Summer is not the time you usually spend considering your chimney, but it’s the perfect time to give it a good cleaning.
Summer is not the time you usually spend considering your chimney, but it’s the perfect time to give it a good cleaning. A dirty chimney can lead to a variety of problems including a sooty, smoky interior and dangerous chimney fires. The end of summer is the perfect time to give your chimney some extra care, not only will it not be in use, but if any birds have snuck in and nested most of their young will have hatched and flown away.
Why is Chimney Cleaning Important
When wood burns it creates an oily, black substance known as creosote, this can condense on the inside of the chimney and builds up until it is removed by cleaning. Additionally, any leaves or twigs that get blown in from above, or birds nest can all add up and eventually catch fire. Chimney fires are exceedingly dangerous as they are hard to put out, firefighters will have to shoot water down the chimney from above which can result in flooding and water damage on top of the fire.
When To Clean
Chimneys should be cleaned in late summer or early fall before you want to use it for the first time of the season. You may need to clean your chimney more frequently if you notice soot or creosote falling down during a fire, buildup of creosote, or if you use your fireplace frequently or use artificial or green, unseasoned firewood.
How To Clean
While it’s possible to clean it yourself, hiring a chimney sweep is often easiest as they will have the proper equipment and know-how to do the job quickly and cleanly. Should you choose to employ a sweep, doing so in summer will ensure a quicker turn-around as it will be before the busy season begins. Summer is also when your roof will be dry and safest thanks to mild, consistent weather.
Call Jim Amos Contracting for All Your Home Improvement Needs
Need more help caring for your front door? Jim Amos Contracting has been serving the Anne Arundel County area for over 45 years. We apply our years of experience and expertise to every single job we do. We provide almost any home improvement service you can think of, from handyman services to complex home additions. Our business was built on our many return customers and their referrals, so we strive for 100% customer satisfaction. We will get every job done right the first time, on time and on budget. Give us a call at (410)-349-1700 or contact us through our website today. Jim Amos Contracting is looking forward to the chance to become your new favorite contractor!
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