Aside from giving décor and adding curb appeal to your home, some people love chimneys because they think that they are maintenance-free. The main function of the chimney is to release smoke and gases from the home, and bear a burning fireplace, furnace and woodstove. It also helps your home to breathe and circulate air just like what your windows and kitchen vents are doing for your home. But unlike any other venting materials, your chimney may need maintenance.
As you enjoy the gentle and warm fire in your fireplace, there is a sense of enjoyment and comfort that you may experience – and the condition of your chimney is far behind your thoughts. It is necessary to give it some thought before actually using your fireplace and chimney so that you will be able to fully enjoy the experience. This is because a dirty chimney can damage and destroy and cause fire in your home and lives of the people in your home.
Wood stoves and fireplaces function to give heat in the home through wood and fuel fires. The chimney connected to your fireplace or wood stove expels the byproducts while heating. These are stuffs that are produced while burning the wood such as small wood elements, smoke, tar fog, gases, water vapor, hydrocarbon volatile and other various minerals. The remaining deposits that stick to your chimney wall are known as creosote. It is usually color brown or black and has a flaky, sticky, crusty and firm tar-like appearance. Creosotes are very flammable and can cause fire especially if the buildup has reached a considerable amount that may trigger fire inside the chimney. Chimney sweeps are very particular in checking the creosote indie the chimneys. Creosotes may build up depending on many factors such as limited supply of air, woods that are not seasoned well, and a cool temperature.
Households with chimneys are encouraged to clean their chimneys regularly. A chimney sweep does not only clean your chimney but it will also inspect your whole chimney if there are parts that need to be repaired. They can also recommend you some tips on how to maintain and use your chimneys and fireplace properly.