Chimney fires put your house and everyone in it in danger. It’s important to know what steps you can take to prevent them and how to tell if one has occurred to protect you and your loved ones from any harm.

What causes a chimney fire?

A multitude of reasons can cause a chimney fire. One of the most common ways one can start is excess debris catching fire, unseasoned wood, strict air supply, or overloading the firebox.

How to prevent a chimney fire

The most effective way to prevent a chimney fire is to have your chimney inspected and or swept. A professional will be able to spot potential problems before they become bigger issues. However, something you can personally do is avoid situations that might cause excessive creosote.

Dangers of Chimney fires

There are plenty of dangers that come along with a chimney fire, one of which is that it creates a pathway for carbon monoxide to enter your home, which can be deadly. Other dangers caused by chimney fires are heat damage to walls and ceilings, cause liners to collapse, and make your wood framing vulnerable to burning down.

Signs you had a chimney fire

Chimney fires are often quiet and go unnoticed until the damage has already been done. After a chimney fire occurs, you will probably notice heat damage to tv dishes and antennas, cracks in masonry around the chimney, damaged or melted roofing, puffy pieces of creosote, or cracked flue tiles.

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