Do gas fireplace chimneys need cleaning? This is a common question we receive from gas fireplace owners. Like wood-burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces and their chimneys also need to be cared for and maintained regularly. When it comes to wood-burning fireplaces, the Chimney Safety Institute of American (CSIA) recommends owners have their chimneys cleaned annually.
Gas fireplaces and their chimneys require cleaning just as often as their wood-burning counterparts. When it comes to gas fireplaces and chimneys, they present different problems than those of wood-burning fireplaces. You should know these issues so that you can live a safer and healthier life.
That said, gas fireplaces and chimneys offer a significantly higher amount of convenience than any wood-burning fireplace. You can start a fire with the turn of a switch on a gas fireplace. You’ll get a realistic-looking fire and a lot of heat in just seconds. Wood-burning fireplaces take longer to start while also requiring wood to burn. Gathering the wood leads to more money and time being wasted. As a result, many look to gas fireplaces.
Do Gas Fireplace Chimneys Need Cleaning?
Yes, gas fireplace chimneys need cleaning like wood-burning fireplaces and chimneys. You should have your gas chimney cleaned every year to prevent the build-up of acidic substances in your chimney. In wood-burning fireplaces, creosote let off by the burning wood condenses and sticks to the flue of the chimney. Over time, it builds up and needs to be removed from the sides of the chimney.
In gas chimneys, natural gas lets off corrosive substances that build up along the flue of the chimney. The longer these substances remain, the more damage they can do to your fireplace. For that reason, an annual inspection and cleaning are recommended.
Problems With Gas Fireplaces
The CSIA mentions two significant problems associated with high-efficiency gas appliances: condensation and incomplete combustion. Both of these issues are associated with low chimney temperatures. High-efficiency gas appliances extract the heat that would normally go up the chimney and send it to the home. Subsequently, the chimney temperature lowers, creating condensation and complete combustion.
You may think these issues don’t sound all that bad, but they put your chimney and your health at risk. Condensation, or water in general, is extremely detrimental to a variety of different materials. Water can deteriorate your chimney bricks at a significant rate. Brick spalling is a common sign of water damage that should be addressed as soon as possible.
As for incomplete combustion, the serious issue is carbon monoxide poisoning. The lack of combustion allows for the fireplace to create carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless, toxic gas. An estimated 50,000 Americans are rushed to the emergency room for carbon monoxide poisoning, while about 450 people die each year.
Caring for your gas fireplace chimney is essential in maintaining your own health. Failing to clean your chimney on an annual basis will create significant problems that may impact you. Fresh Air Duct Cleaning knows the importance of cleaning chimneys, which is why our team offers affordable chimney cleaning services.
Contact Fresh Air Duct Cleaning
The team at Fresh Air Duct Cleaning offers professional fireplace and chimney cleanings. Our chimney sweeps will remove the acidic substances from your chimney. We work with all types of chimneys and fireplaces, so do not hesitate to contact us.
You can reach our team by calling (214) 272-9715 or visit our contact us page to fill out the form. In either case, our team will reach out to you to schedule a chimney sweep and inspection. It is vital you care for your chimney so your home remains safe and healthy for your loved ones. You may also visit our chimney sweep service page to learn more about our services. We look forward to working with you!