The Easiest Way to Prevent a Fire in Your Home

05 Jun The Easiest Way to Prevent a Fire in Your Home

We all want to ensure that are our homes are as safe as possible. Among other things, we lock our doors and windows, install fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and store any dangerous chemicals or cleaners out of the reach of our children. But there is one thing that homeowners often forget about and it can be a hazard to your home and family if you neglect it – your chimney!

Your chimney and the flue that lines it may add stylish décor to your home, but the true function of a chimney is to carry dangerous exhaust and gases from your fireplace, wood stove or furnace safely out of your home. A chimney helps to keep the air in your home, clean and breathable. In order to keep your chimney running safely and effectively – it needs special care. If you do not keep your chimney clean and well maintained, it can be very dangerous. It is a fact that dirty chimneys can cause chimney fires, which can damage structures, destroy homes and injure or kill people.

What Causes a Chimney Fire?

If you have a fireplace or a wood burning stove, your chimney works to expel the by-products of combustion – the substances produced when wood burns. These include smoke, water vapor, gases, unburned wood particles, hydrocarbon, tar fog and assorted minerals. As these substances exit the fireplace or wood stove and flow up into the chimney, a residue known as creosote sticks to the inner walls of the chimney. Creosote is highly combustible. If it builds up in sufficient quantities and the internal flue temperature is high enough, the unfortunate result could be a chimney fire. If you have a masonry fire place and chimney, over time and high temperatures the inside of the chimney may crack, melt and breakdown, creating a pathway for flames to reach the combustible wood frame of a house – thus starting a fire.

How Can I Prevent a Chimney Fire?

Luckily, chimney fires can be easily prevented if you have your chimney properly cleaned and maintained on a regular basis.   If you have trees that are covering or extremely close to the chimney, you may want to call a local tree service company as well.  The National Fire Protection Association recommends that you clean your chimney at least once a year or even more frequently if you have a fireplace or wood burning appliance that you use frequently. They also recommend that all chimneys, fireplaces and vents be inspected at least once a year.
Your chimney should be evaluated and cleaned at least once a year. You should hire a reputable and experienced chimney sweep to properly maintain your chimney to ensure the safety of your home and most importantly, your family. Pro-Tech Chimney Sweeps offer comprehensive chimney cleaning services that include high powered vacuuming of your entire system, removing hazardous or combustible creosote, eliminating any accumulation of soot from coal and oil systems and thorough fire prevention inspections and maintenance services.

Clean Chimneys Don’t Catch Fire!
A chimney that is properly maintained and cleaned regularly – will work safely, effectively and efficiently. Contact Protech Chimney Sweeps today at 631-806-8550 or 516-284-1295 to schedule a chimney cleaning service and ensure the safety of your home.