As great as it is to have a fireplace in your home, you do need to make sure that your chimney is in good working order. This is something that is often overlooked by homeowners, but it is very important to have your home’s chimney inspected at least once a year, preferably before you start using your fireplace in the winter. Here are just a few reasons why.

Creosote

Creosote is a substance that is produced whenever wood is burned. It can take the form of soft feathery ash or a sticky tar-like substance, but it will build up in your chimney over time. It is highly flammable, so having too much of it in your flue and chimney can be a problem. An annual inspection can help determine how much creosote has built up in your chimney, and a good chimney sweep can have the offending substance removed.

Brick and Mortar

A sturdy brick and mortar chimney should last for years, but that doesn’t mean it can’t take a lot of damage from the elements. Bricks can loosen and mortar can wear away, but an inspection can help determine whether your chimney is in need of repair.

Nests

A chimney that hasn’t seen a lot of use can sometimes make an attractive home for certain animals. Birds can build nests in them, and squirrels can even make their way inside them. There’s not a whole lot that you can do to stop a wild animal from settling into your chimney, but it should be gone before you decide to use your fireplace. Simply contact one of the many companies offering chimney inspection DC has to offer to make sure that nothing has made itself at home during the months your chimney wasn’t being used.