Having a fireplace in your home can be a wonderful luxury. Whether you have a traditional fire burning fireplace, and love that smoky smell in the autumn and winter time, or if you have a gas fireplace that you can easily turn on and warm up by whenever you please, fireplaces are wonderful amenities to a home. If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace, do not let it get ruined by forgetting about having a routine fireplace cleaning.
Fireplaces can easily become dangerous hazards if they are not attended to properly. The best way to keep your fireplace safe and effective is by having a regular maintenance fireplace cleaning at least once a year. The most frequent problem that comes from a dirty, clogged, inefficient fireplace is that smoke will not filter out of your house through the chimney but will stay down and fill your house. Now, some of the maintenance and cleaning that your fireplace needs can be done by you, if you so desire, however, for more complex repairs and cleaning, do not hesitate to call a professional to get the job done.
One easy thing that you can do yourself to help your chimney is to install and maintain a protective rain cap or guard at the top of your chimney. This will stop leaves and debris from falling down into your chimney and causing clogs and buildup. Leaves in your chimney can be one of the reasons smoke would back up into your home. Make sure to check your guard at least once a year before you start really lighting fires for the season. Clear it free of any leaves that have collected around it. You may also need a wire mesh screen to cover the chimney if little bits of debris are still getting through the rain guard.
However, if that does not seem to solve your problems, there could be a more serious issue at hand that needs a professional fix. If the chimney was constructed poorly, a professional would be needed to help fix or revamp your chimney. There may be a problem with the air flow through the chimney, due to several factors, which a professional can help identify and solve.
If you do find yourself needing professional help with your chimney and fireplace, or if you need a good, thorough fireplace cleaning, be sure to hire a reputable and reliable company. Check their licensing and qualifications, as well as the number of years the company has been in business. Fireplaces are a wonderful luxury, so keep yours clean and ready to use.