Spring Cleaning: Fireplace and Dryer Vent Maintenance

While you are jumping into spring cleaning around your home or business, it’s important to remember your fireplace and dryer vents. Proper cleaning and maintenance of your fireplace and dryer vents is essential for efficiency and safety.

Your Fireplace

Spring is a great time to have your fireplace cleaned for a couple reasons. First, warm air in a dirty, moist chimney can cause odors to permeate your home. Second, spring begins the off-season of most chimney sweep companies. Third, spring begins animal nesting season, and animals love to take shelter in the safety of a chimney. Unfortunately animals nesting in a chimney can be quite a nuisance, and can cause damage to and blockage in the chimney system. During a chimney sweep with a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep® (CCS) any animals, leaks, or damage will be discovered.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends regular chimney cleanings, and annual chimney inspections for safe and efficient use of fireplace and chimney.

Your Dryer Vent

Your dryer vent cleaning and maintenance is just as important as your fireplace, and often overlooked. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) educates and trains professionals and certifies them for safety standards in chimney safety, AND dryer exhaust through the CSIA C-DET certification.

Cleaning your dryer vent is not as simple as just removing the lint from the lint trap. The dryer vent itself needs to have adequate air flow to allow for safe operation. The dryer will also work less efficiently if the dryer vent isn’t cleaned regularly. During these regular cleanings other problems can be discovered and dealt with.

• Animal Nesting
  Animals often seek shelter in the warmth and protection of a dryer vent. They can block the air flow through the vent, as well as leave nesting material in the vent that can be highly flammable.
• Leaking Ducts
  When dryer ducts are stretched through the house they can become damaged and leak. If they are held together with tape, the adhesive can come loose with high temperatures, and also leak. These leaks cause a lack of air flow, and can lower the efficiency of the dryer itself.
• Carbon Monoxide
  Although there may not be a fire in your dryer vent, a blockage may be releasing carbon monoxide into your home. Carbon monoxide is undetectable and can cause brain and organ damage, and even death.

When to Call the Professionals

Don’t wait until there’s a problem with your fireplace or dryer vent to call a professional. Part of home maintenance includes keeping up with regular cleanings and inspections to prevent problems before they happen.

While you are spring cleaning, don’t forget to schedule your cleaning and inspection for your fireplace and dryer vent. Fire safety starts with prevention, and prevention can save your money, damage, and possibly your life. If you’re a homeowner in Suffolk County and are ready to have your fireplace and dryer vent cleaned, call Chief Chimney Services today !