Summer is finally here! Ballgames to take the kid to, holidays to spend with your family and the annual renovations are usually part of everyone’s summer schedule. There’s also one other thing that you might want to take care of before your summer vacation… your annual chimney inspection. We know that you won’t be using your fireplace and chimney over the summer. But a dirty chimney over the summer can only mean one thing, there will be even more dirt buildup and an even mustier smell when the summer temperatures go up and in the fall when the temperature cools off.

Chimneys can really smell over time and this can happen with yours especially when water leaks in from the rain. That lethal mix of water with ashes will give your fireplace a musty odor that you will be able to smell all through your entire house.

Another reason that you should get your chimney cleaned over the summer months is that you’ll get peace of mind from an expert chimney sweep that can be sure that no carbon monoxide or CO in your home. CO is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in your home including when you use your grill, fireplace, gas range, or furnace. Leaving your windows open will create circulation and ventilate your home. But many people run their air conditioning in the summer keeping CO in the home. CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it.

There is another reason that you should schedule your chimney cleaning and inspection before you take your summer vacation. Birds, raccoons and squirrels looking for a shelter tend to build them in confined spaces, such as a chimney. Animal droppings accumulate and make the odor that much stronger. If you do happen to light a fire and the animals can’t escape, they will burn. Or if the animal is trapped it will eventually die. It’s important that they are removed before that happens. Unlike other chimney contractors, we always deodorize a chimney after it has had its inspection.

When you have your chimney cleaned by American Fireplace technicians’, we perform a full inspection of your chimney. If we notice any damage such as a cracked chimney liner or water penetration, it will be much easier to fix during the summer months. Warmer summer weather will ensure that the chimney the work is performed under optimal conditions and that it is sealed correctly. Don’t become another unfortunate victim of a chimney fire. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission each year there are 22,300 residential chimney fires that occur in the fireplace, chimney and chimney connector. It doesn’t take long for a chimney fire to happen. The advantage of getting your chimney cleaned now is that you won’t have to worry about this happening to you.

By calling American Fireplace today you won’t have to wait, and you’ll get an appointment as soon as we can get out to your home. By scheduling an appointment in the summer, you’ll beat the September rush. Is there a better reason not to get your chimney cleaned before you take your summer vacation?