When the time comes for annual chimney spring cleaning, many homeowners have other things that they would like to spend their money on. With the summer months on the horizon, they feel like doing it themselves would be a great way to save a few dollars for their upcoming vacations. However, cleaning the chimney without a professional can pose many risks which could ruin not only the summer but a great deal of time in the future.
When someone considers doing their own chimney spring cleaning, many people do not realize what they may find up there. It may seem as though there should only be a bit of soot and ash built up in the chimney but there is most likely more than that. When wood and coal burn, they leave behind a chemical compound called creosote which can be extremely dangerous. There is also always the possibility that a family of small animals have made their home in the chimney. These issues should only be handled by someone who is trained for them.
It is also important to keep in mind that properly cleaning a chimney requires a person to climb up on to the roof. Although this may not seem like a big deal, it is actually extremely dangerous. No matter how careful an untrained person is, it is still likely that they will misstep and take a dangerous fall. This could result in serious injury and, in the worst cases, death. Someone who is trained to clean chimneys will also know how to properly navigate the roof to avoid injury.
All dangers and health risks aside, nobody but a trained chimney sweep is capable of getting the job done properly. Cleaning a chimney properly requires not only specialized equipment but also a specific technique. Someone who tries to do it on their own will find that they have not completed the job efficiently and will most likely need to call in a professional anyway.
There are many jobs that homeowners can enjoy doing themselves when the time comes for spring cleaning. However, cleaning the chimney is one that should definitely be left to the professionals. They will have the tools and skills to get the job done right and can complete it without putting themselves or anyone else in harm’s way.
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