(This article continues the discussion of chimney cleaning in our previous post.) 
 
Although you can experience hours of comfort and enjoyment relaxing in front of a fire in your fireplace, a fair amount of preventive maintenance is required to ensure the safety of your home, indoor air quality and your family members.  There are several factors involved when determining the frequency of chimney cleaning.  NOTE:  There are no hard and fast rules as to how frequently your chimney should be cleaned.  Maintenance needs vary a lot based on how frequently it is used, age, structure, etc.    
 
When a chimney cleaning technician inspects your chimney, they will look at how much creosote accumulation has occurred over time.  If there is little to no accumulation, a cleaning may not be required.  However, if there is 1/4 of an inch or more, then they will most likely suggest that your chimney be cleaned thoroughly. 
 
Another issue that chimney cleaning directly addresses are blockages that result from bird nesting as well as the accumulation of debris and leaves in the flue.  There can also be structural issues that need to be addressed such as cracks in the flue, a damaged chimney cap and crown, and problems with the brickwork.  Although structural issues are beyond the scope of a chimney sweep, the professional can identify these problems and recommend how to have them corrected so that you can have them corrected before more dangerous situations occur.
 
If you are living anywhere in the DC metropolitan area including Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland, Dapper Ducts can be of immediate assistance for your chimney sweep needs.  Call us today.

Nothing is more soothing on a cold and wet wintry day than relaxing in the comfort and warmth of a glowing fire in your fireplace.  However, if you cannot remember the last time that you had your fireplace and chimney cleaned and maintained by a professional chimney sweep, then it is probably time for a thorough cleaning.  Lack of proper fireplace and chimney cleaning can transform the comfort and coziness of that relaxing fire into a potentially dangerous situation. 
 
Why is chimney cleaning important?  When you use your fireplace frequently throughout the year, soot accumulates in your chimney.  In addition to this, debris and leaves can enter the chimney if there is no cap or guard installed, which can restrict the venting of smoke out of your home.  Rather than the smoke from your cozy fire being vented out through the chimney, it could fill your home if the chimney is clogged.
 
Most importantly, regular chimney cleaning prevents the build-up of creosote, a flammable substance that can ignite and burn very quickly as well as causing a blockage and restricting air flow.  A professional chimney sweep will ensure that this has been thoroughly removed from the chimney’s interior walls, thereby reducing the risk of a fire occurring.  Finally, cleaning your chimney and fireplace can be very messy, so many people prefer to hire a professional to do the job.
 
Depending on how often you use your fireplace during the colder months in the DC metropolitan area, a thorough chimney cleaning is recommended no less than once every year.  Regular cleaning will protect you and your family against the risk of a fire starting in the chimney and your indoor air quality from being compromised by smoke circulating throughout your home via your HVAC system. 
 
Call Dapper Ducts today to have your chimney cleaned and keep enjoying those crackling, cozy fires.