There’s no denying this is a busy time of year. And between the many festive events happening in the Milwaukee area and any holiday get-togethers you have planned, we’re guessing home maintenance tasks aren’t probably high on your to-do list – we get it! That said, we do suggest making one exception for something that tends to see a lot of use this time of year – your chimney.
If you’re looking to relax on a cold, wintery night (which we experience plenty of in this area), there’s no place better to do it than in front of a cozy fireplace. But if your chimney hasn’t been inspected this year, you could wind up facing some risks or inefficiency. In fact, it’s actually recommended by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) that homeowners invest in chimney inspections every single year to ensure their appliances run as safely and as efficiently as possible.
Why is this? We’ve got the lowdown.
Preventing Further (More Expensive) Damage
When it comes to chimney care, it’s always in your best interest to catch issues earlier when they won’t cost you as much time and money to fix. Now, with some areas of the house, spotting issues early on is easily done by the homeowner or by an untrained eye. With chimney care, this isn’t typically the case. Most chimney damages are actually pretty inconspicuous and hard to detect, slowly becoming worse until your system becomes unfit for regular use. Unfortunately, by then, what were once easy-to-fix, affordable damages have now turned into costly, time-consuming repair jobs.
On this same note, things you may feel are minor concerns (and have thus ignored for an extended period of time) may actually be something indicative of a bigger problem. A chimney inspection done by a certified pro will reveal whether a crack or troublesome area is something you should be concerned about or not.
In the end, annual chimney inspections are an affordable and easy investment that could help you save thousands on repair costs down the line – well worth it.
Avoiding Clogs & Creosote Buildup
Lots of things can block up your chimney over time, but one of the biggest threats homeowners face is creosote accumulation. Creosote is a byproduct of burning wood that is created when the acidic fumes produced by your fireplace travel up the walls of your chimney and cling to the interior lining.
Creosote can break down your chimney parts and masonry over time, but the biggest thing to worry about is its flammable nature. If too much has built up, you’ll be much more prone to experience a chimney fire. Chimney fires are known for the extensive damage they cause, and they’re also known for being quiet in nature, which means you might not necessarily know that one has occurred. Long story short? You want to avoid experiencing them at all costs! Inspections are a surefire way to ensure your creosote deposits aren’t reaching dangerous levels.
Along with this, things like birds, woodland critters, leaves, twigs, and other outdoor debris could work their way in and cause problems. If your system becomes clogged, smoke could back up into your home or fires could form in your flue. If you ask us, it’s best to avoid the stress and simply schedule that inspection so you know you’re good to light fires with ease all throughout the holiday season.
Guarantee Heightened Efficiency
All in all, even if no major problems are present in your chimney, you’ll still want to be sure you’re getting the most from it season after season. If you’re not getting optimal enjoyment and efficiency from your fireplace, then what’s the point, right? Ensure you’re not missing out on anything by letting our sweeps take a look.
We can also discuss ways to enhance your fireplace experience! Whether this means investing in a fireplace facelift or looking into some accessories to personalize your space, we’ve got the resources to set you up right.
Ready to Get Started? We Can Help!
We’re here to ensure you get through the holidays with ease – at least when it comes to your chimney. Call us in, so we can check your system over to ensure no hidden danger or damages are present, and if you need anything further, like a sweeping or a new chimney cap installed, we’d be happy to handle all that, too.
Give the experts at Ashbusters a holler today before that harsh and snowy winter winter weather starts to set in. We’re here for you!