If you have a fireplace in your house, whether it is wood burning or gas, it is a good idea to have the chimney cleaned at least once a year. Chimneys that don’t get cleaned regularly can cause all kinds of issues. This can include strange smells and smoke backing up into your house. Here are three common problems that present with chimneys and why cleaning is so important.

Bird Habitation

When the cold season is over and you stop using your fireplace regularly, birds often like to take up residence. As birds move in, they will build their nests within the chimney and flue. These nests can cause damage to the equipment. Also, the nests will block airflow which can cause your fireplace to not work as well and even allow smoke to back up into your house. To prevent this, it’s a good idea to contact someone for chimmney cleaning in Washington DC.

Creosote Buildup

If you have a wood burning fireplace, one danger is creosote deposits. Creosote is a thick, oily liquid that is produced from burning logs. This material can build up inside your chimney and flue. Creosote on its own can be harmful. One particular side effect of creosote buildup is a bad odor emanating from your fireplace. This bad smell is usually compounded in the summer when the humidity gets higher. Having your chimney cleaned will eliminate this smell.

Blockages

One of the biggest reasons to have your chimney cleaned regularly is to eliminate blockages. Whether from bird nests, other animal nests, mineral buildup or even damaged components, blocked chimneys are a dangerous thing. Blockages allow the smoke that is supposed to flow upward to back up into the home. To eliminate this dangerous hazard, have your chimney cleaned annually.

Fireplaces are great to have, especially during the cold winter months. To avoid having problems when the winter chill arrives, have your chimney serviced regularly.