DANGERS OF SWEEPING CHIMNEYS
It is highly recommended that you contract with a professional to conduct your annual chimney cleaning service. Regular inspecting, repairing and cleaning of your chimney is essential for the safety of your family, yourself and your home. Doing it yourself might however not be such a good idea and may worsen the problem and you may injure yourself. You need to understand what to do as well as the risks involved and it is best to leave it to the professionals.
Here are some of the dangers aspects of trying to sweep your chimney yourself:
·       Risk of lung damage such as bronchitis
·       Itchy skin and rashes
·       Eye irritation
·       Long-lasting damage due to inhalation of soot and ash
Taking these risk factors into account, it might definitely be best to leave it to the professionals.
A particular concern to mention is carbon monoxide (CO). With the buildup of creosote in your chimney, the drawing power of the chimney lessens and does not clear smoke away that quickly anymore. These inefficient chimneys produce CO and also put the health of your family at risk. If your flue liner breaks, carbon monoxide can enter your home. It is wise to have a carbon monoxide detector installed to detect high levels of the odorless gas and alert you as well as booking a fireplace inspection Chicago and chimney cleaning annually to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.DANGERS OF NOT CLEANING YOUR CHIMNEYS
The fire departments are called out for many thousands of structural fires every winter. Many of these fires are caused by fires inside chimneys. You can also have a chimney fire if you do not get your chimney cleaned professionally and face the below hazards:
·       Creosote accumulation and build up
·       Low indoor air quality
·       Risks to your health and safety
·       Blocked flue