fireplaces also require periodic maintenance, but may require different methods of cleaning.
Contact Clean Sweep Chimney Service today at 414-483-9996 to schedule an appointment, or browse our website for more information about Chimney Relining or Chimney Cleaning.Clean Sweep Chimney Service is located in Southeastern Wisconsin and services Milwaukee, Waukesha, Slinger, and the entire Southeastern Wisconsin area. If you need Chimney repair or Chimney Cleaning Call us at (414) 483-9996. Our Website is at http://cleansweepchimney.vpweb.com
chimney clean is most important to save your home and life.
ReplyDeletechimney cleaning seattle