Post by : Admin
20-Jul-2021
Getting your chimney cleaned regularly is your responsibility as a homeowner. Ignoring to do so may result in numerous hazardous circumstances, for your family and your neighborhood.
Here are some things that can happen if you ignore cleaning your chimney for too long.
Creosote is an oil that is formed when the coal tar from your fireplace is distilled. This flammable substance can build up on the walls of the chimney and may even block the airways. A by-product of tar fog, water vapors, gases, smoke and other toxic chemicals, creosote sticks to the interior of your chimney, hardening it.
Creosote is a highly combustible compound, and can result in some serious fires if not cleaned regularly. If the temperature in your chimney reaches a certain point, the creosote buildup can cause a fire, damaging your home and may even result in a neighborhood fire. Hiring CSIA certified chimney sweeps can prevent the buildup of creosote in your chimney, and ensure that the air supply isn’t restricted, meaning that there will be less buildup of toxic gasses in your home.
Inhaling creosote can lead to breathing and respiratory problems. Anyone is at risk of developing respiratory issues, especially children. However, if you’ve got a family member with asthma, you’ll notice their condition worsening the longer your chimney remains dirty and uncleaned. This is a direct result of all the toxic gasses and tar that’s trapped inside your home as a result of your dirty chimney, and can put your family members at serious risk— especially with the pandemic going around.
Creosote buildup restricts airflow, and prevents carbon monoxide from leaving through the chimney pathway. Since the gas is impossible to detect without a carbon monoxide detector, carbon monoxide poisoning can seem like flu at first. However, symptoms can worsen as the patient begins to experience nausea, fatigue and headaches, and can in some cases lead to brain damage and heart problems.
If you have a fireplace in your home that hasn’t been cleaned for a while, it’s critical that you have it cleaned ASAP. At Creative Masonry & Chimney, you’ll be able to find certified chimney sweeps for the entire CT area, including West Hartford, Canton, Bristol, Simsbury and Avon. We also offer masonry repair, chimney inspection, masonry construction services and more in CT.
