Understanding the Health Benefits of Regular Chimney Sweeping
Keep your family safe this winter with Chimney Sweeping
Did you know your chimney could be poisoning your family?
According to statistics, almost 400 people per year die from carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States.
Want to know how this happens?
Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that is both odorless and invisible, meaning you won’t even know you’re in danger.
Most people think of chimney sweeping as a fire-prevention service, but did you know that cleaning your chimney can also prevent these gases from harming the health of your family?
Keep reading this article to learn more about the health benefits of chimney sweeping for your home!
What you’re about to discover:
- Why Chimney Health Matters More Than You Think
- The Silent Killer Living in Your Chimney
- How Dirty Chimneys Make You Sick
- Respiratory Problems From Chimney Neglect
- Real Health Benefits of Professional Chimney Maintenance
Why Chimney Health Matters More Than You Think
A chimney has more health-related benefits than most homeowners realize.
When you light a fire, it releases harmful gases as a by-product. The chimney’s job is to vent these gases up and out of your home.
If your chimney is not regularly cleaned and inspected, the fumes have nowhere to go. They will end up back in your living room or wherever you are using your fireplace.
How often do you and your family members breathe the air inside your home?
If your chimney is not well-kept and you are breathing in the pollutants each day, you are living in a toxic environment.
The scary part is that this is an ongoing problem in homes across the country. But it doesn’t have to be this way!
Regular chimney maintenance by expert chimney sweeps nearby is a surefire way to prevent these health issues from ever becoming a problem.
The Silent Killer Living in Your Chimney
Carbon monoxide is no laughing matter!
Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that has killed many people over the years and over 100,000 people visit emergency rooms each year because of it.
Carbon monoxide is even more dangerous because:
- It is invisible
- It is odorless
- It is tasteless
- The early symptoms are just like the flu
Most people do not realize that they are in danger until it is too late.
Carbon monoxide is so toxic because the gas enters the bloodstream in place of oxygen. It suffocates your organs until you pass away.
If you think about how often you use your chimney, then you can see the problem at hand.
Children and the elderly are at an even higher risk because their small bodies and organs cannot fight the effects of the poisoning as well as a healthy adult.
Regular chimney sweeping is the only solution.
Cleaning your chimney regularly will ensure that there are no blockages or buildup that could cause the gas to leak back into your home.
In other words, chimney sweeping is the difference between breathing clean air and breathing poison.
How Dirty Chimneys Make You Sick
This is something that many homeowners don’t realize.
Creosote is a black, tar-like substance that coats the inside of your chimney each time you light a fire.
The substance is not only a hazard for chimney fires but can be a hazard to your health as well.
When there is a lot of buildup, the tar will release toxic fumes into the air inside your home.
These fumes can cause serious health problems because they contain:
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Particulate matter
- Volatile organic compounds
- Carcinogenic compounds
The exposure to these harmful toxins can lead to:
Constant headaches. Unexplained fatigue and weakness. Dizziness and nausea. Respiratory irritation and coughing.
Sound familiar? A lot of homeowners live with these symptoms month after month without ever realizing the problem is their chimney.
As time goes on and more and more creosote builds up, then more and more toxins will be released into the air you breathe.
Respiratory Problems From Chimney Neglect
Respiratory problems and illnesses are one of the most common health effects of a dirty chimney.
If the chimney is not well-kept and does not ventilate correctly, the smoke and particulate matter will get trapped inside your home.
Every time you breathe, you are inhaling small particles of matter that will irritate your lungs and airways.
This can lead to:
- Chronic coughing and wheezing
- Worsened asthma symptoms
- Bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses
- Long-term lung damage (in severe cases)
The respiratory systems of children are much more sensitive than that of adults. If you have noticed your child coughing more when they are at home, it may be because your chimney is not well-kept.
Here’s something that you may not know…
If you have a blocked chimney, this can also be the cause of your respiratory problems. Blocked chimneys can occur as a result of bird’s nests, leaves, and other debris.
Blocked chimneys prevent your furnace or water heater gases from being properly ventilated.
This means that the gases can back up into your home.
A professional chimney sweep will make sure there are no blockages and that the chimney is properly ventilated.
Doing so can help to prevent your family from having respiratory issues.
Real Health Benefits of Professional Chimney Maintenance
The good news is that professional chimney maintenance can have numerous health benefits for you and your family.
When you take the time to have your chimney cleaned and inspected on a regular basis, here is what you can expect:
Cleaner Indoor Air Quality
Having a clean chimney also means that you will have cleaner air throughout your entire home.
You will immediately notice the difference.
Your home will have less dust and smell less. You will also breathe easier.
In addition, your HVAC system will be more effective and efficient.
This is because it will not have to work as hard when your chimney is well-ventilated.
Protection From Carbon Monoxide
The most important health benefit that you can get is the peace of mind of knowing that your family is safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Did you know that over 25,000 chimney fires take place each year in the US?
This is the equivalent of two chimney fires every hour! Most of these chimney fires are caused by a lack of chimney maintenance and inspection.
Professional chimney sweeps will inspect your chimney for any cracks, damages, or issues that could potentially let carbon monoxide seep into your home.
Detecting these issues early can save lives.
Reduced Respiratory Issues
A clean chimney means fewer respiratory issues for every member of your household.
If someone in your home has asthma, they will experience fewer attacks.
Your children will also cough less. Your pets will even breathe easier too!
The difference is night and day for families who schedule regular chimney inspections and cleanings.
They report that they take fewer sick days and have fewer doctor visits.
The return on investment on chimney maintenance is returned in the reduced cost of healthcare.
Better Overall Health
When you are not inhaling pollutants and toxins every day, you and your entire family will be much healthier.
In fact, you will experience:
- More energy throughout the day
- Improved sleep at night
- Fewer headaches and fatigue
- An improved immune system function
Think of chimney sweeping as preventive healthcare for your home.
Just as you go to the doctor for regular checkups, your chimney also needs regular professional checkups.
Making Chimney Health a Priority
If you think that chimney sweeping is only beneficial for preventing chimney fires, then think again.
The health benefits of a well-kept chimney can protect your family in more ways than one.
Do not wait for a problem to occur.
The majority of chimney experts recommend an annual chimney inspection and cleaning.
If you use your fireplace quite often, then you may even need more frequent chimney cleanings.
Schedule your next appointment today, and start experiencing the health benefits of a clean chimney in your home.
Remember that chimney sweeping is not only for the prevention of chimney fires.
