Chimneys need to be swept and cleaned on a regular basis to ensure that they function properly. The main purpose of the chimney is to allow the smoke from the fire to escape into the atmosphere without any obstructions. Without a chimney, the smoke from the fire would just linger inside the house and can cause charring on the walls. The chimney has been a standard feature in British houses for thousands of years, ever since the concept of a fireplace was first introduced. However, what most people don’t realise is that the chimney requires regular cleaning and maintenance, especially during the winter seasons, as the fireplace is lit more often.
Unless you have the right tools and are experienced enough to clean the chimney by yourself, you should generally avoid doing so. There’s a very high risk that you will end up injuring yourself in the process or inhale a lot of the soot, possibly causing a respiratory disorder. Chimney sweeps in Surrey are offered by a number of different companies throughout the area. You can just call a local company and they will send over a chimney sweeper to wipe it clean for you. Here are some of the many benefits that regular chimney sweeping offers.
Increased Efficiency
First of all, regular chimney sweeps greatly increase the efficiency of performance of your chimney. A chimney that has been kept neat, clean, and well-maintained will obviously be more efficient than one that hasn’t been cleaned in a long time and has soot and creosote deposited around the sides. It won’t be able to allow the smoke to pass through easily from the chimney, and some of it might even enter the room.
Reduced Fire Hazards
An unclean chimney poses a major fire hazard. If your chimney hasn’t been properly cleaned, the amount of creosote that builds up around the sides will continue to increase. Keep in mind that creosote is highly flammable, and since there’s a fire lit right underneath, it doesn’t take long for the creosote to light up too. There have been numerous cases in the past where houses have burned down due to a fire that started in the chimney. However, if the chimney is cleaned regularly, not only will it reduce the risk of a fire hazard, it will also ensure that the smoke is able to escape conveniently into the atmosphere.
Prolonged Working Life
Another benefit you get for keeping the chimney neat and clean is that it greatly increases the working life of the chimney, mitigating the need for carrying out subsequent repairs and making sure the chimney lasts you for years to come without requiring any sort of maintenance work.