THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2021
Chimney Maintenance
A fireplace offers ambiance and relaxation. But there are also inherent fire dangers. To combat the risk of fire or inhalation of dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) gas, it is important to make chimney care part of your home maintenance plan. Follow these tips to keep your chimney in good shape and prevent fire hazards.
Both metal and masonry chimneys require maintenance so that smoke and flue gases are ventilated properly. At the minimum, you should have your chimney inspected annually before each heating season. In addition:
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Have your chimney cleaned on a regular basis to reduce creosote buildup.
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Make sure your masonry chimney has a flue liner in place to reduce the possibility that the masonry could absorb creosote.
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Replace damaged liners, as they allow creosote to accumulate and heat to escape.
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Only allow a chimney contractor to use a tested product that is listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
Specific Maintenance Tips
There are two types of chimneys that require specific maintenance to reduce the risks in your home.
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Fireplace inserts—Make sure the vent is connected to the flue of the chimney.
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Factory-built metal chimneys—Do not use natural gas, fuel oil vents, well casing, stovepipe or other material in the chimney, as they cannot withstand the heat in a wood burner.
Do not vent more than one heater or appliance into a single flue, as major complications can arise. If one fuel-burning appliance is connected to a flue and then you attach an additional appliance, such as a water heater, you run the risk of numerous problems, including heavy creosote accumulation, deterioration of the flue or CO gas drifting into your home.
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