Make Your Fireplace a Hot Summer Topic
by Jessica Groach-Santina
Home Improvement Ideas Columnist
According to the United States Fire Administration, 35% of all household fires are from indoor fireplaces. Without regular chimney cleaning, the odds of a fire in your home go up drastically.
You're wearing shorts and grilling on your patio, why should you think about your fireplace this summer? Because now is exactly when you should think about it. Fireplaces need to be cleaned annually, and some insurance companies even recommend it four times a year. The best time for a chimney cleaning is when you're not using it--summer time.
The Importance of Chimney Cleaning
Regular chimney cleaning greatly affects your indoor air quality. Combustion heating from your fireplace produces several by-products, which include carbon monoxide. When build-up occurs, due to obstructions like bird nests or excess creosote (the thick black residue from smoke that lines your chimney flue), carbon dioxide can't properly be ventilated out of your house. Carbon dioxide causes approximately 200 deaths each year in the United States, and about 10,000 injuries, such as damage to the brain, heart, or other vital organs.
Chimney fires are also of great concern. Chimney fires can burn explosively, damaging or destroying structures, and even in some cases, injuring or killing people. Chimney fires occur when smoke exits your chimney, and condensation occurs due to its interaction with cold air. This creates creosote, which is highly combustible in large quantities. And because you can't see inside your chimney, chimney fires often happen with little or no warning.
Chimney Sweeps
Chimney sweeps are a lot less busy in the summer, making it the perfect time to schedule an appointment. Ask for references from others who have fireplaces, and check those names against the Better Business Bureau, to make sure your chimney cleaning is done by someone reputable. Make sure your sweep also carries valid business liability insurance. Your sweep can also recommend tools and practices for keeping your fireplace in good shape.
Don't put off chimney cleaning any longer. Make it summer's hot topic, and call a sweep today.
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About the Author
Jessica Groach-Santina is a freelance writer with a background in media and promotions. She also teaches first-year writing courses at the University of Nevada, Reno.
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