The majority of homeowners with a wood-burning stove or fireplace understand the need for an annual chimney cleaning and inspection. On the contrary, many don’t realize that their gas heating appliances—be it a furnace, boiler or even a hot water heater—also rely on a chimney for proper venting of the exhaust.
When something is wrong with your chimney system, it can be both incredibly dangerous and incredibly frustrating. But rest assured, with Northeastern Masonry & Chimney on your side, your chimney system will be up and running again in no time.
Granted, gas-fueled appliances may not produce the soot that wood-burning appliances do; however they still produce some highly corrosive substances that can do real damage to a chimney. In many cases, these substances can wreak real havoc on your chimney without producing any external symptoms until the problem has gotten out of hand and has become dangerous and expensive to repair. We implore you to avoid this style of thinking.
When should I have my oil chimney cleaned?
The best time of year to have your oil chimney cleaned is in the spring, after the heating season has wrapped up. During the winter, your gas-fueled furnace is subjected to long running cycles that produce soot and other substances that can adhere to the sides of your chimney. The accumulation of these deposits will restrict the flow of flue gases (nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapor mostly). The combustion process also produces carbon monoxide (an extremely dangerous gas that needs to be vented properly), which can spill back into your home instead of going up the chimney when it hasn’t been properly cleaned.
Doesn’t the furnace service company handle my chimney maintenance?
A big misconception on the part of many homeowners is that the furnace service company takes care of the chimney. The company may shovel out the base of the chimney and/or brush out the connector pipes (if you’re lucky), but they won’t give the chimney a thorough cleaning. Most furnace technicians fail to mention anything about the chimney, leading homeowners to believe that everything is fine (which it may or may not be). This misconception can have dire consequences for your home and your family; your chimney could suffer irreparable damage.
Why are annual inspections and cleanings so important?
Annual inspection and cleaning by a CSIA-certified chimney sweep will help find problems before they get out of hand, as they’ll be able to offer advice and recommend measures to make your entire system function safely and efficiently. Gaskets could potentially wear out unbeknownst to you, thereby leading to poisonous (and deadly) carbon monoxide being dispersed into your home. A few dollars spent on corrective measures now could save thousands in expensive chimney repairs down the road.
Here at Northeastern Masonry & Chimney, we strive to provide the most reliable and professional chimney and fireplace services to our neighbors. With over 35 years of industry experience and continuous training and education, our CSIA-certified sweeps bring the best skills, tools and knowledge to each and every job. If you have any questions about our services or would like to schedule an appointment, please give us a call! We look forward to serving you and your family for years to come.