Is Your Chimney Ready For The Holidays?

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

We specialize in fire and water damage restoration; it’s the cornerstone of our business. SERVPRO of Brunswick (912)-264-9064

It’s great to have a fireplace. A fireplace provides a wonderful ambience to any room, with the flames casting their red glow on every surface. It’s where people gather during colder weather and it lends warmth to all. They can make a holiday celebration even more perfect. The mantel is a great place for a nativity scene or woodland branches, and the perfect spot for Christmas cards, too.

But a fireplace can also be dangerous if not cared for properly. Animals can build nests during the warmer months, without the homeowner knowing and imagine what can happen then during the first fire of the season. A good cleaning before the colder weather arrives is important.

Here are some chimney cleaning tips that can lessen the chance of an unpleasant surprise.

First, do an inspection. If you have a steep roof, then this isn’t a DIY project, and you need to enlist the help of a professional. There are certified chimney sweeps throughout the country, including in the Brunswick area, and can help with this project.

During the inspection, you are looking for creosote buildup. It may not look like a big deal, but it ignites at only 451 degrees and expands from there, able to build to over 2,000 degrees. At that temperature, it can engulf your entire chimney and potentially destroy your home or cause some serious fire damage.

If you are in the habit of burning green wood, make sure you have your chimney cleaned or inspected every 50 burns or so. To know whether wood is green or not, look for moisture bubbling out from the cut ends of the log. Wet, green wood doesn’t burn cleanly and will send particles up your chimney, which in turn builds up as creosote and soot. Choose hardwoods such as oak or birch, which burn hotter and cleaner.

A professional cleaning would include an inspection for soot build-up and for an cracks or obstructions that could cause issues. Older chimneys can sometimes have gaps in the clay liner where mortar has fallen out, which causes water damage and can make your chimney unstable.

If you do find yourself in need of a chimney sweep, look for someone who is insured and properly certified in your area. They will ensure that you are safe from fire damage due to an unkempt fireplace and chimney.

The experts at SERVPRO of Brunswick have lots of experience in keeping the area surrounding your fireplace clean and are here to make it like it never happened if you do have fire damage in your home. We can also handle water damages and are experienced in mold prevention. Call us at (912)-264-9064 today.