Owning a home with a fireplace and chimney is something that many home buyers aspire to. However, when you buy a home that has a chimney, there is some care that goes into it. You will need to get your chimney cleaned by a professional in order to keep it running at its best. To learn the reasons for getting your chimney cleaned by a professional, how often you should get your chimney cleaned and how much you can expect to pay for it, read on and then call up a professional for help.
Why you need to get your chimney cleaned by professional
Professional chimney cleaners will give you a thorough cleaning that will keep your chimney as safe as possible. When you fail to clean your chimney regularly, creosote, a byproduct of fire, will begin coating the walls of your chimney, making it very flammable. Chimney fires are some of the worst types since they quickly spread and create damage to your entire home. Creosote buildup also traps carbon monoxide into your home, which is odorless and very deadly. So don't think of professional chimney cleaning as an option — it is a necessity to keep your household safe from danger.
Knowing when to get your chimney cleaned
There is no tried-and-true rule for when you should get your chimney cleaned, so it will require you to either call up a professional for an inspection, or inspect the chimney yourself. You will need to learn how to check for creosote within your chimney. To do this, you should first and foremost make sure that there is no downdraft. If you begin inspecting your chimney and feel air coming down onto you, open up some windows in your home so that air is able to flow outside. Once you have inspected potential downdraft, put on a mask and goggles, grab a heavy-duty flashlight and your fireplace poker and begin scratching at black material located above the smoke chamber. Make an estimated measurement of the level of creosote that you are scratching. If you estimate that this layer is about an eight of an inch thick, call up a professional for a cleaning. If it is a quarter inch thick or more, stop using the chimney until you get a professional cleaning, because you are at risk for chimney fires at any point of use.
Understanding the price of chimney cleaning
You need to call up professional chimney contractors for quotes on how much the work will cost. The cost of a regular sweeping should cost you between $79 and $200. Make sure that any professional that you hire also provides you with regular inspections to keep your chimney up to par.
Consider these points so that you get the best service for your chimney. For more information or assistance, consider contacting companies like Country Corner Chimney Sweeps.
