You never want to experience a chimney fire. Thankfully, you don’t have to. A fire that starts in your chimney can spread quickly. At its very worst, a chimney fire could result in the destruction of your entire home, and even the loss of human life. Fortunately, there are steps you can take today to prevent such a tragedy. Chimney fires are, after all, preventable. With the weather getting colder, the urge to light the first fire of the year could strike any day. Keep in mind these tips to prevent chimney fires.
With the weather getting colder, the urge to light the first fire of the year could strike any day. Keep in mind these tips to prevent chimney fires.
Regular Inspections
The notion that you should schedule a professional chimney inspection is well-known among homeowners. This is for good reason. Simply put, scheduling at least one chimney inspection annually is the most effective step you can take to mitigate the risk of a chimney fire. Champion Chimneys offers a variety of different inspections that may be more suited to your needs. Experienced chimney professionals will be able to assess the condition of your chimney, as well as to advise whether or not sweeping is necessary. Chimney sweeping is essential because it eliminates the build-up of creosote, which is more often than not what causes a chimney fire.
Chimney Caps
Beyond inspections, another good step you can take to prevent chimney fires is to install a chimney cap. The main perk of a chimney cap, as opposed to a damper, is that they are effective at preventing wildlife from entering your chimney. Chimney swifts, a species of bird known to roost in chimneys, aren’t really the issue here. Far more concerning are other critters such as squirrels, which build large, combustible nests. Keep in mind: to a squirrel, your chimney is essentially just a large, hollowed-out tree. If you want to keep critters out of your chimney, caps are the solution.
Practice Fireplace Safety
Finally, make sure that you are using your best practices when it comes to lighting fires. If you have young children, definitely make sure to keep them away from your fireplace. In terms of what material is suitable for burning, you’re going to want to stick exclusively to seasoned hardwood, or fire logs explicitly approved by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Sticks and old newspaper make safe choices for kindling.
If you follow the above tips, you can reduce your chance of a chimney fire to almost nothing. We hope that you continue to stay safe as the weather gets cooler.
Call the Experts at Champion Chimneys for Chimney Repairs and 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.