chimney sweeping in Woodbury, MN

How to Tell When You Need to Hire a Woodbury, MN Chimney Sweeping Contractor

Whether you regularly use your fireplace to heat your Washington County home or you only use it to create ambiance every once in a while, making sure that it is well-maintained is imperative. Cleaning the chimney is an essential part of that maintenance. The chimney serves two vital functions: it exhausts the byproducts that fires produce (smoke, soot, ash, and excessive heat) out of your house, and it feeds your fires with the oxygen they need to burn. The structure also adds architectural interest and lends to the aesthetic appeal of your home. Over time, however, creosote, dirt, debris, and even animal nests can collect inside the structure, impairing its function. If it’s clogged, your chimney won’t be able to exhaust properly, which can result in serious safety hazards, as the risk of a chimney fire and even carbon monoxide exposure, will increase. Moreover, the efficiency of your fires will suffer, as well as the cosmetic appeal of the structure.

In order to ensure that your chimney functions properly and safely, and to keep it looking its best, the structure needs to be professionally cleaned. But how do you know when to call a chimney sweep? If you’re experiencing any of the following signs, scheduling an appointment with a Woodbury, MN chimney sweeping company is a must.

Fire Quality Issues

Does it seem like the fires you light aren’t burning as powerfully or producing as much warmth as they usually do? Do they fizzle out quickly? Are you having a hard time getting them to burn at all? Fire quality issues are a surefire sign that your chimney needs to be cleaned. Remember that the chimney supplies fires with the oxygen they need to burn, and if the interior of the structure is coated with caked-on creosote, dirt, and debris, the oxygen supply will be reduced. As a result, you’ll start having issues with your fires. A reputable Woodbury, MN chimney sweeping professional will thoroughly clean the interior of the structure and will restore the efficiency of your fires.

Smoke

Does smoke billow back into your Washington County home whenever you light a fire? That’s a definite sign that it’s time to have the structure cleaned. Exhausting the smoke that fires produce out of your house is a key function of a chimney. If it’s clogged with dirt and debris, smoke won’t be able to travel up the chimney, and instead, it will waft back into your house. Smoke isn’t only unpleasant; it can damage your hearth, fireplace surround, and furnishings. Even more alarming, smoke contains carbon monoxide, and exposure to this gas is a serious health hazard. In order to protect your home, yourself, and your loved ones, calling in a Woodbury, MN chimney sweeping professional is a must.

Odd Odors

When you light a fire, does the smell of smoke fill your Washington County house? Have you noticed the scent of a campfire coming from your fireplace, even when you aren’t using it? If you’re noticing unusual odors coming from your fireplace, that’s another sign that you need to call a Woodbury, MN chimney sweeping company. Those smells are an indication of an excessive buildup of creosote, soot, ash, and other organic matter in your chimney, and when those materials are met with heat or are mixed with humid air, the odor will permeate throughout your house.

Unusual Odors

Have you been hearing scratching or banging sounds coming out of your fireplace or in the walls that surround your chimney? Those sounds could be a sign that animals have taken up residence in your chimney. Bats, raccoons, squirrels, birds, and other critters are known to seek shelter in chimneys. You definitely don’t want pests building nests in your chimney. When you use the fireplace, the nests could ignite, sparking a chimney fire that could rapidly spread throughout your house. Plus, there’s a chance that the animals could travel down the chimney and into your Washington County home. If you’re hearing unusual sounds and they seem to be originating from your chimney, you’re definitely going to want to call a Woodbury, MN chimney sweeping company.