Earlier the Better, Say the Experts
As the days become shorter and the cool evenings stretch into long, dark nights, a lit fireplace is like a warm and cheery hug that we all need from time to time. Just the thought of gathering friends and family around a crackling fire brings a certain joy that beats all your winter blues. While prepping for the chilly weather ahead and making plans for Christmas and New Year, did it just occur to you that you missed scheduling a routine chimney cleaning service after the last heating season? In case you are wondering whether to wait until the next spring, experts say the answer is no, it’s not too late! Arrange for a chimney clean up right away, before you light the first fire of the season.
The Basics of Chimney Cleaning
- Why Do You Need A Chimney Sweep or Cleaning? With regular fireplace usage, your chimney, liner, damper and smoke chamber will be at the receiving end of the flammable creosote build-up. Moreover, seasonal elements such as dirt, debris, twigs, pine cones and dried leaves, or birds, critters and other wildlife could have taken refuge inside the chimney, creating risky situations. Any type of blockage or sooty build-up will have a devastating effect on your fireplace’s efficiency and safety. A chimney sweep involves the complete removal of any obstructions that inhibit the performance of your wood burning hearth, or have the potential to cause chimney fires.
- How Often Should You Schedule a Cleaning? While most people prefer to schedule an annual chimney sweep, at times, you may need more than one sweep in a year. Plan a cleaning service when there is a minimum of about 1/8th inch of deposit in the chimney. However, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) advises that if you notice any glaze in the flue, cleaning should be done right away, even if the soot build-up has not reached the minimum threshold of 1/8th of an inch.
- When Should a Cleaning be Scheduled? Ideally, the best time to arrange a cleaning service is late spring, just after the heating season is over, or early fall, before you start lighting fires again. However, if you notice any performance issues with a newly installed fireplace or chimney, call a service technician immediately. If you wait it out till the season turns, it may result in expensive repairs.
- Why Book an Inspection? Each time you use your fireplace, the combustion process releases an acidic material that gets deposited along the chimney walls. Over a period of time, this can weaken or deteriorate the masonry or the metal flue liner. Sign up for an annual fireplace and chimney inspection to ensure that such damages are detected and repaired in a timely manner. The technician will also check all the components of the fireplace to make sure they are in proper working condition. If you have installed a new wood burning fireplace, get it checked midway through the first heating season as well.
For professional chimney and fireplace services in and around Philadelphia, choose Elite Fireplace. Our certified and licensed technicians have the right equipment and training to conduct fireplace inspections, chimney sweeps and chimney restoration and repairs.
For safe and reliable fireplace and chimney services, count on the experts at Elite Fireplace. To schedule an appointment or know more about our services, call us at (610) 489-4274 or contact us online.