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mardi 28 avril 2015

Why A Professional Chimney Sweep Is So Important

By Toni Vang


In winter, staying warm is one priority in the home. Some people use fireplaces to do this, and as they may be aware, using a fireplace involves keeping the chimney in working order. It may sound strange but chimneys need attention and maintenance. This isn't always something that the owner of the property is able to perform themselves, and at such times they should then contract a professional chimney sweep.

Yet they should also take into account that sweeps are not informal, unregulated operators. There is, in fact, a national sweep authority, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (the CSIA), which trains and issues certification to the sweeps. This is important when you are searching for a sweep, because you should ask to see their certificate. Only use one who has official certification.

One primary issue in maintaining the smoke outlet on the premises is the presence of creosote in its inside. Creosote is the scientific name for a family of chemical compounds based on carbon. They form when plant material (or fuel) burns. They are problematic because they start to form deposits or accumulations on the walls of the outlet. Green wood, or wood that has been recently chopped, causes more of them to form than older, drier wood.

Creosote aggregates on the inside of the outlet. It sticks to the plaster or brickwork there. There is more than one reason why this is a potentially hazardous phenomenon and why it needs to be removed regularly through comprehensive sweeping.

Creosote catches fire readily, so it can start to burn inside the outlet. The intensely hot air that emanates from the fire below can cause it to ignite. This results in what is known in technical terminology as a chimney fire. This kind of fire can then in turn ignite other parts of the household structure, or its sparks can exit the outlet and ignite neighboring properties.

A quarter of all residential fires in the USA are started through the presence of creosote. Removing it from the chimney is not merely a matter of aesthetics. It is an essential part of household maintenance and also the responsible use of home fireplaces. Professional sweeps are not merely a gimmicky accessory - they perform an essential role in keeping the home safe.

Another issue associated with creosote, and this is one which is more inconvenient than anything else - is that it restricts airflow in the smoke outlet. The less oxygen the fire has, the colder it will burn. This, in turn, translates into lower fuel efficiency in its heating potential. That is to say, the wood or other fuel is not producing as much heat as it should be able to.

You should speak to a chimney sweep in San Diego CA about examining your outlet if you believe that there is a problem. They have the necessary training not only to check it for trouble but also to give you information on cleaning it or repairing it. They can also examine the fireplace or stove and the rest of the premises. This is not negotiable in terms of your neighbors' safety, or your own, but it is also something that many homeowners are not able to do themselves.




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