Last week we talked about ways of heating your home efficiently. Wood or coal fuelled fires may not be the cheapest way to heat your home but they do add ambience, and are great at heating a small area, quickly. What’s more, with increasing numbers of environmentally friendly fuel options, it is possible to enjoy an open fire or wood burner without a conscience.
If you have a wood burner or open fire it is vital that you get your chimney swept before you use it this year. Here’s why.
Home safety
The primary reason to maintain your chimney is to prevent chimney fires, which can wreak havoc on your home. It might seem counterintuitive, as chimneys are designed to withstand fire, but that's not entirely accurate. Chimneys are meant to channel fire fumes away from your home, but when the chimney itself catches fire, the results can be dramatic as well as dangerous. What makes them especially dangerous is that they burn slowly, for an extended period, and at extremely high temperatures. This means that you or your neighbours may not notice it until it's too late, by which time the intense heat from the chimney may have ignited other areas of the house.
Chimney fires are usually caused by the buildup of creosote, a natural byproduct of burning wood, on the chimney's interior. If you've ever used creosote to preserve wood, you know it has a tar-like consistency. When it accumulates, it can form a glossy layer inside the chimney, highly combustible and susceptible to ignition from a stray spark. Regular chimney sweeping, at least once a year, can prevent creosote buildup.
Smoke damage
Smoke damage can occur even without a full-blown house fire. If your chimney is left uncleaned, the smoke from your fire won't be properly drawn out of your home. It might be imperceptible at first, but eventually, it will manifest as soot deposits on your hearth and nearby furnishings. A layer of black soot is hardly an appealing feature, and it's far more convenient to have your chimney swept than to invest in professional cleaning for your entire home.
Your health
For individuals with health conditions such as asthma, COPD, or allergies, neglecting chimney maintenance could exacerbate their problems due to inhaling soot and smog from the fire. However, the more significant risk is carbon monoxide, a silent but deadly threat. As a natural byproduct of burning any material, carbon monoxide is typically directed away from your home through the flue. If your flue is obstructed, carbon monoxide can infiltrate your living space. It's odourless, invisible, and can be fatal. So, don't delay—schedule a visit from your local chimney sweep, and consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm in your home.
A savvy homeowner will book their chimney sweep a year in advance. If you have not done so already, check out our directory to find a chimney sweep near you. For more advice, stay connected with us on Facebook or X.