Why Christmas Is the Perfect Time for a Chimney Inspection

If you are having a big family gathering at Christmas, there are a lot of things to do. Cleaning and cooking, hanging decorations, trimming the tree. But have you considered having your chimney cleaned? It’s not just because you don’t want Santa to get dirty on Christmas Eve; it’s also for your family’s safety. Read on to find out why Christmas is the perfect time for a chimney inspection.

Safety Should Be Your First Priority with Your Fireplace at Christmas

The Chimney Safety Institute of America suggests that you should have your chimney inspected and swept annually. Why? Because there are a number of things that could cause hazardous situations during the Christmas season. Let’s take a look at what they are.

Blockages

There are two possible outcomes if there is a blockage in your chimney when you try to burn a fire. There may not be a strong enough draft to start a fire, and if you do start a fire, the blockage may send the smoke and carbon monoxide back into your home, exposing your family and pets to toxic fumes. Having your chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional chimney sweep service will ensure that there are no blockages in your chimney to cause any issues. With this idea in mind, it is a great idea to install a smoke and carbon monoxide detector fifteen feet from your fireplace. If you already have them, then install fresh batteries so you can make sure your holiday gathering is a safe one.

Creosote

One of the most dangerous substances to any household is creosote. It is a sticky substance that adheres to the inside of your chimney every time you burn logs in your fireplace. If you don’t have a qualified chimney sweep service to inspect and clean your chimney, there is a possibility that you could have a chimney fire, not something that you want to occur with your loved ones gathered in your home to exchange gifts in front of your fireplace.

Leaks

While it’s not a safety issue, you must inspect your chimney for leaks. When leaks in your chimney, water can get into your firebox, making it nearly impossible to start a fire. You do not want to have this when your guests expect to burn the Yule Log. By having your chimney inspected, a chimney sweep service can detect any leaks and repair them to prevent water from getting into your firebox and from causing mold to grow in your chimney and in the walls and ceiling nearby.

Leaks, if left unattended, can also cause structural damage to your chimney. The brick and mortar will absorb water, and during freeze and thaw cycles, it will repeatedly cause their expansion and contraction, which makes them break down, eventually doing what is known as spalling. What is that? It’s when bricks and mortar deteriorate and will crumble or fall entirely out. You can see that spalling can quickly become a safety issue and can turn out to be costly to repair or rebuild.

A Final Thought

If you are going to have a Christmas gathering, you can understand why it’s the perfect time of year to have it done. You can rest easy knowing your family gathering on Christmas will be safe and memorable. 

Burlington Fireplace and Solar Can Get Your Chimney Ready for Christmas

If you want to make sure that your chimney is in great shape for Christmas, give us a call. If you live in the Burlington area and want to make sure that your chimney is in great shape for the holidays, get in contact right away.