The title of the post might sound a touch scary. “How often do chimney fires happen? Should I even have a fireplace?” You don’t need to worry unnecessarily, since a fireplace in a home is no more dangerous than any other heating system you may have installed, such as a furnace or a boiler. If you take care of your chimney with regular sweeping and the necessary repairs, it will pose no serious danger to you, your family, or your home.
But accidents still happen, and poor chimney maintenance will make them more likely to happen. Here are the most common reasons for fires to start in chimneys. To prevent any of these from occurring in your home, rely on the professional services of 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc. for chimney cleaning in Saint Paul, MN.
Here Are Some Causes of Chimney Fires
There is one main cause of chimney fires, although there are many reasons for it to develop. The cause is creosote, and it is Enemy #1 for your chimney and fireplace. Creosote is the name for that shiny, tarry, flaky residue that will start to coat the masonry of your fireplace and chimney after burning wood. Creosote is basically unburned wood energy, the by-product of combustion, and it is highly combustible itself. If it starts to layer the bricks of your chimney too thickly, not only will it restrict the escape of flue gases, but it will pose the risk of igniting and causing fires that can reach the upper floors or roof of your house. The more creosote builds up, the longer it can sustain a fire. Creosote will build up because of poor venting in your chimney, or excess smoke from burning unseasoned wood.
To help prevent creosote build-up, make sure that your chimney is properly vented. Build smaller, hotter fires that will burn completely and produce less smoke that will encourage creosote. Make sure that the chimney receives regular cleaning—once a year is recommended.
Only rely on CSIA-certified chimney sweeps
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends that you call a chimney sweep with CSIA certification to handle cleaning because they are regularly tested on their understanding of the complexities of chimney and venting systems. At 2nd Generation Chimneys, Inc., all of our sweeps are CSIA certified, so you know that when you have your annual sweeping done, you will get the proper care that will keep creosote away and other dangers. You can enjoy your cozy fireplace all through the year without needing to worry about fires starting where they don’t belong. Contact us for your chimney cleaning in St. Paul, MN.