How To Know If Your Chimney Has A Potential Danger

Did you know that an unclean chimney can pose a safety risk to your family? Data shows that dirty chimneys are responsible for approximately 25,000 fire accidents every year. An unclean chimney can also increase the risk of respiratory disorders in your household. And, some cases also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be deadly. This is why regular chimney cleaning is absolutely necessary.

How To Know If Your Chimney Has Accumulated A Potential Danger

Chimneys are an important component of any home that has a fireplace or wood-burning stove. They are designed to vent smoke, gases, and other byproducts of combustion safely outside, ensuring that the indoor air quality remains healthy. However, over time, chimneys can accumulate a potential danger in the form of creosote buildup, debris, and blockages, which can pose a risk to your health and safety. As a homeowner, it’s crucial to know how to recognize the warning signs of a dangerous chimney, so you can take the necessary steps to address the problem before it’s too late. In this article, we’ll discuss how to know if your chimney has accumulated a potential danger and what you can do about it.

Efflorescence

If you notice a white-colored residue or stain on the bricks, it is a sign that your chimney is trapping moisture. The trapped moisture dissolves the salts in the brickwork. That results in the formation of a white-colored residue or stain, which is commonly referred to as efflorescence.

The presence of moisture means a thorough chimney sweeping is in order. Otherwise, it can lead to the growth of mold, which can affect your indoor air quality and cause health problems.

Damaged Crown

If the top of your chimney – commonly referred to as the crown – is visibly cracked or damaged, you need to schedule a chimney inspection, as you need to find out whether the damage has led to the buildup of moisture and other problems in the chimney.

Creosote

If you notice a buildup of creosote (a black or dark-brown colored residue that is formed as a result of wood combustion) along the inner walls of your chimney, you need to call a chimney cleaning service right away. The buildup of creosote is the single biggest factor that can lead to a chimney fire. It is a sign that your chimney needs your immediate attention.

Damaged Flue Liner

The flue liner plays a key role in keeping your chimney safe and functional. It protects your home from heat and directs smoke and other fumes out of your home. Since it is subjected to extreme heat regularly, it can crack over time. If and when it does, it can cause serious problems.

Firstly, a cracked or damaged flue liner can cause smoke and harmful fumes to enter your home. This can result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Secondly, with a damaged flue liner, the combustible materials near the chimney are at risk of catching fire. That is because the flue can no longer protect the interior of your home from heat.

It should be noted that damage to the flue liner can be hard to detect for an untrained person. This is why you should schedule a chimney repair at least once a year so that such problems can be detected and fixed before they can pose a risk to the safety and well-being of your family.

Choose the Right Chimney Cleaning Service for the Safety of Your Home

United Home Services has a team of highly trained and skilled technicians who can install, inspect, repair, and replacement making different types of chimney services. All our technicians have National Chimney Sweep Guild (NSCG) certification and are capable of handling all your chimney problems.

If you have more questions about chimney cleaning or if you need to clean or repair your chimney, call us today at 844-415-1543 or contact us online and schedule a free inspection.