PEAK TO PEAK - It’s that time of year again. The air is crisper, the nights are colder, and all you want to do is sit by the fireplace with a warm drink looking out at an early snowfall. But as with all things, your chimney requires proper maintenance in order for it to work efficiently and safely. 

A chimney works through a process called convection. This process creates a pressure change when the warm air from the fire rises and causes a draft. This draft pulls oxygen-rich air into the fire, fueling it, while poisonous gases are released outside your home. 

As a chimney goes through this constant process, a build up of debris slowly forms. The most common debris is soot and creosote, a dark and oily substance that sticks to the inside of your chimney that forms from the incomplete burning of coal and wet wood. This buildup can be dangerous for a variety of reasons. 

One reason is that the buildup affects the flow of gas through your chimney. It blocks the smoke from flowing straight up, through, and out the chimney. A proper airflow promotes efficiency of burning fuel, which can lead to energy saving. But years of built-up debris can change that, and it can lead to serious health and safety issues. 

The debris clinging to your chimney can also cause a fire. Soot and creosote are highly flammable, and a small quantity of this debris can catch on fire in the chimney. The chance of a fire increases as creosote hardens and becomes more tar-like. 

This sort of fire can spread very quickly throughout the house due to the intensely high temperatures chimneys reach. 

A chimney also emits a variety of gases. These include carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and carbon monoxide. As a clogged chimney affects the efficiency of the outflow of smoke, it can also increase the likelihood of these gases getting into your home. 

The build up of debris can backdraft the poisonous gases inside instead of venting them outside, causing dangerous carbon monoxide to build up. Being unable to see or smell this gas, it can be very dangerous and even lethal. A clean chimney will keep good air quality in your home. 

It is advised to get your chimney cleaned at least once a year, if not more with heavy use. If you are unsure that you need your chimney cleaned, you can get it inspected. An inspection can also evaluate the integrity of the chimney, checking for problems like cracks, which can also be caused by the build up of creosote and other debris.

So complete your winter season preparations with a good chimney clean, staying safe and warm for the holidays.