If your home has a fireplace, you may enjoy using it during the wintertime and on chilly nights in the fall and spring. After you are finished and the fire has died down completely, you may be diligent about clearing out the ashes and burnt wood left behind.

However, you also need to pay attention to the cleanliness inside the chimney as well, and to do that, you need to have a professional chimney sweep take care of it. Below are a couple of reasons why it is vital to schedule regular professional cleanings for your home's chimney, especially if you use it often.

1. Prevents the Backup of Smoke That Leads to Poor Air Quality in Your House

One reason why it is important to have a professional clean out your home's chimney is that it helps to prevent the backup of smoke. If soot, creosote, and other debris build up along the sides, it can interfere with the chimney's draft and flue, which can cause a blockage.

When the smoke hits the blockage, it will backdraft into your home, which will greatly decrease the air quality and put you at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. By having the chimney cleaned on a regular schedule, you can help prevent these issues from happening.

2. Removes Built-up Byproducts and Animal Nests That Increase the Risk of Fire

Another reason it is imperative that you have your home's chimney cleaned regularly when you use it often is that it removes materials that can greatly increase the risk of fire. When the fire burns, soot and creosote will stick to the sides, which can attract other debris such as leaves and small twigs.

Because of the warmth from the fireplace and the seclusion the chimney offers, you may also have birds and small rodents build nests inside. Since all of these materials create a fire hazard, you need to have a chimney sweep clear them out based on their recommended schedule.

When you use your home's fireplace frequently, you need to make sure that you schedule regular cleanings for the chimney to remove the built-up soot and creosote as well as any animal nests that may have been built inside. This not only helps to improve the air quality of your house by preventing the backup of smoke but also helps reduce the risk of fire. If it has been a while or you have never had it done, contact a business that offers chimney cleaning in your area to speak to someone about scheduling an appointment. 

Share