While the weather remains chilly, you still get to enjoy the cozy blaze of your wood stove and fireplace. When summer comes, you’ll be moving your fireside gatherings backyards, of course. Don’t forget to give your indoor fireplace some summertime love! This is the season to sweep your chimneys and wood stoves before getting into seasonal use again.
Let’s talk about how to get your chimney and wood stove ready in the summer for seasonal use.
Why is sweeping your chimney and inspecting your wood stove so important during the summer?
Sweeping your chimney and taking a careful look at your wood stove or fireplace during the summer in preparation for the colder seasons is important for several reasons. We know that it’s only April, but with our chimney sweeping specials coming this June, you’ll want to start thinking about it now. Avoid waiting in line in the fall and save money too!
The biggest reason you should sweep – prevent chimney fires
The biggest reason is safety. Sweeping your chimney removes any combustion residues from operating your stove in the low emission mode or low-burn. Over time, a chimney gets clogged with something called creosote – a tar-like substance that forms as a result of burning wood. This becomes very combustible and only a small amount can become flammable. Removing creosote build up is important as a preventive measure, as it protects your home from potential danger that may arise if there are highly combustible products left in the chimney.
By not sweeping, you’re running the risk of a chimney fire. No one wants this to happen, as it can be dangerous and expensive to repair if you even have a house left standing.
Keep in mind that chimney fires can spread very fast.
What about health problems?
Cleaning the chimney also reduces restrictions in the venting that could reduce the efficiency of your stove or, in the worst case, cause back-drafting of smoke into the house when you feed the fire. If your stove back-drafts, you are breathing in the fumes from the burning wood. This compromises your oxygen supply to the brain, which in the worst case scenario can be fatal. It can also cause nausea, dizziness, fainting, and headaches.
Prevents Smoke Damage
Another product of inefficient wood burning can be soot. Back-drafting of wood smoke into the room can leave black soot anywhere it goes. Walls, carpet, furniture. All could have permanent stains as a result of not cleaning your chimney.
Wood Stove Efficiency
When our certified chimney sweep cleans your chimney, he will also inspect the gaskets, lining and internal bits of your stove or fireplace and let you know if something needs to be replaced or repaired. If we don’t stock the necessary materials on our trucks, our service department will provide a prompt estimate of repair cost and material availability. When gaskets degrade, combustion air will come from around the glass or door, causing sooting on the glass and uncontrolled air to the combustion chamber, effectively reducing the efficiency of your wood appliance. Broken bricks, lining or other internal pieces of your appliance also impact the performance of your wood-burning stove or fireplace.
To find out more about chimney and wood stove sweeping, call now and ask! Reserve your appointment for peace and mind before seasonal use.
