Chimney Cleaning: Why and When?
A fireplace or stove in the house is a source of special warmth, comfort, and an indescribable atmosphere.
You sit on a bear skin in front of the fireplace, tossing logs into the cheerful fire, poking the coals with a poker, and enjoying life. Central heating radiators cannot compare! A heating boiler sounds much less romantic, but it also has its advantages. However, they require increased attention. All these systems are quite demanding in maintenance and use; neglecting and improperly following the operating rules can lead to serious consequences.
The main rule is that the chimney must be passable, and it needs to be cleaned periodically.
Is it necessary to clean it?
The answer is unequivocal – yes, it is necessary. Let’s clarify what a chimney is. As the name suggests, it is a device for the passage of smoke. It consists of a vertical channel with a round or rectangular cross-section, designed to carry combustion products into the atmosphere. The chimney creates natural draft, through which the necessary air enters the firebox, and gas is removed from the firebox.
Fuel does not burn completely without residue; soot rises into the chimney along with the smoke. It settles on the walls of the chimney, forming a coating that becomes thicker over time. The diameter of the pipe decreases, and accordingly, the draft decreases, causing the chimney to cease performing its primary function.
To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to periodically clean the chimney of soot. In the past, when stove heating was widespread, the profession of chimney sweep was very popular. Professional chimney sweeps still exist today, but it is not necessary to resort to their services; you can manage on your own.
The chimney should be cleaned regularly, at least once every six months. Cleaning may be needed sooner, which can be easily inferred from the following signs:
- change in smoke color. Dark smoke indicates that soot is burning on the walls of the chimney, meaning cleaning is necessary;
- change in draft.
Chimney cleaning is not a complicated process, but it is quite labor-intensive and requires consideration of many aspects. If you have a chimney that needs cleaning and do not wish to delve into the details, it is better to entrust the cleaning to professionals, as a contaminated chimney is extremely dangerous – firstly, it poses a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and secondly, it has a high fire hazard.
Take care of yourself! And observe all safety measures! In case of fire, immediately call the emergency service at numbers 101 or 112! View all