Do you want to keep your house from chimney fires in winter?
Chimney fires, burning kids, and accidental collapses are just some of the thousands of chimney accidents that happen every year. These disasters are so unfortunate and could have been prevented by a thorough chimney inspection and routine cleaning.
Did you know that 25,000 chimney fires happen every year in the US? These fires cause more than $125 million in property damage.
Fortunately for us, by looking for warning signs, you can stop these terrible situations from happening and prevent possible danger to your family.
What You’ll Discover in This Post:
- Why chimney maintenance is more important than you might think
- The top 7 serious warning signs of chimney cleaning
- How to know when chimney sweep services are required
- How to avoid chimneys costing you a fortune
Why chimney maintenance is more important than you might think
Chimney maintenance is necessary to safeguard your life and property from avoidable serious hazards that most property owners never anticipate.
Here’s the shocking reality: The vast majority of chimney fires have no one to report them to in the fire department. As a matter of fact, you might already have a slow-burning chimney fire occurring right now. This may be taking place undetected in your chimney walls as it inflicts harm to the structure of the chimney without your knowledge.
Neglecting chimney maintenance is exactly the same as playing Russian roulette with your property. The statistics don’t lie: 6% of all residential structure fires start from chimneys, and the majority of these are easily avoidable.
Fire incidents in your home is the least of your worries: Carbon monoxide poisoning is even more probable.
Please take a few minutes to consider the fact that, your chimney is exposed to the following situations every time you light a firewood:
- Extreme heat
- Toxic combustion gases
- Corrosive byproducts
And all these byproducts are released into your chimney. If chimney maintenance is neglected, creosote gathers and is like a time bomb waiting to explode.
The top 7 serious warning signs of chimney cleaning
Do you want to find out if your chimney is screaming for help? Here are the tell-tale signs that your chimney needs expert chimney maintenance solutions now!
1. Smoke coming into the home
If this alarm goes off in your head, all the other alarms will also go off.
Smoke is coming into the living room instead of being sucked up and out of the chimney. The moment you notice this, you have a serious problem. It’s not just irritating – it’s dangerous.
Smoke getting into the house means that other poisonous gases like carbon monoxide could also be entering the building. It is a case of emergency that requires urgent professional help.
2. Pungent campfire odors when not burning
Are you able to smell a pungent, acrid campfire odor when your fireplace isn’t even lit?
Your chimney is alerting you to the presence of a dangerous build-up of creosote within. Creosote is that black, sticky tar-like substance that results from wood being burned.
Creosote is not just smelly – it’s also highly combustible. A tiny spark is all it takes to start this build-up and set off a chimney fire that can eventually spread all over the home.
3. Difficulty in starting fires or maintaining fires
Are the fires that you are starting at your fireplace to quickly die out or are you not able to get them to start well at all?
This is the typical sign that your chimney is no longer delivering the required air. Fire needs oxygen, and when your chimney is not clean and is blocked, it cannot supply what the fire requires.
It’s not just poor fire performance when you have no air coming through. You are also increasing the risk of fire and the chances of creosote build-up.
4. Visible creosote or soot buildup
Grab a flashlight and peek inside the fireplace
Do you notice dark, shiny deposits on the sides? These are sure signs of a dangerous build-up of creosote.
Just a few small bits of creosote can quickly ignite, producing uncontrollable chimney fires. If you are able to see the creosote in the fireplace with your bare eyes, then you are far behind when it comes to chimney cleaning.
5. Animals or birds in the chimney
Have you heard scratching, chirping or rustling sounds coming from your chimney?
Birds and small animals love the chimney since it offers them warmth and protection. However, their presence in the chimney creates serious safety issues including:
- Blocked chimney ventilation
- Blocked chimney vent
- Increase the risk of a chimney and house fire
Please never try to smoke out animals from the chimney since this will only flood your home with toxic gases.
6. White staining on the exterior chimney
Do you notice white chalky stains on the exterior of your chimney?
This is known as efflorescence, and it’s a clear indication that water is penetrating through your chimney’s structure. Water damages cause broken masonry, corroded dampers and expensive structural repairs.
7. Rust on the damper or inside of the firebox
Are you able to notice some rust on the damper or even inside the firebox?
Rust is an indication of moisture problems which can quickly turn into a major safety issue. If water is able to get to the damper then it has also reached other vital components.
When do chimney sweep services become necessary?
Please don’t wait until there’s a chimney fire before you seek help.
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, it is recommended that all chimney systems be inspected annually. But when you see any of the warning signals stated above, you need help from a professional.
Professional chimney sweeps have specialized equipment to help them clear away the dangerous build-up of creosote as well as inspect your whole system for any hidden damage or safety issues.
The costs of ignoring these serious warning signs
Are you thinking that chimney maintenance is so costly?
Try spending your money on a house fire or even carbon monoxide poisoning. The average cost of chimney cleaning is between $200-350, but fire damage can burn down your entire home.
Please consider the following real costs:
- Chimney fire repairs: $3,000-15,000
- Chimney rebuild: $10,000-30,000
- House fire damages: $50,000-500,000+
- Smoke inhalation health costs: Priceless
Chimney maintenance is not an expense but an insurance cover against total loss.
Do something now before it’s too late
The health of your chimney has a direct effect on the safety of your family.
Don’t play the odds with the warning signs, nor should you put off maintenance to next year. Chimney issues get worse as time goes by; they never improve.
Book your inspection and cleaning today, especially if you have noticed any of the danger signals stated above. Professional chimney services have the skills and equipment to identify the problems that you cannot see and solve issues before they eventually turn into emergencies.
Remember this: Clean chimneys don’t catch fire. Dirty chimneys do!
Time for action
Warning signals should not be taken for granted, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Your chimney is either working safely or it’s working against you.
Every single day that you delay chimney maintenance, the chances of creosote ignition, carbon monoxide poisoning and structural damage increase. They are not just scare tactics – they’re facts that have been documented to happen to many thousands of families each year.
Please take charge of your home safety today. Call in a professional and qualified chimney expert who can carry out an evaluation of your system and supply the cleaning and maintenance it deserves.
The safety of your family is more valuable than any maintenance cost and peace of mind is priceless.
