Professional Chimney Sweep, Air Duct & Dryer Vent Cleaning in Baltimore, MD

When wood or any other combustible solid fuel is burned in a chimney a tar-like residue called creosote is produced from the byproduct of incomplete combustion. Overtime, creosote can build up along the inner walls of a chimney and create a situation that may eventually lead to a chimney fire. Making sure that a cleaning is performed on a regular basis will safeguard against the risk of a fire occurring in a chimney and subsequently spreading to the rest of a home.

Gas is a cleaner burning fuel than wood but yes, gas chimneys must be inspected. During the course of a year debris can accumulate in the liner or possibly get clogged in the flue or other parts of a gas or wood burning chimney. More importantly, disconnected or loose chimney connections due to rust and corrosion over time can pose serious dangers for residents due to leakage of carbon monoxide into the home. While in most cases there is no need to clean a gas chimney on an annual basis, that does not mean other parts of the chimney cannot fall into disrepair.

A chimney cap is a concrete and metal covering that is placed on top of a chimney so smoke and other gases can escape into the atmosphere while preventing leaves, tree branches, animals and rainwater from getting in. If not removed promptly, any object could at some point be a catalyst for a chimney fire. Chimney caps are also critical in prolonging the life of a chimney. Most of the structural damage that is inflicted on a chimney is due to rainwater seeping into the cracks and crevasses of the masonry. When this water freezes it will expand the area where it settled and leave an even larger gap than what was originally there after it has melted. Over a winter this freezing and melting process can occur multiple times and compromise the structural integrity of the masonry significantly.

A chimney liner is a flexible metal tube that protects the inner walls of a chimney from creosote residue. Once installed, a new liner will usually last about 30 years. Chimneys still need to be cleaned and/or inspected on a regular basis but a chimney liner will not only reduce the future costs associated with chimney repairs and maintenance but also reduce the risk of a chimney fire as well.