The Dangers of a Dirty Chimney

A fireplace is a nice thing to have when you’re at home during the winter season. But your fireplace also needs maintenance. Your chimney in particular needs to be cleaned at least once a year.

There are certain dangers your family may be exposed to if you disregard chimney cleaning. Here are some of the most common problems you might encounter if you don’t regularly call a chimney sweep.

Soot

When your fireplace has incomplete combustion, and the wood doesn’t burn at more than 284 degrees, powdery soot forms in your chimney and may sometimes be dislodged by the wind and enter your home. It is a lung irritant that can also lead to lung disease. If there are members of your household who have respiratory problems, soot can cause flare ups.

Creosote

Another byproduct of incomplete combustion is creosote, a black, oily substance that sticks and builds up in the chimney flue. Creosote typically produces a crackling and popping sound in the flue. 

It can irritate your skin and your eyes, but it can also lead to more serious health issues. Lung and respiratory issues can develop with creosote inhalation. Your kidneys and liver aren’t safe from it, either. In serious cases, creosote may cause confusion or trigger a seizure, and it may also lead to skin cancer.

Carbon Monoxide

This poisonous gas is colorless, odorless and tasteless, so it might be hard to detect unless you have a carbon monoxide detector near your fireplace. Insufficient oxygen that leads to incomplete combustion can cause the formation of carbon monoxide. 

If you experience flu-like symptoms that cannot be explained, it might be because your chimney is producing carbon monoxide. Over time, it may even cause brain damage and heart problems. Carbon monoxide is deadly, so it’s important to call a pro to inspect your chimney at least once a year. Your chimney might need cleaning or chimney relining.

Histoplasmosis

Histoplasma capsulatum is a kind of fungus that comes from bird droppings. It can cause histoplasmosis, a disease that may have similar symptoms as the flu. You might have trouble breathing because of chest pains and chronic coughing. You may also experience a fever accompanied by chills or profuse sweating. Some people with histoplasmosis lose appetite and weight.

Histoplasmosis traced back to bird droppings in the chimney is often due to chimney swifts. These are small, brownish-black birds that like to live in chimneys. They might be annoying, but what they leave behind is the true danger. 

Don’t let these dangers affect your home. Get in touch with Chimney Doctors, certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). We offer cleaning as well as chimney masonry repair. Call us today at (518) 882-5009, or fill out our form here. We clean and repair chimneys in Saratoga Springs, NY.