A fireplace is very significant in Canadian culture. It is believed that a fireplace helps in the creation of a homely atmosphere. It adds both value and warmth to a home. People can spend cozy nights during the winter due to the fireplace.

Fireplaces are not a comfort for Canadians; it is in fact a necessity for them. This enables them to survive throughout the cold winters. Despite all these benefits, the fireplace has its problems too. A fireplace can turn a cozy night into a nightmare if problems arise. It can release smoke, which can be harmful to health. It can also result in sparking a house fire. Thus, it is advisable not to ignore the signs of a problem in a fireplace; otherwise, it can lead to devastating consequences.

The 5 signs which show that the fireplace needs immediate maintenance are.

Poor Fire Burning

If your fireplace produces a small flame or burns only for a few minutes, then this can be regarded as a sign of poor airflow. This is mainly caused by a build-up of soot inside the chimney. Poor airflow also traps harmful gases like carbon monoxide around the fire. This can be quite detrimental to the health of the residents.

Oily Substances around Fireplace

If there is a thick layer of oily or tar-like substance near the fireplace, then it is time that you arrange for a cleaning service. These oily substances can be the result of either soot or creosote. These materials are highly flammable and can lead to chimney fire if not removed properly.

This build-up can also hinder the ability of the fireplace to ventilate properly. This could lead to the improper functioning of the fireplace of your house. As mentioned earlier, these substances reduce the airflow, which traps deadly gases like carbon monoxide. A high carbon monoxide level is not good for the environment. It can even lead to death.

Smoke In The Home

The smoke should flow out of the chimney after the use of the fireplace. If you notice that smoke is flowing into your room instead of going up the chimney, this can be a signal that your chimney is congested. It can be easily comprehended from this situation that your chimney is not ventilating appropriately . You should not waste time and try to clean the chimney immediately otherwise it could lead to catastrophic consequences. It is recommended that you take the help of professionals instead of cleaning by yourself.

Unpleasant odour

An unpleasant odour from the fireplace is an indication of the build-up of soot and creosote inside the fireplace. Creosote can be considered as a by-product of burning wood inside the fireplace. This also indicates the mixture of excessive moisture with this build-up of creosote and soot.

This build-up can have a significant impact on the health of the family members of the house. It can cause various health issues, like breathing problems. It is also not at all pleasing to stay inside a house full of foul smells     . House owners should not ignore this signal and should act in order to mitigate this problem. The build-up should be cleaned using some solvents, and this should be done only by professionals. This will also result in identifying issues which cause      moisture to build up     .

Animal activity and pests

The existence of animal sounds or nesting materials inside your fireplace can be a clear indication of obstruction within the chimney. This can hamper the proper functioning of the chimney in a significant manner. These obstructions are a nuisance. They also pose the risk of a fire hazard since those materials are highly flammable by nature.

In this scenario, you should contact an expert immediately to clean the chimney. This will enable the chimney to function properly.