You want your home to be a safe place. This means you should always take care of routine maintenance. Checks of major systems, including your fireplace and chimney. Remembering to schedule your annual chimney sweeping and inspection appointment each year is essential. It ensures there are no hidden safety hazards lurking within your chimney. One of these hazards has to do with the toxic combustion gas, carbon monoxide.
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), over 200 Americans die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning, and over 10,000 cases of this illness are reported as well. Even more disturbing? The fact that a large percentage of the people in these statistics became ill from carbon monoxide poisoning inside their own homes. At Ace Chimney Sweeps, our top priority is the safety of our customers. This is why we would like to answer a few of the most frequently asked questions about carbon monoxide poisoning.
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
If you have prolonged low-level carbon monoxide poisoning, you will experience certain symptoms. These include headaches, fatigue, nausea, and dizziness. However, these symptoms are similar to those of the common cold and the flu. Therefore, it can be difficult for a doctor to correctly diagnose this illness. This can be dangerous, as continued exposure to this toxic gas can lead to organ damage and even possibly to death. If you have these symptoms for more than a couple of weeks, ask your doctor to test your blood for levels of carbon monoxide.
How does my fireplace and chimney play a role in carbon monoxide poisoning?
Every time you light a fire in your fireplace, carbon monoxide is produced. Consequently, certain chimney problems can lead to this toxic gas leaking into your home. These problems include a cracked chimney liner, a large buildup of soot, and debris such as bird or animal nests blocking the flue.
How can I prevent carbon monoxide from leaking into my home through the fireplace?
Want be sure your chimney is working safely without any of these problems that could cause carbon monoxide to leak into your living spaces? If so, you need to have your chimney professionally swept and inspected at least once a year. Since 1986, Ace Chimney Sweeps has provided these chimney maintenance services to the residents of the Elkton area. So, you can trust our experienced and CSIA-certified chimney sweeps to thoroughly check out your chimney to ensure that no safety hazards are present.
Keep your family safe from carbon monoxide leaks! Contact us at Ace Chimney Sweeps today to schedule an appointment for your annual chimney sweeping and inspection.