Regular Trenton chimney inspections are essential to keep your chimney functioning the way it should. It is the best way to boost efficiency and reduce the risk of a deadly house fire. This begs the question: How can you know when it’s time for a Trenton chimney inspection? Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all answer. However, understanding how often you should sweep your chimney is important to keep your fireplace in top condition. Below we will be taking a look at the importance of regular Trenton chimney inspections.
Trenton Chimney Inspections | Why is Chimney Cleaning Important?
Chimney cleaning helps to remove buildup of ash, soot, dust and debris from inside your chimney, and most importantly helps remove creosote. Creosote builds up on the inside of chimneys and flues when wood fuel is burned. The less efficiently wood is burned, the more quickly creosote builds up. This makes it difficult to determine when a fireplace needs cleaning based on usage alone. One fire where the wood is burned inefficiently may contribute much more creosote than many fires where the wood is burned properly. Creosote is highly flammable and can trigger a chimney fire if left to build up to more than 1/4 inch. Regular cleaning helps to remove buildup such as creosote and keep your chimney safe from fires.
Trenton Chimney Inspections | How Often Should You Clean Your Chimney?
Because the degree of creosote buildup can vary depending on how wood is burned, it can be tricky to work out just how often you should have your fireplace cleaned. Ideally, it’s best to ask a chimney professional to provide a chimney inspection to gauge the level of creosote buildup and determine whether a clean is necessary. Otherwise, as a rule of thumb the National Fire Prevention Association and the Chimney Safety Institute of America both recommend a chimney should be cleaned and inspected for structural soundness and integrity at least once a year.
Trenton Chimney Inspections | If I Haven’t Used My Fireplace Much, Can I Avoid Cleaning It?
Because creosote buildup can occur after relatively few fires where wood has burned incompletely, using your fireplace rarely isn’t necessarily a good reason to avoid cleaning it. Fireplaces can also deteriorate structurally due to water or impact damage and become clogged with debris or even pests, so it’s best to schedule chimney inspection and cleaning at least once a year at the minimum.
Trenton Chimney Inspections | Should My Chimney Be Cleaned More Frequently?
If you know that your fireplace is used often and your fireplace burns wood inefficiently, you may need to have your chimney cleaned more often. Chimney cleanings should be aligned with creosote buildup, so in chimneys where creosote buildup is happening more rapidly, cleanings should be more regular. This can also be the case where certain types of wood are burned, such as pine, which naturally releases more creosote. If you use your fireplace very frequently, or are aware that your fireplace is burning fuel inefficiently, it is advisable to consult with your local chimney expert about how often your chimney sweeps should be.
Looking For the Best in Trenton Chimney Inspections?
If you are looking for a reliable chimney sweeps company to handle your yearly Trenton chimney inspections,Contact St John Chimney Sweep today! For almost 30 years, St John has been the most trust chimney sweeps company in the Mercer County area. From inspections and sweeps, to repairs and installations, St John is the one-stop chimney and fireplace solution for you! If you would like more information about the services provided by St John, you can contact them today at (609) 737-0133 or visit the website:
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