We at Fresh Air know that there is just something special about cozying up in front of a fireplace during the long winter months. Aside from the functional purpose of heating, a lit fireplace instantly creates gorgeous ambiance that cannot be achieved by regular heating units. With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s likely that professional chimney cleaning might not be on the top of your to-do list.
However, an unclean chimney substantially raises the risk of fire, putting you and your loved ones in danger.
Southern California is known for pleasant and warm weather, so it’s not surprising that your fireplace may not be getting much use most of the year. Because of this, it’s likely that your chimney hasn’t had the recommended annual cleaning it needs to insure perfect ventilation and safety. Without a thorough cleaning, smoke can comes back down and fill your home with dangerous gases. A dirty chimney is clogged with burnt debris, soot, and creosote, a highly combustible substance that sticks to the inner walls.
Creosote buildup comes in many different forms for a variety of reasons. When fires are deprived of oxygen for a longer burn, for instance, there is more debris in the smoke. Keeping the glass doors shut while a fire burns or failing to open up the damper wide enough also encourages rapid growth of the combustible buildup.
It most commonly appears tar-like and sticky, but can also flake or harden. All forms of creosote can be spotted in the bottom of the chimney flue during a cursory inspection. However, it often times collects too high up in the chimney for clear visibility. This can unwittingly give you a false sense of safety when you light your next fire. Lit creosote can cause slow burning, undetected fires that permanently damage the structure of the chimney and can put your home at further risk for more severe, explosive fires.
These fires can be disastrous. Fire and smoke billow out the top of the chimney or back in and can catch onto other combustible parts of your home. It is definitely not a risk worth taking.
While it is in good practice to clear your own fireplace of cooled ash and debris after each use, it can be difficult and dangerous to attempt chimney cleaning without proper training or resources.
Our Fresh Air team is professionally trained, utilizing the best tools to insure thorough chimney cleaning. We work hard to dislodge all tough materials that have built up over time, brushing deep inside to get every nook and crevice. For best results, we mostly utilize a method that starts from the inside of the fireplace and up. We insure mess-free service by using vacuums with H.E.P.A. Filtration, keeping even the smallest particles of debris out of the air in your home.
We also offer services to repair fire damaged mortar and spark arrester installation as needed. Our Professional chimney cleaning prices are competitive and we will never toss in hidden costs.
Winter months in front of the fireplace should be carefree, cozy, and, most importantly, safe. If buildup is visible or you can’t quite remember the last time you’ve had professional chimney cleaning, give us a call. We at Fresh Air are more than happy to help keep your family safe this winter.
Professional Chimney Cleaning service for the San Diego and Temecula, California area.
