The Hidden Health Hazard Lurking in Your Rhode Island Home’s Chimney Could Be Making Your Family Sick

When Rhode Island homeowners think about chimney maintenance, they typically focus on preventing fires or ensuring proper heating efficiency. However, what many people don’t realize is that the filthy grime in a dirty chimney can negatively affect your health. By scheduling professional chimney cleaning services, you can avoid the following health hazards caused by a dirty chimney.

The Invisible Threat: How Dirty Chimneys Trigger Respiratory Problems

Smoke inhalation and exposure to creosote can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, skin irritation, and burning eyes. The problem is particularly concerning in Rhode Island’s climate, where the New England climate can be hard on your chimney. The constant change in temperature year round causes the brick material to break down faster. The long winters are hard on the exterior of the chimney and cause you to use your fireplace or stove more often which makes the inside dirty.

Increased allergy and asthma symptoms: More frequent headaches, coughing, wheezing, or itchy eyes could indicate irritation from chimney pollutants. Stuffy nose and sinus issues: A blocked chimney can lead to poor indoor air quality, making you feel congested. The especially young and old are most at risk for health problems caused by a dirty chimney.

Creosote: The Silent Killer in Your Chimney

Soot and ash are toxic substances produced by wood fires, but creosote is the combustion byproduct that creates the most problems. Creosote is highly flammable and it sticks to the walls of the chimney liner every time a fire burns. This dangerous substance poses multiple health risks beyond fire hazards.

Creosote buildup can cause some significant health problems for every member of your family. Some of the most common symptoms of illness caused by creosote exposure are: Skin irritation, rashes and lesions: If you or your family member come into contact with the creosote you can develop rashes, skin irritations or even skin lesions. Eye irritation and vision loss: Creosote debris can be an issue all over the home and it can give you and your family members burning and irritated eyes that tear or water frequently.

Breathing in creosote particles for a length of time often catches up with the person exposed, as lung and other respiratory issues may develop. Though this greatest health effect has not occurred often from chimney use, creosote exposure does have the potential to cause skin cancer.

Mold, Bacteria, and Other Hidden Contaminants

Unless you schedule routine chimney cleaning and inspections, unseen issues such as the growth of bacteria and mold can occur. A humid, warm chimney is an environment ripe for the development of bacteria and mold. The rapid formation of mold spores can cause widespread home contamination and health issues.

Mold spores can multiply very rapidly and spread throughout your entire home contaminating other surfaces. It can cause a variety of health issues, especially in sensitive individuals, even if it’s non-toxic. You may develop flu-like symptoms such as headache, coughing, sneezing, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. It can also trigger an allergic reaction and an asthma attack in specific individuals.

Dust mites love chimneys, and their presence can worsen allergies. Animal droppings and even dead critters can exacerbate respiratory problems and give off an unpleasant aroma. Additionally, their droppings may cause histoplasmosis, a respiratory infection caused by histplasma capsulatum, a fungus.

Carbon Monoxide: The Deadly Consequence of Poor Chimney Maintenance

Carbon monoxide gas is the result of burning wood in a fireplace and it’s why a clean chimney and proper ventilation are so important if you use a fireplace. Poisoning can occur if your chimney is dirty, if there’s an animal nest or some other blockage in the chimney, or if you have a damaged flue liner or some other type of damage to the fireplace.

Since carbon monoxide (CO) is a tasteless, colorless, and odorless gas, it is impossible to detect without a functioning CO detector. Some of the symptoms of CO poisoning include lightheadedness, headache, nausea, and difficulty breathing, for example.

Professional Chimney Cleaning: Your Family’s Health Shield

The good news is there’s a simple solution: schedule a professional chimney cleaning. For Rhode Island homeowners, choosing a reputable company like Certified Chimney Inspections makes all the difference. Certified Chimney Inspections provides homeowners throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and southern New Hampshire with dependable chimney care, including certified chimney inspection. Our focus is preventing problems before they start, giving you worry-free warmth from your fireplace or heating appliance.

Based in North Smithfield, Rhode Island, Certified began with two friends who had an idea of how to be a more efficient, more customer-service oriented chimney company.They had both worked for chimney companies who were more concerned about profit than taking care of homeowners; they realized that real diligence and customer service would be more profitable long-term. We are based locally in Rhode Island. Therefore, we understand the unique chimney needs of the Providence area. Our company is full of Rhode Island residents, so we get it.

When you need reliable Certified Chimney Cleaning services, the company’s commitment to excellence shows in their comprehensive approach. Yes, our team at Certified Chimney Inspections ensures that your space is left spotless after every chimney sweep service. We understand the importance of maintaining a clean home, so we take extra care to protect your floors and surrounding areas. Our technicians use specialized drop cloths, vacuums, and other tools to minimize any mess. Once the job is complete, we carefully clean up all debris, leaving your home as clean, if not cleaner, than when we arrived. We are committed to delivering top-notch service with attention to both your chimney’s safety and the cleanliness of your home.

When to Schedule Your Chimney Cleaning

The best way to inoculate your chimney, so it doesn’t make you or your family sick, is to clean your chimney annually. National fire and safety experts recommend annual chimney cleanings. It will reduce the risk of fire and other health problems that a dirty chimney can cause.

With Rhode Island winters, anyone using their fireplace or chimney stove often should get their chimney inspected once to twice a year. You can schedule an inspection at any time of the year but people tend towards scheduling an appointment either right after winter or right before.

Don’t let your chimney become a hidden health hazard for your Rhode Island family. When a chimney and fireplace are in good condition and operating as they are supposed to, toxic combustion fumes and other threats to health don’t have a chance to cause problems. Contact Certified Chimney Inspections today to schedule your professional cleaning and inspection, and breathe easier knowing your family’s health is protected.