There’s nothing like being able to curl up in front of the fireplace. With a fireplace comes the responsibility of maintaining your chimney. If you’re not sure when it’s time for professional chimney cleaning, read on for more insight.
1. Soot Buildup
After you’ve enjoyed your fireplace, soot and ash can build up over time. According to Bob Vila, there are more than 25,000 chimney fires per year in the United States. People may think chimney fires can only occur when you have a fire going in the fireplace itself. However, soot and gases can build up and cause a fire on their own.
2. Weird Smells
Are you noticing weird smells coming from your chimney? It’s no secret that animals will sometimes nest in a chimney, and that may be what you’re experiencing. You may have a bird nest or rodents living up in there. When these animals climb into your chimney to nest, they’ll of course leave behind waste matter, so you may end up smelling droppings or rotting food in the nest.
3. Noises
Do you also hear weird noises? Those noises can also come from a vermin infestation. However, those noises may also come from cracks in the chimney itself. Your chimney is susceptible to damage over time, especially if you haven’t had regular masonry updates. Play it safe by having professional chimney cleaning services check to see for what may be making noise and cleaning it out.
4. Smoke Backup
Has your time sitting around the fireplace become less enjoyable due to a buildup of smoke? Unfortunately, smoke may be building up excessively because of a chimney blockage. That’s a major safety hazard for a number of reasons. The point of the chimney is for smoke exhaust to leave outside the home whenever you use the fireplace. If something is blocking the inside of the chimney, then that’s something that can possibly combust. It also makes the air quality in your home decrease.
As you can see, there are a number of reasons to do regular chimney cleaning. Make sure you keep your chimney as safe and clean as you would any other part of your home. If you notice any of the above signs, hire a contractor you can trust to protect your chimney. Contact us today at Spring Hill Chimney Service for our services.