Chimney maintenance experts agree you should clean your chimney at least once a year. Many homeowners believe they can save money by cleaning their chimneys alone, but this can be dangerous for those not properly trained. While it can be tempting to go for DIY chimney cleaning to save money, cleaning your chimney yourself can have dire consequences. While keeping your fireplace clean between professional cleanings should be standard practice, here are four reasons to avoid DIY chimney cleaning
Slips and Falls
DIY chimney cleaning requires homeowners to climb on their roofs and clean the interior and exterior of their chimneys. Most homeowners lack the experience to cling to their roofs while cleaning the chimney. So, trips, slips, and falls are common during DIY chimney cleaning.
This can result in severe injuries, emphasizing the importance of avoiding DIY chimney cleaning. Professional chimney sweeps have the training, equipment, and experience necessary to keep themselves safe while they climb the roof and clean the dangerous soot and creosote buildup.
Removing Creosote is Difficult
Creosote is a byproduct of wood combustion that sticks to the inner walls of your chimney. Even though creosote looks like tar, it’s harder and heavier, making it highly challenging for homeowners to get it off the walls.
At first glance, you might think that missed patches of creosote might not be a huge deal, but that’s not true. Even the slightest creosote can be a fire hazard. So, it’s essential to avoid DIY cleaning and hire professionals to remove the entire creosote buildup.
Soot and Debris Can Enter Your House
Cleaning your chimney and fireplace can be a messy job. Dirt, dust, soot, tar, and debris can get all over your floor and carpet. Also, soot and dirt can blow around your house, landing on your furniture.
Soot is a nuisance to clean later, so you need to avoid cleaning your chimney in the first place. Instead, hire professional chimney sweeps that use special techniques to prevent soot and debris from getting inside your house.
You Don’t Have the Proper Tools
Modern chimney cleaning professionals use various equipment to clean your chimney, safeguard your house, and protect themselves. These instruments include specialized creosote brushes, uncommon chemical cleansers, and cameras that peer far down the chimney to scan for accumulation. Although you could buy this equipment, hiring a professional is more cost-effective.
Call the Experts at Champion Chimneys for Chimney Sweeping Today!
Champion Chimneys, Inc. is a fully licensed, bonded, and insured chimney service company that has been serving customers in Baltimore County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County, Maryland since 2001. Our team is trained and certified by Certified Chimney Professionals, Inc. (CCP, Inc.). Courteous service is our trademark, and our crews arrive on time in uniform, driving fully equipped trucks. We specialize in all aspects of your chimney system. Whether you need chimney and flue cleaning service or a full chimney rebuild or inspection, contact us at 443-Chimney today and let us fix all your chimney problems. Also, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.