Chimney and chimney cleaning are popular topics and just like other popular discussions, they are marred by many myths. Here are some of the most common chimney myths:
Pine and other soft woods cause excess creosote
Although, softwood may result to more creosote buildup than hardwood, it doesn’t mean that softwood is the main cause of excess creosote buildup in the chimney. Studies have shown that the main cause of the buildup is burning wood (softwood or hardwood) before its ready for burning.
Chimney contractors recommend that you should ensure that the wood that you burn is dry and seasoned. This way the wood will burn effectively and with less creosote regardless of whether it’s hardwood or softwood.
You don’t need to inspect the chimney if you haven’t been using it
While many people may feel that their chimney is in perfect condition and doesn’t require inspection as they haven’t been using it for a long time, this is wrong—you need to undertake regular chimney inspection whether you have been using the chimney or not.
Even if you haven’t been using it, animals may build nests, the chimney liner may develop cracks, and water may damage the chimney. To be on the safe side you should contact a chimney expert to take a look at the chimney and have a look at it.
You can easily clean the chimney by yourself
While the internet has many valuable videos and tutorials on how to clean the chimney, it’s not as easy as you read or see it in the videos. You need to ensure that you use the right tools to achieve ideal results. You also need to be cautious and keep your house clean throughout the cleaning process. To achieve a clean chimney you need to rent or buy the right chimney cleaning tools. You also need to put in a lot of time and energy into the work.
To avoid this trouble, you should seek professional chimney cleaning services. The chimney cleaner will not only clean the chimney, he/she will also repair chimney defects that might be present.
Conclusion
There are many more myths surrounding chimneys and chimney cleaning that can derail you. Always remember that you should inspect and clean your chimney regardless of whether you have been using it or not. To achieve ideal results, always hire an experienced chimney cleaning company to do the cleaning work for you.
