If you use a wood burning fireplace, you should read this article to know when and how to clean your chimney.
If you have a wood burning chimney then it is important to work with the right chimney service in Westfield New Jersey (NJ) to ensure your chimney is serviced properly. Regular maintenance and cleaning of your chimney will prevent dangerous creosote fires. Here is what you need to know before you clean your chimney.
Required tools
You will need a dust mask, a drop cloth, a flashlight, long handled brush, fuel liner brush, noodle brush, safety harness, and shop vacuum. You will also need a poly sheeting and a duct tape.
Introduction to fireplace chimney maintenance
If you use your woodstove or fireplace regularly but you cannot remember the last time you cleaned your chimney, it is probably overdue. You can clean your chimney and save some money if you are removing ordinary soot but if you have heavy buildup of creosote then you will need to call a professional to do the job for you. We will show you some ways on how to inspect your chimney to see if you can clean it yourself or if you need to call a professional.
How to know whether it is a DIY project?
You can clean the buildup of creosote from all parts of your chimney. Most fires start in the smoke shelf area or the smoke chamber so it is very important to clean those areas. Since the area is hard to reach in most fireplaces, you should check your fireplace to see if you can reach into it and have room to maneuver your brash. If you cannot reach those areas then your project requires professional chimney service near you in NJ.
Next you should see if you can access the crown of your chimney. If you have a steep roof pitch or if you are not comfortable working on the roof then you should call a professional to do it for you. If you can work at heights then it is important to use height safety equipment for the project.
Avoid chimney fires
The buildup of creosote may not look as dangerous as it is. However, once it starts burning, it will grow bigger and dangerous in less than a few minutes. It can engulf the whole chimney and even destroy your home.
You should still call a professional to inspect your chimney once a year even if you clean it regularly. Certified professionals are trained to recognize venting problems and chimney deterioration and can assess the condition of your chimney.
If you burn green wood then your chimney should be inspected and cleaned after every fifty burns. If you notice moisture bubbling out the ends of the logs when they are burning then that is a clear indication that the wood is wet.
Green wood does not burn cleanly and it will send a lot of unburned pieces up the chimney where they build up as soot and creosote. This means that professional chimney service Westfield NJ will help you inspect the chimney from time to time to ensure that your chimney does not cause future problems.
