Posted 8:29 pm Saturday, December 22, 2012
Send to Kindle
Fireplace cleaning and upkeep vital to prevent danger
BY JENNIFER HEATHCOCK
KYTX CBS19
The cold weather makes a fire in the fireplace sound nice. But the reality is that warming comfort could be dangerous if the fireplace isn’t clean.
KYTX CBS19
The cold weather makes a fire in the fireplace sound nice. But the reality is that warming comfort could be dangerous if the fireplace isn’t clean.
The real danger is lurking inside the chimney itself.
Carver Cobbins usually lights a fire at his home when it’s cold.
My wife “likes the romantic part of a fire,” Cobbins said. And because his wife likes to see it burning in the fireplace, he takes all the precautions.
Many call fireplace maintenance professionals to get a clean sweep.
“Every time it gets cold, the phone rings quite a bit,” said Robert Swinney, owner of The Chimney Sweep.
Swinney has been cleaning chimneys since 1975.
He said a chimney should be professionally cleaned every two to three years.
“It’s important because when burning wood, (you) have the by-product of soot and creosote, (that) over the years sticks to walls and is actually flammable,” he said.
That’s why he brushes it out, and cleans up chimneys from inside.
He said it’s also vital to check the damper that controls the air flow into the chimney.
“Check for cracks and any kind of water damage around the fleshing,” he said.
He also recommends cleaning the roof of leaves or debris so it won’t catch fire from embers.
My wife “likes the romantic part of a fire,” Cobbins said. And because his wife likes to see it burning in the fireplace, he takes all the precautions.
Many call fireplace maintenance professionals to get a clean sweep.
“Every time it gets cold, the phone rings quite a bit,” said Robert Swinney, owner of The Chimney Sweep.
Swinney has been cleaning chimneys since 1975.
He said a chimney should be professionally cleaned every two to three years.
“It’s important because when burning wood, (you) have the by-product of soot and creosote, (that) over the years sticks to walls and is actually flammable,” he said.
That’s why he brushes it out, and cleans up chimneys from inside.
He said it’s also vital to check the damper that controls the air flow into the chimney.
“Check for cracks and any kind of water damage around the fleshing,” he said.
He also recommends cleaning the roof of leaves or debris so it won’t catch fire from embers.
