5 Benefits to Having Your Chimney Swept

5 Benefits to Having Your Chimney Swept

On the surface, chimney sweeping seems like an extremely specialized service that serves little to no purpose.  Counter to this, however, chimney sweeping actually offers various benefits for homes and commercial buildings equipped with chimneys.

To educate you on the benefits provided by chimney sweeping services we’ve prepared a neat little guide.  In addition, we’ve also included references for roof repair, roof washing, gutter cleaning, insulation specialists, asbestos removal, and other similar services.

The Benefits of Chimney Sweeping

The Benefits of Chimney Sweeping

Preventing Chimney Fires

The primary benefit to cleaning a chimney is one rooted in safety and that is the prevention of chimney fires.  In most cases, chimney fires can actually exceed temperatures of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit which is more than enough to break clay, crack tiles, and melt metal components.

This can lead to a severe loss of structural integrity which can further increase the likelihood of the fire spreading to other sections of a home.  The logic behind cleaning a chimney is that doing so gets rid of built-up soot and creosote which is a thick oily residue.

When ignited creosote can stay lit for an extremely long period of time thereby acting as an extreme safety hazard.

Preserving Your Chimney

Both soot and creosote are considerably acidic which makes them capable of breaking down metal components in your chimney.  As proof of this acidity, it wasn’t uncommon for doctors in the olden days to make lye by dripping water through collected ashes.

To preserve the integrity of your chimney and avoid a costly renovation, it’s important to have your chimney cleaned often.

Preventing Smoke Problems

In cases where the layers of creosote and soot have built up to a considerable degree, it isn’t uncommon for chimneys to produce smoke emanating from the fire pit.  This is due to the fact that the built-up residue in the flue actually restricts airflow.

Almost everyone is aware of the severe health risks presented by smoking and the situation for chimney smoke is no different.  To avoid smoke blowing back into your home from the chimney, it’s important to have your flue scraped and cleared of any residue.

Reducing Foul Odors

Going back to soot and creosote, both of these substances can produce particularly foul odors if left untreated.  When you pair this foul smell with the restricted airflow caused by residue build-up, the smell can be unbearable.

Scraping away this leftover residue can help eliminate the burning tar smell that is often caused by creosote and soot.

Increasing Heating Efficiency

Last but not least, having your chimney cleaned by a professional can improve the amount of heat that is circulated throughout your home.  This can help you save considerably on utility bills by optimizing the effectiveness of your chimney.

With these benefits in mind, we hope you’ll be able to find a proper reason for enlisting the help of a professional chimney sweeper.