With winter and the holidays approaching, you may be lighting up your fireplace for the first time this year. Chimney cleaning is an important part of making sure your hearth is safe for everyone, including Santa Claus! To keep everyone in your home warm and healthy, The Chimney Sweep has some fireplace tips for residents of Kernersville, NC, and the surrounding area.

Why are fireplace and chimney cleaning important? Soot buildup is unsightly and leads to excessive smoke, which can make you cough and affect your home’s air quality. That isn’t very festive! However, the real importance of cleaning is to show you issues with the chimney above. The structure can also accumulate creosote, which is a byproduct of wood burning that looks like tar. Creosote is a serious fire hazard and needs to be cleaned out for your family’s safety. You may also have repairs that need to be made, water damage that has built up over time, or even birds or animals in your chimney.

If the past year has been hard on your fireplace and chimney, don’t worry. A thorough chimney inspection and cleaning should have them ready for action again. If you need chimney relining or fireplace repair, you should address the issue before you start using the system regularly. Regular chimney maintenance going forward can prevent further issues; consider scheduling annual cleanings before the holidays to make it easier to remember and keep all of your celebrations cozy.

Is your home ready for Santa? If not, the Chimney Sweep is here to help make your Yuletide merry and bright. Reach them at (336) 993-8999 to set an appointment with a skilled inspector, and head to their website for a full list of services. You can keep up with their latest tips on Facebook and Twitter.