Boulder winters are no joke. From the plummeting temps to the mountains of snow, there’s a good chance you’ll be reaching for a blanket or the thermostat once winter settles in.
And if you and your family have a fireplace in your home, you might be piling on some extra logs to keep warm on chilly nights.
Whether you like to curl up with that special someone or just with a steaming mug of cocoa, fireplaces add warmth and comfort on even the coldest of evenings.
And once December rolls around, your fireplace is the essential entry point for a certain plump man in red bearing gifts for the whole family.
As you and your family prepare for Santa’s arrival, you might be thinking about whether your chimney is ready for a smooth landing.
From keeping your home, family, and Santa safe, learn why chimney cleaning should be a regular part of your Christmas prep this holiday season.
Importance of Chimney Cleaning in Boulder
As the mercury drops, you might be tempted to pick up a cord of wood and fire up the chimney.
But using a fireplace that hasn’t been properly cleaned and inspected could put your home and family in danger (not to mention Santa and his bag of presents!)
While there are several factors that can affect the safety and efficacy of your chimney, (including insufficient drawing, sparks exploding from the top of the chimney, and downdrafts), one of the most common safety issues is excess creosote.
A byproduct of burning wood, creosote refers to a category of carbonaceous chemicals that are known to be carcinogenic in humans.
Creosote is more commonly produced from soft woods like pine and self-starting logs than hard woods, such as oak and aspen.
Along with being a potential health hazard in large quantities, creosote can lead to flue fires and other issues — which is why regularly cleaning your chimney is so important.
How Often Should I Get my Chimney Cleaned?
The National Association of Chimney Sweeps recommends annual chimney sweeping to remove soot and debris at the start of the winter season.
According to the NACS, this cleaning process is crucial to preventing chimney fires and reducing the presence of hazardous fume emissions.
Regular service is also important for homeowners with gas-powered chimneys. Blocked vents can allow fumes to be released into your house.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 22,300 structural fires occurred as a result of chimney problems each year between 2011 and 2013.
By taking a few preventative steps, you can do a lot to keep your home and family safe.
Should I Handle My Own Chimney Cleaning?
As a homeowner, you probably try to save money by going the DIY route on certain tasks around the house.
And that’s a fine tactic when it comes to repainting the kitchen or planting some flowers around the front door.
But the truth is, chimney cleaning is not one of those jobs you can do on your own without careful training.
For one thing, it’s hard to see far enough up the chimney to determine whether there’s a blockage. And since an obstruction could lead to fires and other problems, it’s best to leave this job to the pros.
Plus, chimney cleaning is — unsurprisingly — a messy endeavor. Who hasn’t seen images of “Mary Poppins’” famed Bert the Chimney Sweep covered in soot?
If you want to protect your floors, carpets, and clothes from chimney dust, you probably want to consider calling in an expert to help.
Companies like Sunshine Chimney Cleaning, a division of General Services Corporation, have drop sheets and all the other supplies needed to keep your house sparkling clean while ensuring the job is done quickly, safely, and correctly.
Our Chimney Cleaning Process
If you’re considering hiring a chimney sweep service, you’re probably wondering what the job entails.
Our pros start by taping cloths around your fireplace so any soot is stopped in its tracks.
Next, we utilize a special chimney vacuum, wire brushes, and other tools to do the dirty work.
When necessary, we can attach the brushes to extension poles to clean the top of the chimney more effectively.
Starting at the top of the chimney, we work our way down, making sure the fireplace, damper, smoke chamber, and firebox are all clean and safe.
At the end of the day, all you’ll have to do is buy the wood for a big, crackling fire to settle in and enjoy the warmth.
Call a Trusted Chimney Sweep Service
If you’re looking for Boulder chimney cleaning services you can trust, look no further than Sunshine Chimney Cleaning, a division of General Services Corporation.
In business since 1985, we have the reputation and experience to ensure your chimney service is handled correctly the first time, every time.
Leave the chimney cleaning to the professionals and focus on the fun stuff – hanging up your stockings and putting out milk and cookies for the big guy. Contact us for your professional chimney cleaning today >