Air quality issues

Owens Chimney Systems

We are all exposed to many kinds of outdoor pollutants. What we may not realize is that there are also many pollutants within our own homes. Knowing what they are, understanding their risks, and determining how to deal with them is important to the safety of you and your family. We at Owens Chimney Systems care about your well-being and would like to help you determine whether or not your fireplace is functioning safely and effectively.

Failure to maintain your chimney in good working order can result in breathing problems for your family.

Failure to maintain your chimney in good working order can result in breathing problems for your family.

Spillage: When smoke is pushed down the chimney and into the home, this is called spillage. There are many things that can cause spillage. One of these is negative air pressure or poor ventilation, which reduces the available air in the home. An average 36in fireplace within a 1200 square ft home will consume all the air in the house three times during 24 hours of operation. When the fire runs out of air, it starts to pull it down through the chimney, forcing smoke into the home.

Smoke spillage releases pollutants into the air that cause many health problems, especially in children, the elderly, or those with lung cancer or heart disease. They can cause cancer, damage lung tissue, and create respiratory problems. Check that your home is properly exhausted and ventilated, and if that does not help, contact us to help you get rid of these pollutants in your home.

Mold: Mold spores can be living in your chimney if there is any moisture getting trapped inside the flue. This can cause sinus and respiratory problems, coughing, headaches, and eye and throat irritation. We can provide many points of inspection to determine where water is entering your chimney. Installing a chimney cap helps keeps moisture out, and waterproofing is also an excellent way to protect your chimney.

Contact us if you are in the Charlotte or surrounding area. Scheduling an annual inspection and cleaning is a good way to ensure these issues are addressed and to keep your fireplace functioning safely and efficiently.