4 Risks You Avoid With Residential Chimney Cleaning

Posted on: 13 August 2021

Does your living room smell slightly smoky? A dirty chimney would be the most likely explanation. When soot and creosote accumulate in the chimney, some of the particles will float back into your living room, lowering indoor air quality. Besides poor air quality, creosote accumulation is also a fire hazard. An annual residential chimney cleaning helps keep your family safe in several ways:

1. Reduce Health Risks 

Soot and creosote particles pose a fire hazard to the entire family. The risks are higher when there are elderly people and young children in the house. Creosote and soot particles floating in the air cause respiratory problems, including aggravated asthma attacks. Prolonged exposure to polluted indoor air can trigger cancerous growth. They also cause nose and eye irritation.

Residential chimney cleaning services clear your chimney of all accumulated soot, and creosote reduces indoor pollution. Besides reducing the risk of respiratory and eye allergies, it makes indoor air fresh again. 

2. Reduce the Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 

The chimney flue gets assorted obstructions. There are leaves, tree branches, bird nests, and sometimes small rodents. A lot of obstruction in the chimney impedes airflow. Instead of air flowing upwards and out of the house, it backs into the living room. The problem is that the air backing into the house is loaded with carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas because it is colorless and heavier than air. It settles in the house and endangers everyone. It causes unconsciousness and death if one is exposed to large amounts. Residential chimney cleaning keeps your family safe.

3. Reduce Fire Risks 

Creosote is a byproduct of fuel combustion. If a chimney goes for long, creosote forms layers that appear black and tarry. It is a flammable material, and the cause of many chimney fires every year, with loss of property and sometimes lives. Fire sparks can also light up dry debris in the chimney, like twigs in bird nests. 

Annual residential chimney cleaning clears all these flammable materials. It can make the difference between life and death.  

4. Reduce Indoor Dirt 

Soot particles in the air eventually settle on the surfaces in the house. You will see your upholstery start to turn dull. The walls near the chimney also develop a darkish coloring. It can make the items in your living room unsightly. Clearing accumulated soot ensures your indoor spaces remain clean. 

Do you suspect your chimney is lowering indoor air comfort? Then, book an appointment with a residential cleaning service for annual chimney cleaning. 

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