The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and other fire safety organizations agree on one thing. Homeowners need their chimneys professionally swept at least once a year! Ashbusters agrees with these organizations and is proud to provide professional chimney maintenance services to the residents of Charleston. You may wonder why you need this service, especially if you do not use your fireplace everyday. However, even if your chimney appears to look clean, there could be dangers lurking inside. It can be very difficult to see everything inside your chimney. This is one reason you need to hire a professional to look for you. We would like to tell you more about why you need to have your chimney professionally swept at least once a year.
Avoid chimney fires.
The biggest reason you need to have your chimney professionally swept every year? Having the creosote removed from the inner walls! When you burn wood, creosote is a fact of life. As smoke, tar, gases, and other byproducts of combustion exit the cooler upper chimney walls, condensation occurs and transforms the byproducts into creosote. This residue sticks to the walls of the chimney and can accumulate into large deposits. If the internal temperature of your chimney gets hot enough, these deposits could become very dangerous. Creosote is so flammable that that CSIA has named it a leading cause of chimney fires. When Ashbusters sweeps your chimney, we take great care to remove every bit of creosote. Greatly reducing your risk of a chimney fire. Your safety is our top priority. You can count on us to make your chimney safe.
Reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Another hidden danger inside your chimney can be a flue blockage. Debris such as leaves, broken bricks, and even creosote deposits can block the exit of your chimney. This forces toxic gases like carbon monoxide back into your home. Our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps will check to be sure nothing is blocking your chimney. If we do find any debris blocking the flue, we will remove it. We will ensure that your chimney exhausts safely and efficiently, after we have removed the blockage before we leave your home. We will also look for other damage such as missing bricks and mortar joints. This is damage that can cause your chimney to be unsafe to operate. As we said earlier, your safety is our top priority! Ashbusters works hard to ensure your fireplace and chimney system is working as safely as possible.
Make sure your chimney is working at its best. Contact us at Ashbusters today to schedule an appointment for your annual professional chimney sweeping.