Your Chimney Might Be Making You Sick
Are your eyes watery and itchy? Do you cough too much? It could be an allergy flareup, or it could be your chimney. That’s right, your chimney may be causing your health problems, and this post shows you how.
Creosote Buildup
When people mention a dirty chimney, they typically mean creosote buildup. Creosote results from burning fossil fuels like wood. Most fireplaces don’t burn wood efficiently, resulting in incomplete combustion. If the oils in the wood aren’t completely burned, they combine with the smoke and condense with water in the flue. Over this creosote residue builds along the flue walls, causing numerous issues and creating a fire hazard.
Beyond fire, however, creosote exposure can lead to irritated skin, lesions, rashes, eye irritation, and respiratory issues.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can cause illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “approximately 50,000 people in the U.S. visit the emergency department each year due to accidental CO poisoning.”
A blocked chimney is the number one cause of CO poisoning, so it’s essential to schedule annual cleaning by a trained professional and invest in a chimney cap.
Common causes of blocked chimneys include,
- Leaves
- Bird and animal nests
- Spider webs
- Creosote
- Branches
The good news is that most instances of CO poisoning are preventable if people take precautions like installing CO detectors and hiring a professional chimney sweep for regular cleaning.
Fire
Lastly, the most deadly consequence of a dirty chimney is a fire. The Chimneys Safety Institute of America says a dirty chimney causes most fires. And when they say dirty, they mean creosote. Besides causing health issues, creosote is highly flammable, and it doesn’t take much buildup (about 1/8”) to become dangerous.
Like carbon monoxide poisoning, most chimney fires are preventable with routine cleaning and maintenance by a certified professional.
Benefits of Routine Chimney Cleaning
As we mentioned, most chimney problems are easily avoidable if you keep your chimney clean. Experts recommend annual cleaning and inspection by professionals, and here’s why.
Safety
The most important thing is your family’s safety, and the best way to protect them and your home from a chimney fire is with annual cleaning. Getting a yearly chimney inspection can allow you to detect and repair minor problems before they escalate into costly repairs or dangerous situations.
Efficiency
Creosote and soot buildup in the chimney restricts airflow and reduces your fireplace’s efficiency. If you have a wood stove, the soot, and creosote can become like insulation and limit the heat you get in the house.
Odor Reduction
A dirty chimney can produce foul odors, especially during spring’s wet weather. After it rains, you may notice a musty, moldy, or ashy smell in the living room, and your chimney is likely the culprit.
Prevent Smoke
Another result of a dirty chimney is airflow restriction, causing smoke to flow back into the house.
Call the Pros at Fire N’ Stone
When you need professional chimney sweeping services you can trust, call us. Our team is made up of highly trained, fully insured, and certified technicians that use the highest quality components and products to complete every job. Whether you need chimney cleaning and inspection, repairs, chimney rebuilding, stove or fireplace installation, or custom stonework, we’re the local experts you can count on in Tilton, NY. Get in touch today at 603-293-4040 or visit our 3,400 square-foot showroom at 538 Laconia Rd.