When you hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney, you’re taking important steps to keep you and your family safe. A dirty chimney is a fire hazard and contacting an experienced company that specializes in Chimney Cleaning Services in Carroll County MD is a smart move. Read the questions and answers below to learn about chimney cleaning and safety.
Q.) What causes a dirty chimney to be unsafe?
A.) As the wood in your fireplace or wood stove burns, it emits a byproduct called creosote. This substance lines the walls of your chimney and gets thicker as it builds up. After awhile, it hardens on your chimney walls and the flames in your fireplace can cause it to catch on fire.
Q.) When is the best time to clean a chimney and how often should it be done?
A.) The best time to have your chimney inspected and cleaned is during the months that you’re not using your fireplace or wood stove. If you need work done to your chimney, you’ll have plenty of time to get it repaired before you need to use it again. Schedule an inspection and cleaning of your chimney once every year. Even if you don’t use your fireplace very often, you should have an annual cleaning to make sure that it’s functioning properly. If you use a wood stove to heat your home, it’s a good idea to contact Chimney Cleaning Services in Carroll County MD twice a year because of the frequency of use.
Q.) Is there anything that can be done to prevent the buildup of creosote in a chimney?
A.) You’ll always have a certain amount of creosote when you burn wood, but you can minimize the amount of this dangerous substance by only burning seasoned firewood. Seasoned firewood is wood that has been cut and left to dry out before it’s burned. After cutting your wood, allow it to dry for at least six months before burning it in your fireplace or wood stove.
Magic Mountain Chimney Sweeps is an experienced company that offers chimney cleaning, inspections, air duct cleaning and masonry repair.
