Spring is just around the corner and soon it will be time to give your fireplace some time off. It’s easy to forget about your chimney and fireplace in warmer months, however, now is a great time to transition from operating your chimney to maintaining it. Sometimes, it can be easy to forget that your fireplace and chimney need an annual sweeping, however annual sweepings and inspections are vital to your chimney’s health and they could also save your home from a potential fire hazard. That’s why we here at Northeastern Masonry and Chimney want to tell you about why your annual chimney sweeping is so important to the health of your chimney. 
Every year, chimney fires are one of the leading causes of residential house fires. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) there is an average of more than 20,000 residential house fires caused by chimney fires every year. Maybe one of the most unfortunate things about chimney caused house fires is that a majority of these fires could have been prevented with an annual chimney sweeping. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) states that the leading contributor to home heating fires is having a chimney that hasn’t been cleaned. We here at Northeastern Masonry and Chimney can’t stress enough the importance of sweeping your chimney once a year. Not only does it help your chimney operate the way it’s supposed to, it also keeps your home safe.
How sweeping helps
All types of fuel release smoke, soot and gas byproducts. When these byproducts move up your chimney, they cool down and some of it condenses. This condensation, made of gases and smoke, hardens on the inside of your chimney and attached itself to your chimney wall. Eventually, this condensation begins to accumulate until it gets to the point that it forms a thick tar-like substance called creosote. Creosote is combustible and if it catches on fire, it creates a chimney fire that is nearly impossible to extinguish. There is no preventative measure to stop creosote from building up inside your chimney. That is why it is essential to schedule an annual chimney sweeping to have it removed before it becomes an issue.
It is very important to have your annual chimney sweeping performed by a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certified chimney technician.
Don’t put your home at risk and get your chimney swept right away! At Northeastern Masonry and Chimney all of our chimney technicians are CSIA certified and ready to serve you today. Now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment before our spring rush. Give us a call today at 518-767-9315 or visit us online and to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you!