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man cleaning chimney on the roof of a house

Reasons To Have Your Chimney and Fireplace Cleaned


Summer is in full swing, which means it’s the perfect time for barbecues, pool parties, and afternoons spent outdoors. Since you won’t be using your chimney for a while, it’s a great season to make sure it’s clean and doesn’t need any repairs.

This article will give you four reasons why you should have your chimney and fireplace cleaned before using them in the fall and winter. We will also discuss how professional chimney cleaning services can benefit you and your family.

1. Reduce the Risk of Chimney Fires

A chimney fire is one of the most dangerous fires in a home. Not only are they difficult to extinguish, but they also spread quickly and can easily cause the entire house to go up in flames.

The best way to prevent a chimney fire is to have your chimney cleaned regularly. During a cleaning, a professional chimney sweep will remove all of the soot, creosote, and other debris that can build up in your chimney flue. This way, there is nothing in the chimney for the fire to ignite when it starts.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends that chimneys undergo thorough cleaning every year to prevent fires from breaking out.

2. Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Another danger of having a dirty chimney is the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

When your chimney is clogged, the fumes from the fire can’t escape properly and will start to seep into your home. This can be extremely dangerous, especially if you have small children or pets.

Chimney cleanings will remove the blockages in your chimney and allow the fumes to escape properly. Additionally, inspecting your chimney regularly can help identify potential problems that could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

3. Improve the Efficiency of Your Fireplace

A clogged or dirty chimney can also make your fireplace less efficient because the air can’t flow properly through the chimney.

This means you’ll use more wood or fuel to achieve the same results. Not only is this a waste of money, but it’s also bad for the environment.

A professional chimney sweep will clean your chimney and ensure it is clear of any obstructions. This will allow your fireplace to work properly and help you save money on wood.

Chimney sweeps can also inspect your fireplace and make sure that it is operating correctly. This way, you can be sure that you’re getting the most out of your fireplace.

4. Prevents Costly Chimney Repair Services

Chimney services such as sweeping and cleaning can also help to prevent costly repairs in the future.

A well-maintained chimney will last longer and won’t need to be repaired as often. A reputable chimney cleaning company can help spot any potential problems before they become serious.

Furthermore, chimney repairs are much more expensive than regular maintenance. If you want to save money in the long run, having your chimney cleaned and inspected regularly is best.

How Hiring Certified Chimney Inspections Can Benefit You and Your Family

If you’re seeking wood chimney services in the Rhode Island area, Certified Chimney Inspections is the company for you.

We’re not just any other chimney sweeping company in the Providence RI, area. With a combined 75 years of experience, each of our employees is certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America and is a member of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. We have the equipment to handle any size chimney, so contact us today.

From chimney inspection to cleaning and repair, we’re dedicated to providing our customers with the best possible chimney service. We ensure everything is in working order, from your wood stove to the chimney cap. On the day of your inspection, you’ll receive up-to-date notifications informing you that we’re on our way and when we’ll arrive, so you’re never out of the loop. 

Contact us today if you’re ready to schedule a chimney inspection or cleaning. We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions and help you keep your chimney in top condition.



10 signs your chimney is in need of repairs


A chimney is an integral part of the house; it can contribute to the house’s beauty and help keep
the house clean and warm. Ignoring regular chimney maintenance and upgrades can interfere
with the beauty of your house or limit the benefits of the chimney to the house. It can also
expose the house to fire hazards and other damages. How do you know your chimney is in dire
need of repairs? Here are the ten signs.

Spalling

A chimney is held together by the masonry on the roof created around it. If the masonry begins
to fall, this could be a sign that the chimney needs some repairs. The masonry may be falling
due to the cracks or accumulation of moisture around the chimney. This can lead to further
damage in the house, such as low air quality, leakages, and damaged and moist walls. The
chimney may also develop adverse cracks interfering with the structural integrity of the house.
Hire a contractor from Chimney Repair Rhode Island to fix the chimney before the subsequent
damages occur.

Check the chimney cap

The role of the chimney cap is to prevent rain, snow, and other foreign objects from getting
through the chimney into the house. It also plays an integral role in the survival of interior and
exterior parts of the chimney. It should always be present, and it must have the perfect shape.
When you are missing a cap or have a deformed shape, its time to look for a new chimney cap
and subsequent repairs and inspections.

White staining on the chimney interiors and exteriors

When white discolourations begin forming on the chimney, you could be having a moisture
problem. The white discolouration is natural salts in the bricks leaking out due to the moisture in
the bricks. This calls for instant repairs since the chimney's structural integrity is degrading and
may cause extensive damages.

Cracks on the firebox

The firebox should be intact with no cracks or holes. When the mortar joints are missing at the
fireplace, it means the bricks are loose, and you could be losing a lot of heat going into the wall.
The cement used to hold firebricks together can easily dissolve in water leading to spaces and
cracks in the bricks. When this occurs, you need to hire an expert to investigate the source of
the leak and repair the damages.

Rust

You need to remove rust from the chimney regularly. When you let it accumulate, it can destroy
the chimney, leading to holes or declining chimney structure. To remove the rust, you need to

hire an expert who will inspect sections such as the flue, damper, and firebox, then clean them
to remove any rust.

Falling chimney tiles

If you find a couple of chimney tiles around the house or in the fireplace, it could mean the
chimney is old enough and needs a replacement, or you need some extensive repairs. The
biggest cause of the problem is water accumulation which allows the tiles to peel off by
dissolving the cement holding the tile. Another cause can be cracks on the chimney walls.

Water or moist fireplace

When you find water at the fireplace, or you find the fireplace sometimes wet and moist, you
could be having a chimney problem. Maybe the cap is damaged, or the chimney absorbs a lot of
moisture into its interior sections.

Mortar damages

Inspecting a mortar should not be a challenge even for you. You need to inspect it regularly for
any damages and ensure no rust and all the elements are held together and tightly. If you
identify any cracks, rust, or discolouration, especially a white discolouration, then you need an
expert instantly.

Damaged wallpaper

Inspect the wallpapers on the chimneys for any changes or damages. You can check for any
discolourations, check it is becoming moist, or have cracks or tears. This can be the effects of
excess moisture on the chimney walls, causing the wallpaper to soak. If you do not have
wallpaper, you can check the wall to ensure the paint is not peeling off or changing color.

Leaking roof around the chimney

The damages to the roof can affect the chimney and vice versa. Inspect for any damage in the
surrounding areas to identify whether the roof or the chimney is the problem. Excessive
moisture around the chimney or the roof can also damage the chimney's integral part, such as
the mortar.

Conclusion

For a complete evaluation of chimney interiors and exterior, contact Chimney Repair Rhode
Island. We will inspect the chimney and fix other related problems. We are committed to
keeping you safe and ensuring the chimney does not lead to any other damages to your house.

Chimney does not lead to any other damages to your house.

Feel free to contact us for your chimney needs!