Austin, TX -- (SBWire) -- 05/11/2015 --According to studies from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, in excess of 25,000 house fires occur due to natural chimney buildup, resulting in an estimated 10 deaths and more than $100 million in property damage each year. Authorities indicate despite more than 30 percent of homes in America having functional fireplaces, the majority of homeowners are unaware of the dangers of improper chimney maintenance. In light of these statistics, Walter Clarke of Capitol Chimney has launched efforts to better educate the public on the importance of chimney cleaning.
Said Clarke, "A chimney is essentially the exhaust system for a home with a fireplace or wood stove. If it's not cleaned by a professional Chimney Sweep Austin, the results can be detrimental. Cleaning and inspection need to be carried out at least once each year for safety and efficiency reasons. We recommend scheduling these services during the spring or summer months. Following an entire winter of use is the perfect time to ensure your home is safe before you need to build your first fire of the following season."
Smoke generated by burning wood contains a number of chemicals and additional substances. Though they cannot be seen therein, they solidify once the smoke begins to cool. While some of these elements escape into the air outside, many of them accumulate along the chimney lining, forming a substance called creosote. This creosote buildup is the leading cause of chimney fires as it is more flammable than the wood burned to create it. A single spark holds the potential to create a fire that could spread throughout the entire home within a matter of minutes.
Creosote also attracts ashes and can lead to chimney blockage, bringing a secondary health and safety concern to the forefront. When this happens, the effect is much like that of a clogged drain. Just as water backs up into a sink or bathtub because of a clog, so will smoke back up into a home if the chimney is obstructed.
Concluded Clarke, "Calling in a Chimney Sweep New Braunfels for annual cleanings is vital to maintaining safety, but having the lining and exterior components inspected is equally crucial. Should the lining become worn or damaged, the fire can spread to other parts of the home. External damage may reduce efficiency and structural integrity. We take extra precaution to ensure our customers' chimneys are completely safe for use when they're needed and use a hepa filtration system to prevent creosote particles from escaping into the homes we service."
About Capitol Chimney
With safety and professionalism in mind, the staff of Capitol Chimney vows to treat customers as if they were friends and family.
