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cleaning your fireplace
Cleaning Your Fireplace
Taking proper care of your fireplace is
crucial. Homeowners need to understand their fireplace and
chimney in order to keep it safe, clean and working efficiently.
The most critical component of any fireplace is the chimney.
This is where heat, smoke, and exhaust escape, leading to
deposits of creosote and other forms of debris.
The chimney should be cleaned professionally
at least once a year to ensure that the creosote build up
is removed. Not only does a build up of creosote create
an unsafe and inefficient fireplace, but it often leads
to an unfriendly odor as well. This is especially true during
summers. Spring is the best time to have your fireplace
cleaned out, preparing you for a warm, odor free, safe winter.
Gas fireplaces should also be checked and
cleaned annually. It is common for small animals to find
their way into your chimney. Modern flues are equipped with
caps and mesh wire to prevent unwanted outside debris from
entering into your home. If your fireplace is older, consider
upgrading to a newer style flue. If your fireplace does
contain a flue cap and wire mesh, make sure the cap is in
the proper place and the wire mesh is cleaned. A service
professional will check for these things during a chimney
sweep.
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