November is here and it won’t be long until you’ll be smelling that turkey cooking and tasting that pumpkin pie. After a long, happy day of cooking, cleaning up, and visiting with relatives, there’s nothing like sitting down and relaxing in front of a crackling fire. But before that can happen, it’s important to give Chimney Doctors of Colorado a call to get that chimney cleaned. Is it really that important, you might be asking? Read on to see why the answer is yes.
What Happens When Your Chimney is Dirty
Natural fibers in the wood release gases through the smoke and into the chimney. As it gets higher up in the chimney, it hits that cooler surface near the top and condenses. The material that condenses is a thick, brown mass or a black, shiny material that is extremely flammable – creosote. Creosote builds up thicker and thicker through the course of a fire burning season, and any buildup over 1/8 inch is considered dangerous by the Chimney Safety Institute of America. There are some things that you can do to prevent creosote buildup, however. For one thing, the type of wood you use can cause more or less creosote buildup. Softwoods tend to cause a higher level of creosote to build up more quickly, but the type of wood isn’t the only thing to think about. How you burn that wood can also contribute to the amount of creosote buildup. The hotter the fire burns, the less creosote buildup.
Blockages
Another thing that your chimney sweep will be looking for is blockages. Over the course of the summer, animals or birds may try to build nests in your chimney in order to raise their families in a safe place. After the families move out, the nest remains behind, getting dryer and dryer. If one stray spark hits that dry nest, you could be facing a chimney fire. Paper, debris, or dried leaves can also float into your chimney, creating a fire hazard. Qualified chimney sweeps like those at Chimney Doctors of Colorado clear your chimney of blockages and clean out creosote buildup.
Schedule an Inspection and Cleaning
The most important thing you can do to keep your family and home safe is to call Chimney Doctors of Colorado today so that you can get an inspection and cleaning scheduled as soon as possible. Remember, soon it will be time to gather your friends and family around, enjoy food and fun, and relax in front of a crackling fire. Make sure that you can enjoy this time comfortably and worry free, knowing that you’ve hired the best in the business to clean your chimney.