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The Dangers of Creosote to the Home

Many homeowners are unfamiliar with the dangers of creosote, even if they are very familiar with the substance’s odor. Creosote is a combination of chemicals that is left behind in a chimney or fireplace after certain types of wood have been burned. If it is allowed to build up in the fireplace and chimney, it can cause serious damage and risks to the home.

Creosote - Ann Arbor MI - Clean Sweeps of MI

Image courtesy of Dennis Lamb of Mad Hatter Chimney in Indianapolis IN.

One of the most common issues that homeowners run into when it comes to creosote is the fact that it is highly flammable. Burning a simple fire in the fireplace may quickly get out of control if there is a significant accumulation of creosote. In the worst cases, this may lead to a house fire that destroys the entire structure of the home.

In addition to the danger listed above, there are also health issues about which a homeowner should be concerned. For instance, excessive exposure to creosote can cause digestive and respiratory problems. While this is an obvious concern for adults, parents having children with allergies or respiratory problems will want to be particularly aware because of increased danger to a young child’s developing organs.

Also, let’s not forget about the family pets. While our pets do not have the same exact digestive and respiratory systems as humans, they are close enough to be affected by these very same dangers. Keep in mind, too, that animals such as dogs and cats have a heightened sense of smell when compared to humans. If you see your pets acting funny around the fireplace, it could be a sign to have things checked out.

Creosote can cause serious damage to a home and it is not always easy to tell that it is there. Sometimes it is accompanied by an unpleasant smell but that is not always the case. To avoid significant damage, it is necessary to have regular fireplace inspections completed by a professional.

Sprucing up Your Chimney for Spring

Problems with chimneys only worsen with time, so the sooner you can correct them, the better. Sprucing up your chimney for spring should come as naturally as giving the whole house a thorough cleaning. That means sweeping the whole house, so do not forget about the chimney when it is time to freshen the air.

Spring Clean the Chimney - Ann Arbor MI - Clean Sweeps MI

More Than Just Fresh

The problem with waiting until fall for a good chimney cleaning is that your fires are no longer helping to keep it dry. That means the creosote deposits in it are getting damp, which means they are beginning to corrode the flue. Unlike your emerging flowers, creosote formation is something you want to nip in the bud.

Creosote also smells bad, so sprucing up your chimney is the only way to really achieve a fresh-smelling house. The point of so much expended energy for allergy sufferers and just house-proud owners, a spring cleaned house deserves an odor free chimney! Additionally, having the chimney inspected in spring gives homeowners time to attend to anything it needs.

Preparing for What’s Ahead

Migrating birds are just beginning to return, so a good strong chimney cap that they cannot lift off with their talons is important. Equally important is being sure it is capping a clean chimney already free of creosote, critters, nests, and debris. Similarly, before closing the damper to conserve energy when the fireplace is not in use, the flue should be clean and dry.

Water does more damage to chimneys than fire, so be sure you are keeping it out before you ‘close up’ the chimney. Chimney caps and crowns need to be in good condition and properly designed to send rain away from the flue and chase. Warm weather months are good ones for having professionals attend to tiny cracks in mortar around crowns and flashings. Spruce up your chimney along with the rest of the house in spring and this year, be prepared for what is coming.

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