With the cost of energy having recently spiraled higher than ever before, we’ve seen a sharp increase in the number of people turning to alternative heat sources to keep warm during the colder months of the year. Without question, two of the most popular heat sources for homes across the nation are open fires and wood burning/multi-fuel stoves.
There’s just something calming and relaxing about watching a real fire that you just can’t seem to get with electric heaters. Add to that, the fact that they pump out an insane amount of heat and can be more economic as well, and you can certainly see why they’ve increased in popularity.
As great as open fires and stoves can be, as they deal with real fire there are a lot of safety concerns to consider. Where there’s fire there’s smoke, and where there’s smoke there needs to be ventilation. This comes in the form of a chimney. Fail to maintain your chimney, and you could pay the ultimate price.
From chimney leak repair to regular cleaning, here are several essential chimney safety tips you must implement.
Only Burn Seasoned Fuel
Wood is one of the most popular fuel sources for stoves and open fires, yet it’s important to know that not all wood is suitable to burn.
Some people assume that wood is suitable to burn the second it’s split, when in reality things are very different. When burning wood, it’s important to only burn properly seasoned wood. By this, we mean wood with a very low moisture content.
It’s important to only burn wood with a moisture content of below 20%. Wood with a higher moisture content than this is known as ‘green wood’ and is no good for burning. As it’s high in moisture, it won’t burn hot enough to give out enough heat. Instead, it will cause dirty smoke which increases the risk of carbon monoxide, and also causes a greater build up of creosote in your chimney.
Invest in a Carbon Monoxide Detector
Carbon Monoxide kills. What’s more, it has no smell and is impossible to detect without the use of a carbon monoxide detector.
Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odorless gas that can cause people to become seriously unwell when they breathe it in. Inhalation can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and can be fatal. The gas is produced whenever a material is burned which is why a carbon monoxide detector is so important.
Carbon monoxide detectors look and function just like smoke detectors, except instead of smoke, they detect carbon monoxide in the air.
Usually, carbon monoxide is ventilated in the smoke through the chimney of your fire. If however, your chimney is blocked, partially blocked, leaking, or not drawing correctly, the CO can leech back into your home and have devastating consequences.
A carbon monoxide detector will alert you to high levels of carbon monoxide and can save lives. Have your alarm/alarms installed in the same room as your fire, ideally within 6 feet.
Diagnose the Cause of Any Chimney Leaks
Chimney leaks are very serious and can not only cause damage to your property, but they can also be dangerous.
As rain falls from the sky, if there are any leaks or issues with your chimney, the rain will find a way in and will therefore find a way to enter the home. Diagnosing the cause of a chimney leak however, is not easy. That’s why chimney leak repair services are in such high demand.
Once you’ve contacted your chimney leak repair expert, they’ll be able to take a look at your chimney and fireplace and figure out where the water is getting in. It could be an issue with your waterproof sealant, your chimney may not be capped, the weather could have deteriorated it, the chimney may be damaged, or it could be blocked.
Not only could water be getting into your home, but if the chimney is blocked, carbon monoxide could leak into your home. As you now know, this could be fatal. This is why hiring chimney leak repair specialists and having them diagnose the problem straight away is so important.
Only Hire Chimney Leak Repair Experts
When it comes to a chimney leak, never attempt the work yourself unless you are qualified to do so.
Chimney leak repair is not easy, and is something that must be done correctly. One mistake could be very costly and could even be fatal. That’s why you should never leave it to chance and always hire a professional.
Professional chimney leak repair experts can identify the cause of your leak and rectify the problem safely and professionally.
Have Your Chimney Inspected Regularly
Even after hiring professional chimney leak repair specialists and having any issues taken care of, it’s important to regularly get your chimney inspected.
Regular chimney inspections will help you to identify potential problems and resolve small problems before they turn into bigger ones. They also offer you peace of mind so you can rest easy in the knowledge of your chimney being in perfect working order.
Clean Your Chimney at least Once a Year
Chimney fires can have devastating consequences which is why it’s so important to get your chimney cleaned professionally at least once per year.
Chimney fires are often caused by creosote build ups. Overtime, these build ups will get hotter and hotter until they burst into flames. Essentially, your chimney will now be functioning as a stove, with the creosote in the chimney acting as fuel.
By getting your chimney cleaned regularly, you’re removing creosote and other deposits which could combust and cause a fire. Not only that, but by cleaning your chimney you’re improving the airflow, meaning that your fire will burn more efficiently. This means that it will generate more heat, it will burn cleaner, and it will help save you money because you’ll be burning less fuel.