As many knows, investing in annual inspections is a vital step in maintaining the strength of your chimney and ensuring it has a long life. One reason why we stress the importance of these regular check-ups is to look for excess creosote. Locating and removing creosote is essential to chimney health and to the safety of your home and family.
Learn more below, then call on our experienced and certified team at Chimspector Venting Specialists to help you out!
What Is Creosote?
Creosote is a substance that accumulates in your chimney the more you use it. There’s no way to avoid it altogether, but acts like burning unseasoned wood, overloading the firebox, and restricting air flow all encourage it to form faster than normal, so there are things you can do to minimize buildup.
There are a few different forms that creosote can take. It can be light and flaky, sticky and tar-textured, or hard and glazed. Some types are harder to remove than others and require the use of special tools and equipment. Typically, the sooner creosote is addressed, the easier it will be to remove. No matter what type is present in your system, it’s very important to have it cleaned out regularly.
How Is It Dangerous?
So, it’s clear that creosote is harmful, but what type of damage can it cause exactly? The thing to remember about creosote is that it is highly flammable. This means that the more you have of it, the higher your chances are of experiencing a chimney fire. No matter what type of system you work with, chimney fires are extremely dangerous, and the excessive heat they bring can cause a lot of damage to your system.
The more damage you have, the more likely it is that smoke, flames, and harmful toxins can enter your home. This means the chances of experiencing a house fire or being exposed to carbon monoxide are heightened dramatically, and you and your loved ones could become seriously ill or injured.
Along with this, many who have experienced a chimney fire are unaware that one has actually occurred. This means they that continue using their fireplace, without realizing they could be putting their home and family at serious risk. This further emphasizes just how important those annual inspections really are!
We’re Qualified To Handle It All
No matter what type of care your chimney needs, we’re equipped and trained to handle it all. Our team is CSIA certified, and we can take care of any and all of your creosote removal needs. Call us in for your inspection today. With fall and the holidays coming up fast, you won’t want to put it off any longer.
