Spring Clean Your Chimney
Spring is the best time to take a closer look at your chimney – have it inspected, cleaned, and do some necessary repairs.
Should You Spring Clean Your Chimney?
Do you suspect that something is “not right” with your chimney or that you’re not using your appliance correctly? If you get the feeling that something is amiss, there’s a good chance that you’re right. And since a dirty, inefficient, or improperly functioning chimney and home heating system can lead to fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, or expensive water damage, we don’t suggest that you take your “funny feelings” lightly.
Though there are some pretty surefire signs that your chimney needs attention—such as water damage, crumbling masonry, rusted components, or a missing cap or damper—only one of Guaranteed Chimney Service’s C.S.I.A. certified sweeps will be able to tell you for sure whether a cleaning, repair, or other maintenance is required. Also, if you regularly use your chimney and haven’t had it cleaned in a year or more you can bet that it needs sweeping to remove all the built-up creosote, which is flammable.
Why Now?
Since it’s unlikely you’ll be lighting a fire anytime soon, you may be wondering why we suggest getting all your chimney’s ducks in a row now. Here’s why we suggest sweeping and tending to your chimney in spring:
- You’ll have the advantage of getting prepared early for the burning season ahead, so that come fall—which sets in suddenly in Central New York and Western Massachusetts—you won’t have to hesitate to light a fire on that first chilly day.
- You won’t have to worry about getting an appointment with one of our sweeps during the fall, which is by far our busiest season. The springtime is the best time to get a quick appointment with one of our technicians.
A springtime cleaning and inspection will put the kibosh on fireplace odors that tend to become especially problematic during the summer months. In case you didn’t know, your fireplace should have little to no odor. If your fireplace is giving off a musty or campfire-like odor in your living space, it likely needs a good cleaning or other maintenance. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, “The smell is due to creosote deposits in the chimney, a natural byproduct of woodburning. The odor is usually worse in the summer when the humidity is high and the air conditioner is turned on.”
Have questions about your chimney? Guaranteed Chimney Service has answers. To schedule an inspection or cleaning, contact us today.