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Annual Chimney Sweeping Keeps Your Fireplace Safe and Your Family Protected
Tue 10 Feb 2009 - 10:20
Annual Chimney Sweeping Keeps Your Fireplace Safe and Your Family Protected
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Matt_Gallo]Matt Gallo
Cozying up to a crackling fire is one of the rituals of wintertime. From gathering around on Christmas morning to warming yourself on a chilly day, our fireplaces form a central part of our winter memories and daily life. Yet, what we rarely consider is that our fireplaces and chimneys can also be a danger to our homes and families! When creosote is allowed to accumulate in flues, dangerous chimney fires can result; however, protecting your family is as easy as an annual cleaning! Read on to learn more about the hazards of chimney fires and how to keep your home safe.
Dangers of Chimney Fires
A chimney fire occurs when built-up creosote ignites. Creosote is a byproduct of burning wood-made up of smoke, hydrocarbons, tar fog, and other substances-that can condense and accumulate inside your chimney. And, unfortunately, creosote is highly combustible. Chimney fires can be violent and loud, or they can be slow and smoldering. Both kinds of these fires burn at extremely high temperatures, so even though your flue and fireplace are designed to safely contain wood-fueled fires, creosote-fueled fires can cause serious damage. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) reports that these fires burn around 2,000°F and can "melt mortar, crack tiles, cause liners to collapse and damage the outer masonry material." This deterioration of the chimney's structure may create an opening that allows the fire to reach the combustible parts of your house: its wood framing, wallboard, and interior structure. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (USCPSC) August 2008 report, an estimated 24,500 house fires were caused by fireplace and chimney fires in 2005. Tragically, these fires were responsible for 20 deaths.
Chimney Sweeping
The good news is that chimney fires are preventable! Simply call your local chimney sweep for a cleaning. These professionals can inspect for structural damage, deterioration, or problems caused by an unnoticed chimney fire as well as clean creosote build up out of the flue, smoke chamber, and other areas. Most chimney sweeping companies also provide repair services, so if the inspection turns up any problems you can quickly and easily have them taken care of. Common repairs include installing or replacing the cap (which keeps water and animals out of your flue); replacing bricks; repairing mortar; and waterproofing (which helps prevent damage caused by the freezing and thawing cycle). All of these repairs are necessary for optimal function and will help keep your chimney in good working order. Remember, chimney sweeping is a job for professionals. Even experienced do-it-yourselfers should rely on the expertise of a chimney sweep: the inspection is almost as important as the cleaning, so it's crucial to have a pro-they know what to look for! And be sure that you hire a qualified sweeper. Not all states require licenses, so you may want to stick with CSIA certified professionals to guarantee experience, training, and quality. Homeowners should consider yearly cleanings mandatory, especially if they burn more than a cord of wood a year. The simple truth is that dirty chimneys cause chimney fires; if you keep your chimney clean with regular sweepings, you will more than likely never have a problem.
So to safely enjoy your fireplace this winter, contact a [http://fireplaceandchimneykc.com/site/services/service/Chimney-Sweep-Kansas-City-MO]chimney sweep. Cleanings are relatively inexpensive, only take a couple of hours, and can make the difference between a safe chimney and a ticking time-bomb.
Matt Gallo is a home improvement and repair hobbyist. He works as the Internet marketing manager for Prospect Genius, a leading provider of [http://www.prospectgenius.com/site/services]online, local advertising solutions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_Gallo http://EzineArticles.com/?Annual-Chimney-Sweeping-Keeps-Your-Fireplace-Safe-and-Your-Family-Protected&id=1909563
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