Been Using Your Chimney All Winter? Reasons to Clean It Now Instead of Later

1. Been Using Your Chimney All Winter? Reasons to Clean It Now Instead of Later Most homeowners who actively use their fireplaces in the winter will call a professional for a chimney cleaning very close to the start of the heating season. Though this is effective for many people, there are a few reasons why you might prefer getting your chimney cleaned at the very end of winter or the start of spring, instead. Scheduling on Your Time For those in the chimney industry, spring is a slow time of year. Very few people – if any – actively use their fireplaces, so there are no issues to resolve. You can take advantage of the slow season by scheduling your cleaning immediately after the heating season ends. Rather than waiting up to a month for the first available appointment and taking a day off work to be present when the crew arrives, you can schedule your cleaning right away – and on your time. Removing Creosote Early is Better for Your Chimney Creosote is a flammable residue that builds up on your chimney as you burn firewood. This substance can cause chimney fires if left to build up too long, but most homeowners don’t use their fireplaces during the summer, so they don’t worry about cleaning out the creosote until later in the year. This can be a mistake. Creosote is not only flammable, but it is also quite acidic. It can damage the metal flue, cause mortar and brick to deteriorate, and even weaken the integrity of your chimney. When you clean your chimney in the spring, you can reduce some of this risk. Reducing Unpleasant Odors If you’ve ever smelled rain on a campfire, you might not find it too terribly unpleasant. However, when that odor finds its way into your home – and when that smell is very strong and concentrated – it can be distracting. Rain mixing with soot and creosote creates this odor, and rather than traveling upward and out, that odor is far more likely to travel downward and inside your home. For this reason, you should schedule your cleaning early in the year and keep your home smelling clean and fresh. Catch Problems Before the Spring Rain When you hire a professional chimney cleaning company, these individuals do more than just remove the creosote. Because they get up close and personal with your chimney and fireplace, they will also be able to pinpoint any problems that might have occurred since your last cleaning and inspection. The earlier you can pinpoint these issues and get them repaired, the less likely they are to cause you serious problems in the future. Save Money Many chimney service providers offer discounts to homeowners who choose to schedule their cleaning and inspection during the spring and summer months. This helps to ensure year-round business for these companies, and it gives you an excellent opportunity to save some money on services you will eventually need anyway. Keep your eyes peeled for special discounts during the off-season to take advantage of them. You probably have your chimney cleaned once a year, but if you are like most homeowners, you probably wait until fall to do it. By scheduling your cleaning in the spring, you can save yourself time and money – and you can keep your home and family safer in the process.