Arguably, the most important thing to remember is that a chimney fire should never be left to burn itself out. They require immediate action.
When it comes to chimney fires, Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service doesn’t leave you up in smoke. Sure, we provide comprehensive chimney and fireplace repair and maintenance services, but we are also here to help educate you on fireplace safety and chimney fire prevention.
What Causes Chimney Fires?
The main culprit that makes up about 90% of chimney fires is creosote. Creosote is what naturally occurs when wood doesn’t burn completely. Smoke and vapors rise up the chimney, and as they cool, they condense and turn into a sticky, tar-like substance (creosote). The longer you go in between chimney sweeps, the thicker and more flammable the creosote becomes.
Other causes of chimney fires might include:
- Blocked Flues: If you happen to be missing a chimney cap, animals have likely set up shop in your chimney. Their nesting materials or other debris that has fallen into the chimney can prevent smoke and fumes from venting properly, eventually leading to overheating and even a fire.
- Faulty Construction: A poorly built or improperly maintained chimney may develop cracks or gaps that allow sparks or flames to escape and ignite nearby combustible materials.
- Burning the Wrong Materials: Using flammable materials like trash, leaves, pine cones, or any other material other than dry, seasoned firewood can cause sparks to shoot up the flue and ignite the creosote deposits.
Understanding the root causes of chimney fires is important for preventing potential disasters. With help from Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service, we can help eliminate that risk in order to keep your home and family safer.
What To Do if You Have a Chimney Fire
In order to ensure everyone’s safety and to help minimize damage, follow these steps if you experience a chimney fire:
- Get Everyone to Safety: The first priority is to evacuate everyone from the house in a calm and efficient manner. Sometimes chimney fires remain in the chimney, and other times, they spread to other areas of the house. It’s important to get your loved ones and pets to a safe location.
- Contact the Fire Department: Call 9-1-1 and wait for help to arrive. Even though it might be tempting to run back in and help extinguish the fire by closing the draft or putting out the fire in the firebox, the fire department are the only people that are equipped to handle chimney fires safely.
- Schedule Chimney Inspection: Before you resume using your fireplace, you must have it looked over. A certified chimney technician will assess the damages, perform necessary repairs, and let you know when it is safe to use again. You can schedule your chimney inspection with Mr. Smokestack Chimney Services by calling 919-747-1859 or by contacting us directly on our website.
How to Prevent Chimney Fires From Occurring?
Chimney fires aren’t just a potential threat to your home and family’s safety, but also a terrifying experience for any homeowner. The intense heat and roaring flames within the confined space of the chimney can escalate quickly, causing panic and fear. To prevent this nightmare from occurring, we recommend the following things:
- Schedule Regular Sweeps & Inspections: The best way to help prevent chimney fires is by keeping up with regular maintenance services. Chimney inspections allow us to thoroughly examine your chimney and flue for any damage, cracks, or blockages that could pose a fire hazard, while sweeps remove creosote buildup and other debris that can ignite and cause a chimney fire.
- Use Dry, Seasoned Hardwood Only: Wet or green wood burns less efficiently, produces more smoke, and can lead to faster creosote buildup in the chimney. Instead, opt for hardwoods like oak, maple, ash, or birch that have been seasoned for at least a year.
- Maintain Proper Airflow: Because proper airflow helps to prevent creosote from forming, you must keep the damper open and your flue clear to provide adequate air to your fire.
- Clean Soot Regularly: Soot is a flammable material. Get in the habit of regularly cleaning and safely disposing of the soot to help reduce the risk of a chimney fire.
- Avoid Flammable Materials: Speaking of flammable materials, keep the area around the chimney or stove clear of debris, decorations, and flammable materials to help prevent accidental fires. We recommend a non-combustible zone extending at least six feet around the fireplace opening. This includes things like furniture, rugs, curtains, extra firewood, and even mantle decor.
Keep Your Fireplace Safer All Year Round – Work With Us
There’s no need to search for “chimney sweep near me.” Just contact Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service! Our expertise goes beyond chimney fire prevention… We also offer a comprehensive range of chimney and fireplace services that you can count on time and time again. From simple maintenance services to extensive repairs, Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service is here for you.
Give us a call at 919-747-1859 or request an appointment on our website today.
