FLUE SEASON
Time for Your Annual Chimney Inspection
Annual inspections of chimneys, fireplaces, and vents are recommended by the National Fire Protection Association to prevent fires, carbon monoxide poisonings, and to ensure safe and efficient operation of your fireplace, home heating system, and solid-fuel appliances.
Excessive, glazed creosote in flue. |
Cracked tile in flue. |
Missing piece of tile in flue. |
Defective tile in flue. |
A Clean chimney will not catch fire.
Get regular inspections and cleaning's as needed.
Due to increasing fuel costs, heating with wood has become very popular. But it can also be dangerous if not cleaned on a regularly basis. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 1998, there were 18,300 residential fires in the United States due to fireplaces, chimneys, and solid-fuel appliances. These fires resulted in 40 deaths, 160 injuries, and $158.2 million dollars in property damage.
What causes these fires?
Usually 3 Things: Creosote Build-up, Cracks, Birds Nests
The accumulation of creosote, a tar-like substance, is the main reason for cleaning a chimney. If the build-up of creosote in the chimney ignites, a fire can result. Chimney systems are not designed to handle the high temperatures of a chimney fire. These extremely high temperatures can actually warp metal chimneys and crack the fire clay liner in masonry chimneys.
Just one quarter-inch of creosote build-up can be a fire hazard. Wood burning stoves tend to generate larger amounts of creosote and should be cleaned twice a year if used frequently. Excessive creosote build-up can be caused by restricted air supply, burning unseasoned wood, or a partially closed damper. The longer it takes for smoke to move up the flue, the more likely for creosote to form.
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A severe glazed creosote
condition with a clay flue liner |
If a crack or hole in the flue isn't repaired or goes unnoticed, sparks generated by a fire could go through the openings and into an attic or wood framework surrounding the chimney and cause a house fire.
Birds' nests in and around chimneys are also a major cause of house fires. It's common to find birds' nests inside the metal chimney chase, which is basically a decorative surround that covers the chimney pipe that comes through the roof.
During the course of a chimney inspection, the technician on the job will usually check for missing mortar joints, deteriorated brick, excessive creosote accumulation and to see if the damper is working properly. For the cleaning part of the job, specially designed wire brushes attached to long poles and high-powered vacuums are used. Even high-tech video cameras are being made available. Average cleaning's usually will remove a pint of creosote from chimneys.
Provided as a Hannabery HVAC Safety Tip
Hannabery HVAC does not clean or inspect chimneys.
Call Your Local, Professional Chimney Cleaning Service.
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