With the longer days and warmer nights, you’ve likely already forgotten about your fireplace or woodstove for another season.
Thing is, this is exactly when you should be thinking about it.
The best time to schedule the recommended annual cleaning and inspection for these home heating units is when use winds down for the season, explains Andrew Simpson, owner of Saanich’s WETT-certified Aero Furnace, Duct and Chimney Cleaning.
“Once the weather starts to cool in the fall, people begin using their fireplaces and woodstoves without taking the time to have them cleaned and inspected, and that can pose a risk,” Simpson explains. “If you look after the maintenance now, at the end of the season, it will be ready to go when you need it.”
Why inspect?
“When a fireplace or wood-burning unit is working properly, smoke is drawn up the chimney and into the outside air,” Simpson explains. “Particles in the smoke – called soot or creosote – collect on the inside of the chimney and fireplace. Creosote is flammable and when a sufficient amount builds up, cleaning is needed to reduce the chance of a chimney fire.”
For this reason, fire officials recommend homeowners who use a use a fireplace or woodstove to heat their home have it professionally inspected and cleaned annually.
Indoor air quality is also affected by a dirty chimney.
Build-up may also cause the fireplace or woodstove not to draw well, so smoke may drift or billow into the room. Soot build-up, particularly right above the fireplace in the “smoke shelf,” is the most common cause of a chimney not drawing properly, in addition to improper construction.
“But if the fireplace worked well at one time but is now drawing poorly, you can assume a good cleaning will restore it to working order again,” Simpson says.
Why choose a professional?
With the safety of your home and family at stake, it’s important to choose a qualified professional to clean and inspect your chimney.
“Being WETT – Wood Energy Technical Testing – certified, we have the training to properly sweep your chimney, recognize problems and issues, and conduct WETT inspections. It’s the only chimney sweep training recognized by insurance companies,” Simpson emphasizes.
The comprehensive evaluation of your wood-burning unit and chimney is often required for homeowners to receive insurance coverage on their unit.
“We provide a full report and a letter for your insurance company. We also complete any forms your insurance company may require, and let you know what shape the chimney is in and suggest any improvements.”
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With friendly, skilled and non-commissioned staff, locally owned Aero Furnace Duct and Chimney Cleaning – a BBB Torch Award finalist – is Greater Victoria’s go-to choice.