Can A Chimney Be Cleaned In Winter

Can A Chimney Be Cleaned In Winter

It’s that time of the year again, where you break out the wood and bring fire to life to keep you and your house warm. But what about the cleaning of the chimney? Here is everything you need to know about cleaning your chimney during winter time and why you should get chimney cleaning services.

Yes, You Can Get Your Chimney Cleaned

A chimney can be cleaned at any time of the year. During winter time, it’s better since the cleanup is fresh and it will last you an entire season. It is very important that you get your chimney cleaned by the time winter rolls around because then, the companies responsible for cleaning chimneys will cost a lot and since it will be last minute you will need to bite the bullet and get it done at any cost.

Regular Chimney Cleaning

The best thing to do for your chimney is a chimney sweep. A chimney sweep is basically the process of scraping down the dirt and grime from the walls of the chimney. This will prevent blocking of the air and your fireplace will thrive and warm up the place better too.

It is done with a long rod or sometimes, even a person can go in and scrape off the walls, if the chimney is big enough. It all depends on your fireplace and how big it is. Regardless, a chimney sweep is a very important task and it shouldn’t be put off hold for much longer.

Benefits Of Chimney Sweep

Here are some equally amazing benefits of a chimney sweep.

It Unclogs Your Fireplace

Your fireplace has a long chute which goes up to your roof, that is what a chimney is. The chimney helps to draw out any gases or fumes from the fireplace and out of the house. This is a long pipe which needs to be unclogged at all times. Think of it as a long tube, if there is any obstruction in the tube, it will not let anything out from the other end, which is why it needs to be cleaned and swept for it to be working correctly.

No More Creosote

Creosote is the black tar like substance which is attached to the walls of the chimney. It is a byproduct of burning wood and it deposits itself on the brick wall of the chimney. This is what needs to be scraped off from the walls. Too much deposit of creosote can lead to blockage of your chimney and it is not a good sign. Your chimney needs to have access to the roof at all times, otherwise the house will be filled with toxic smoke from the burning wood and this is not ideal.

The House Warms Up Better

When your chimney is clean, your house will be warmed a lot better. Since the circulation of the waste gases and smoke will be better, the wood will burn efficiently and there will be no buildup of smoke or gas in your house. This is one of the main reasons why a chimney should be swept at least once a year to make sure that your fireplace runs smoothly.

You will also notice that your fireplace will last for longer if you keep the chimney clean. The fireplace will work for years to come and there will be less and less malfunctioning

Call In An Expert

Last but not least, how do you clean a chimney? Well, you certainly don’t have to do it yourself, you can definitely call someone from a chimney cleaning company or contractor and they will happily do the job for you. All you need to do is to tell them exactly how you want the chimney to be cleaned. Whether you want a full-blown chimney clean up or just a sweep, this will be decided before the team starts working. A chimney sweep takes less than a couple of hours and you will be good to go.

There you have it! A clean chimney will ensure that your house isn’t choked and all of the smoke coming from the burning wood goes straight to the chimney and out of the house. Hire chimney sweep services Ellicott City if you want to clean your chimney in winter because they have the right tools to perform it safely.

How To Remodel Your Chimney And Fireplace

How To Remodel Your Chimney And Fireplace

Your chimney is an asset in your home along with a fireplace. If your fireplace is sitting alone and sad, needs repair and remodeling, then it’s time you give some thought into renovation and designing. If you have a perfectly working chimney, then it’s more than perfect as you can totally focus on the aesthetics. But first, hire a chimney cleaning service for a full sweep.

An impressive and attractive fireplace can actually add value to your homes. Some people tend to decorate and design their fireplaces even though they don’t need it. There are many ways you can completely remodel your hearth to make it as good as new.

Cleaning

The first important step is the cleanup. You need to call in a chimney sweep to do the complete cleanup of your chimney by clearing away the soot, dust and ashes. Cleanup will make a whole lot of difference and you will be able to do remodeling much better.

Paint

If you have the traditional bricks in your fireplace and you need to give a new look without changing, then you can white wash or limewash your bricks. It will give a new feel. You can go for either, if you prefer a modern look then go for white wash while limewash give a natural rustic appearance. If you do not like the red color of the bricks then you can paint them to look completely new.

If you have a wooden fireplace, then you can also get a paint job done and give a new look.

Install Tiles Or Any Other Siding

Tiles or any other siding will give an instant uplift to your fireplace. Nowadays, the trend is to install exterior and interior tiles both. You can go for a wide array of patterns and designs and install tiles.

Install A New Mantle

A new mantle installed in your fireplace is an excellent renovation choice. You need to get it constructed so you can either go for a carved beautiful vintage design or a stylish contemporary design. The mantle is the basis of your fireplace and will give the most visual appeal so it should be something out of ordinary and which immediately draws the attention of the viewer. Search the internet and get your dream mantle designed.

Create A Vintage Look

If you are into old school and vintage appearance, then you can make your fireplace look expensive. Install wooden boards and wooden planks on the hearth. Paint the surroundings in fascinating rustic color. Make the room look conventional by placing an animal skin rug near the fireplace, a small rack of books and magazines, a small table and rocking wooden chair and you are all set for the aesthetic rustic look.

Similarly, if you want to give a modern touch then a simple plain fireplace painted in solid colors with a glass door would look elegant. Paint the wall behind the fireplace in pastels and add some artistic paintings or frames with a stylish wall clock and a modern sofa set and you are done.

Get A Panel Installed

A panel above your mantle is a great idea. You can either install a huge round mirror or many different types of paintings and frames. Family photographs are a great idea and will make the place look homely and inviting. You can design the panel in many ways and can also use it as a storage place by installing racks and cabinets.

Stylize Your Mantle

Your mantle is the highlight of your fireplace and you can dress it up the way you want. You can either go for DIY options or get it professionally made and then give your personal touches. You can decorate it with cute decoration items, artificial flowers and small plants, photo frames, candles and whatever you want. The idea is to make sure that your fireplace looks amazing.

You are the mastermind behind the renovation of your house and you can design your fireplace as you please. Whether you go for vintage or modern, it’s completely your choice. It should look aesthetically pleasing to the eye and admired by the onlookers. Look for masons or chimney contractors Columbia MD for chimney repair or remodeling. You can also take suggestions from other people in the house if they are interested in it.