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Get Your Chimney Swept for the Holidays

If you mostly use your fireplace during the holiday season, you should schedule an appointment for a professional chimney sweeping and inspection before the holidays begin. Many fire safety organizations like the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommend having chimneys professionally swept and inspected annually before you light the first fire of the year. This maintenance service is essential to be sure every part of your fireplace and chimney system are working effectively and safely. During the holidays, you do not need to worry about chimney fires and carbon monoxide leaks, and Atlas Chimney will clean and inspect your fireplace and chimney to find any potential problems and hazards.

Why is it so important to have my chimney cleaned and inspected every year?

Get Your Chimney Swept for the Holidays - Austin TX - Atlas ChimneyThe main reason your chimney needs to be swept regularly is to have all of the accumulated creosote removed from the inside of your chimney. Creosote forms naturally as a result of the combustion process of burning wood. Creosote can vary in color and texture, but no matter if it is black or brown or hard and shiny, flaky and brittle, or sticky and gummy, this natural compound is extremely flammable. The number one cause of chimney fires, creosote ignites easily if the internal flue temperature reaches a high enough point. Our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps will guarantee the removal of every deposit of creosote from your chimney when cleaning your chimney.

Your chimney should also be inspected every year to be sure there is no damage that could make your fireplace unsafe to use. If we find any damage during our inspection, we will make recommendations for repairs that are necessary for the safety of your fireplace and chimney. We also look for any debris, such as bird or animal nests and leaves, that could be blocking the flue. When your flue is blocked, carbon monoxide can be forced back into your home, which is a very dangerous situation.

What can I expect from a chimney sweeping and inspection from Atlas Chimney?

Our CSIA-certified chimney sweeps will begin by covering the area around your fireplace with tarps to protect your home from getting dirty during the sweeping process. We also set up special vacuums to keep any soot and dust from getting into your home at all. We will loosen up the dirt and accumulations of creosote from the walls of your chimney and then vacuum up all of the residue. We will then inspect the accessible areas of the inside and outside of your chimney to look for damage and blockages. You will receive a written report of the findings of our inspection.

Get your fireplace ready for the holidays. Contact us at 512-CHIMNEY (512-244-6639) to make an appointment to get your chimney swept and inspected today.

Carbon Monoxide Safety

When it comes to fireplace and chimney safety, there is more to talk about than simply chimney fires. Of course, you should always be aware of the signs of a chimney fire and of the ways to prevent this hazardous situation, but you should not forget about other dangers that could be lurking within your chimney. One of these dangers is carbon monoxide poisoning. The National Safety Council has reported that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that more than 400 people die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning every year in this country. Even more alarming, more than 20,000 Americans end up in the emergency room from breathing in this toxic gas, and 4,000 people must be further hospitalized. Known as “the silent killer,” carbon monoxide is very dangerous because you cannot taste, smell, or see this gas if it leaks into your home. Atlas Chimney would like to tell you more about carbon monoxide and how you can prevent being poisoned by this byproduct of combustion.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon Monoxide Safety - Austin TX - Atlas ChimneyThe symptoms can vary, depending on how much exposure you have had to carbon monoxide. Low to moderate levels of exposure can show symptoms of nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Since these symptoms are so much like the ones of the flu or a common cold, low-level carbon monoxide poisoning can be difficult to diagnose. If you continue to inhale carbon monoxide, your symptoms can become more severe, including mental confusion, vomiting, loss of coordination, loss of consciousness, and death. If you are suffering from the symptoms of low-level carbon monoxide poisoning for longer than two weeks, you may want to ask your doctor for a blood test to see if any carbon monoxide can be found in your system.

How can I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?

Since carbon monoxide is basically invisible, the best way to prevent this poisoning is to install carbon monoxide detector alarms throughout your home. You will want to put these alarms outside of every bedroom, in the rooms with heating appliances, and on every level of your home. Other ways of preventing carbon monoxide poisoning include having a professional chimney sweeping and inspection every year, not using portable flameless chemical heaters indoors, and having all gas appliances serviced annually.

What should I do if the carbon monoxide detector alarm sounds?

When you hear this alarm go off, do not ignore it! You should move everyone in the house outside to breathe fresh air and immediately contact your local emergency services. Be sure everyone in your household has been accounted for, and wait for the emergency responders to let you know when you can go back into your house.

Want to know more carbon monoxide safety tips? Contact Atlas Chimney at 512-CHIMNEY to find out how we can help you prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in your home.

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