This is the time of the year when, as the temperatures drop, people turn to their fireplaces as a means to warm their houses. If, however, you haven’t turned on your fireplace since last spring, then this is also a great time to make sure that your hearth and chimney are going to be conducive to safety. To do that, you might consider the tips available in a new report.
The best thing you can do is hire a professional to come by and conduct a thorough check of the chimney. Although you may be able to do a spot check with some type of flue cleaner, such an inspection will likely pale in comparison to what a trained professional would be able to accomplish.
If creosote and other types of debris have clogged up the chimney, the heat and flames thrown off by the fireplace could cause an ignition that prompts a fire or even an explosion. That fire can get out of control, especially if the chimney passes near to a part of the home where there’s flammable substances present.
You also need to be able to ensure that no animals have entered your chimney and died. Their bodies may still be up there, and they could catch fire if not removed. You ought to verify that trees are trimmed if they’re overhanging the chimney, as those could catch fire too.