How Often Should I Get My Gas Flue Swept?

What Are the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Exposure?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can be extremely dangerous if inhaled. What can happen if too much exposure occurs?

• Headaches & Dizziness: Even low levels of CO can cause headaches and dizziness – even nausea. These symptoms are often mistaken for the flu, which can delay proper diagnosis and treatment.
• Fatigue and Weakness: Prolonged exposure can lead to a general feeling of tiredness and weakness, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks.
• Chest Pain: People with heart conditions may experience chest pain and increased risk of heart complications.
• Confusion & Impaired Judgment: CO interferes with the delivery of oxygen to the brain, leading to confusion, impaired judgment, and difficulty concentrating.
• Loss of Consciousness: High levels of exposure can cause a person to lose consciousness, which is especially dangerous if no one is around to help.

And all of these can lead to long-term health issues, such as brain damage (impacting things like memory, cognition, and overall brain function) or cardiovascular issues (like an increased risk of heart disease and similar issues).

But, of course, the most severe risk is coma and death. It’s because of this that carbon monoxide is often referred to as the “silent killer” – because its symptoms are easily overlooked until it’s too late.

What Is the Freeze/Thaw Cycle?

The freeze/thaw process is a natural cycle that occurs when water repeatedly freezes and thaws. This process can have significant effects on various materials, particularly your chimney flue.

Here’s an overview of how the freeze/thaw process works:

• Water enters cracks and pores (through rainfall, melting snow, etc.) in the materials making up your chimney or flue.
• When the temperature drops below freezing, the water inside the material begins to freeze, and as water freezes, it expands by about 9% – increasing in volume and exerting pressure on the surrounding material.
• The expansion of freezing water can cause cracks and fractures in the material to widen. This process is especially detrimental to porous materials, which can absorb more water and thus experience greater expansion and pressure.
• When the temperature rises above freezing, the ice melts back into water. The thawing process can cause the material to contract and lose some of the structural integrity that was compromised during freezing.
• Repeated cycles of freezing and thawing amplify the damage, as the material undergoes constant stress, cracking, and movement. Over time, this can lead to significant deterioration, weakening, and even failure of the material to do its job.

To minimize the damage caused by the freeze/thaw process, book that inspection with us every year. We’ll be able to see if any damage has occurred, then take proper steps to remedy it. We can also talk about preventive options, to ensure you don’t keep facing the same damage and issues down the line.

How Clogs Affect Draft & Flue Efficiency

Clogs in a chimney flue can have serious implications for the efficiency and safety of your fireplace or heating system. Here’s a detailed look at how clogs impact draft and flue efficiency:

• Restricted Airflow: Soot, creosote, and other debris can accumulate on the interior walls of the flue, narrowing the passage and restricting airflow. And things like bird nests, leaves, and other obstructions can block the flue entirely, preventing proper airflow.
• Reduced Draft: A clogged flue makes it harder for air to move up the chimney. This results in a weaker draft, which can cause smoke to enter the living space instead of being expelled outside.
• Incomplete Combustion: Poor draft can lead to incomplete combustion of fuel, reducing the efficiency of the fireplace and causing more creosote buildup, which further exacerbates the problem.
• Decreased Efficiency: When the flue is clogged, the fireplace or heating system has to work harder to draw air and expel gases. This can lead to increased fuel consumption as the system struggles to maintain the desired temperature., as well as uneven heating and poor distribution of heat throughout the home.
• Increased Emissions:  Proper draft and flue efficiency are crucial for safe and clean combustion. Inefficient combustion due to a clogged flue can lead to higher emissions of pollutants, contributing to environmental degradation.
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: As we discussed above, carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. Clogs can cause this gas to seep into the living space, putting occupants at risk of poisoning.
• Fire Hazards: Creosote is a highly flammable substance that accumulates in the flue. A significant buildup can ignite, causing a dangerous chimney fire.