4 Reasons to Get Your Chimney Swept

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It’s the middle of winter, so there’s every chance you’re looking forward to relaxing by your fire in your lounge, sinking down into the cosy comfort of your cushions and your throat with a book in one hand and a hot drink in the other. 

Except that you haven’t had your chimney checked this year, which means that you don’t know if you’re going to be breathing in clean air. Having a brand new fireplace upgraded by looking online for fireplaces near me is one thing, but you do need to get your actual chimney swept out if you have a fireplace.

To make sure that your fireplace is in safe and all good working order, you have to have your chimney inspected properly and then cleaned out. You may choose to schedule your inspection in the fall before you start using it in the colder weather, but you should also have it scheduled for the spring. It’s one of those jobs that only needs to be done twice a year, but it’s super important that you do it.Here are 5 reasons why.

Image source: Pexels

1. You protect yourself from a fire. The only time you should ever have a fire in your home is when you build one in your fireplace for you to listen to the crackling logs while you read your book. When wood is burning in your fireplace, creosote builds up as a result and this is a highly combustible material that can cause a chimney fire. When you clean your chimney regularly, you can remove that build up and keep everything clean and tidy.
2. You can get rid of any pests. Chimneys are the perfect place for animals to nest down during the winter months. Getting your chimney swept out properly and cleaned is a great way to get rid of any nests and pests up there. Birds and squirrels love a chimney and this can lead to a blockage and a foul odour as well as creating a fire hazard. The last thing that you want to do is smoke out any potential squirrels when you could. Be having a professional cleaner come in to remove the blockages and nests before an issue is created.
3. Extending your chimney’s life. With regular professional cleaning and the removal of creosote, soot and other toxic substances, you can keep your chimney alive for longer. Many people had their chimneys blocked up in the last 30 years and prefer to go with central heating rather than fireplace heating. But if your home has some original features and you want to keep the place as is, then you may need to make sure that you’re on top of the maintenance of the chimney itself.
4. It keeps your fireplace energy efficient. Soot, creosote and other residues being professionally removed can ensure that you have better airflow in the chimney. This improves and increases oxygen flow and it can make the whole thing more energy efficient. Now is the time to get that cleaning done so that you can rely on cheaper energy bills.