According to the consumer product safety commission, over 30,000 chimney fires and 30 deaths occur every year. The commission goes ahead and reports that over $150 million is lost every year. This data is staggering and you need to take good care of your chimney to avoid the fires and carbon dioxide poisoning. To help you out, here are tips on how to take care of your chimney:
Regular inspection
The sole purpose of chimney inspection is to determine if the chimney needs cleaning or any repairs. You can inspect it on your own or hire a professional. For ideal results you should hire a professional as he/she is well trained to handle the work.
As rule of thumb you should ensure that the professional inspects both the inside and outside of the chimney. He/she should also undertake minor chimney repairs that might be necessary.
Clear the chimney area
It’s common for trees to handle over your house near the chimney. In addition to making your roof dirty, these trees can also easily catch fire thus putting your house at the risk of fire. To be safe you should get rid of the trees and braches and ensure that they are at least 15 feet away from the house.
Burn small amounts of wood
While you will get a lot of heat when you burn more wood, you will be damaging your chimney. Studies have shown that by burning too much wood you risk cracking the chimney thus forcing you to undertake regular chimney repair. Creosote also tends to build up fast when you burn a lot of wood. To be on the safe side you should burn wood that is only enough for the fireplace.
To reduce the amount of creosote and gases produced you should only burn seasoned hardwood. For ideal results you should ensure that the hardwood has been split for a period of 6 months to one year. You should avoid burning pine as it creates more creosote. You should also avoid burning wrapping boxes, papers as you risk causing big fires.
Cap the chimney
A chimney cap is a top that has wire mesh along the sides and it aids in keeping rain, snow, birds and other items from getting into the chimney. During chimney inspection you should ask the chimney contractor to take a look at it and ensure that it’s in perfect condition.
Conclusion
A well maintained chimney is not only safe to leave in, it’s also easy to clean thus when it comes to cleaning you don’t pay premium amounts. To have an easy time maintaining your chimney you should work closely with a certified chimney company.
