Does having my chimney swept improve the air quality inside my house?
In Canton, sweeping carries an extra weight since the flooding. Water that pushed through Pigeon River valley homes left silt in chimney bases and damaged flues and gas connections, and a fouled, water-damaged flue drafts badly, spilling smoke and combustion gases back into the room. A sweep and inspection clear that and restore draft. It is not, though, an air purifier.
After the flood water receded
The flooding that hit Canton's mill-town homes along the Pigeon River didn't stop at the firebox. It left silt and debris in chimney bases and water-damaged both masonry flues and the gas appliances connected to them. A chimney that took on water drafts poorly and holds a musty, creosote-laced odor that seeps back into the room. Sweeping clears the silt and buildup, and because we're a licensed gas contractor, the same visit can inspect the gas connections the water compromised, work a sweep-only outfit can't legally touch.
Valley damp keeps working against you
Even setting the flood aside, Canton's valley floor traps morning fog, and that dampness rusts dampers and caps earlier than owners expect. A damper rusted partway open is a standing leak that pulls flue odor into the room year-round. And at nearly 2,600 feet the burning season is long, so creosote builds steadily. An annual sweep with a damper-and-cap check addresses both the smell and the draft.
Book early, expect the right things
We're 20 minutes west of the Asheville showroom. Schedule in late summer or early fall, before you're depending on the fire. And be clear on limits, because clearing the flue stops fireplace-related spillage and odor, but it won't scrub general dust or pollen from your air. Call (828) 545-0525, or use our 24/7 line for a no-heat emergency.
Fireplace help in Canton
We install and service fireplaces throughout Canton and the rest of Haywood County — just 20 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
- Is creosote toxic to breathe or touch?
- Do wood-burning fireplaces pollute the air inside your house?
- Why do I smell smoke in my house when the fireplace isn't even burning?
- Why does my fireplace smell in the summer or when it rains?
- Can an unused fireplace or chimney cause moisture and mold problems in the house?