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Keeping your chimney in a perfect condition ensures that you do not face chimney related issues. It’s important to take care of your chimney, especially during harsh weather conditions. Ignoring annual maintenance impairs the chimney to work optimally and leads to harmful smoke, heated air and even a chimney fire.
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, the average cost of repairs done on US houses, which were caused by a chimney, were $96.9 million. Maintaining your chimney annually can help you save thousand of dollars you would otherwise spend by hiring companies like Barrier Roofers to repair your chimneys and roofs.
It is recommended to hire a professional every year to inspect your chimney for any problems and if there are any problems found, have them fixed by the professional right away. However, here are some tips that will help you to keep your chimney maintained.
Tip 1: You should keep your fireplace area clean and away from all kind of debris. It may be tempting to decorate your fireplace and enhance its appearance but it increases the risk as these decorative ornaments might catch fire.
Tip 2: If you don’t use a glass door for your fireplace, you should use a wire mesh screen.
Tip 3: Use seasoned and dry hardwood that has been split for six to eight months. Using “green” wood or pine wood would create more creosote that will harm you and your chimney.
Tip 4: Make sure that there are no tree branches near your chimney. Try to keep the trees at least 15 feet away to make sure they don’t catch fire in any way.
Tip 5: It is recommended to cap your chimney with a wire mesh along the sides, which would keep out rain, snow, birds and other creatures that might be lurking over your house.
Tip 6: Try to use the chimney as little as possible. This is because too much wood burn can crack your fireplace and lead to more buildup of creosote.
Tip 7: Install and maintain carbon monoxide and smoke detectors inside your house. Like other heating appliances, a chimney can also create large amounts of carbon monoxide gas which is an invisible, odorless assassin.
According to CSIA, 400 people die inhaling this toxic gas every year. It is recommended to replace the batteries of these detectors every season and test them on a regular basis. If they are more than 10 years old, consider replacing them.
It is necessary to have a professional check and sweep your chimney annually. This will keep your fireplace in good shape and will increases its longevity by great numbers.