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The Dangers of Not Maintaining Your Chimney

Post by : Admin

15-Feb-2022

A chimney sweep cleaning a chimney.

A chimney is used as a heating system and a fireplace. If it’s not cleaned correctly, it can affect the chimney’s functionality. Regularly neglecting your chimney can reduce its lifecycle. However, there are many other dangers as well. Let’s take a look at some.

Chimney Fire

As the chimney continues to burn, it begins to fill up with toxic material such as creosote. Creosote is a carbon compound filled with hazardous chemicals, which continues to stick to the chimney walls.

Over time, the creosote forms a tar-like substance, stopping ventilation and interfering with the heating system of the chimney as well. It’s also very flammable and can easily cause a house fire with a bit of burnt amber.

Neglecting chimney cleaning and maintenance are the leading causes of chimney fires every winter. It has been reported that homeowners can avoid most fires if they take better care of their chimneys.

Chimney fires are very hazardous, as they can cause serious injuries, property damage, and even fatalities.

Subjection To Toxic Fumes

Not cleaning the chimney leads to the chimney flue clogging, which can cause ventilation problems. The chimney’s path must be free of any obstacles so that fumes can pass through easily. Otherwise, they will accumulate in the house. Small animals such as squirrels, rodents, and birds may build nests on top of the chimney, causing a blockage.

A bird sitting on top of a chimney flue.

This is one of the main reasons CO detectors are a must for homes with a chimney. CO detectors can detect dangerous toxic levels before any safety and health hazard occurs.

The gas can cause health issues such as headaches, dizziness, unconsciousness, and even death at high levels. For this reason and many others, the chimney should be cleaned and maintained regularly.

Trouble With Home Insurance Companies

Many home insurance companies require homeowners to do an annual cleaning and inspection. Failing that, they may cancel the insurance policy, with no reimbursement for damages. It is cheaper to hire a chimney sweep.

These measures are taken to ensure the safety of you and your family, plus fulfill the requirements of the insurance companies as well.

Chimney repair and cleaning should be done at least once a year. To hire the best chimney cleaning services in East Hartford, CT, contact Creative Masonry and Chimney today. We provide chimney rebuilding services as well as masonry restoration. Give us a call today to learn more about our services.