As autumn approaches, homeowners start looking forward to a cozy warm home with a toasty fire crackling in the fireplace. Before they bring in the wood and light that first fire, however, it’s a good idea to call for a Chimney Sweep in Topeka KS to clear away any substances that may be in the chimney and don’t belong there. A buildup of soot and creosote, from the previous season is a risk factor for chimney fires, as is any organic debris that might have blown in. Chimney caps normally keep birds and critters out, but it’s still possible for a bird to attempt nesting in a chimney. Chimney sweeps eliminate all these problems before they can cause bigger headaches.
A Chimney Sweep in Topeka KS is familiar with creosote, since homeowners who rarely have their chimneys cleaned may wind up with a great deal of this material on the interior chimney walls. They may first realize there’s a problem when they start smelling an unpleasant odor coming from above the fireplace. By then, the substance may have already caused some corrosion to the mortar or metal. This material ranges from brown to black in color, and the texture may be sticky like tar or crusty and flaky.
It’s difficult to prevent creosote residue altogether since the material is a natural byproduct of wood burning. However, a great deal of accumulation can be prevented by only burning wood that has been dry for at least six months and not allowing a fire to smolder for hours on end. In addition, burning hard wood instead of soft is best.
Nobody should try to remove creosote except an experienced chimney sweep in Topeka KS. A homeowner who attempts this may damage the chimney and will likely not do an effective job. The professionals have the training, skills and tools for this work. When they leave, the family is assured that starting a fire in the fireplace is safe.
An organization such as Energy Center Manhattan Pool can send a Chimney Sweep to a house before the heating season begins and have all the troublesome materials cleared away. Now, everyone can enjoy the orange and red flames burning wood logs and helping the room to feel extra cozy while the weather outside is unpleasant.
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