Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…
Are you prepared for the holiday season? At NNINS, we eagerly anticipate spending quality time with family and friends. There's nothing quite as delightful and cheerful as a festively adorned home! However, with our extensive experience in home insurance, we understand that your house requires more than just sparkling lights and balsam wreaths as you come in from the cold to celebrate. Your fireplace or wood stove must be safe and dependable for the holiday festivities and the winter season.
The danger of home chimney fires
Cooking equipment may be the leading cause of home fire injuries and deaths but is followed closely by home heating equipment. But did you know chimney fires account for 75% of home heating fires?
The best way to prevent a home fire from a chimney or wood stove is to have an annual inspection and cleaning performed by a certified chimney sweep. It's not as fun as ready your home decorated to welcome friends and family but it's really important.
We know what you’re thinking.
What a pain in the "ash"! Do I really need to have my fireplace or wood stove inspected and cleaned?
Yes!
Here are five reasons to have your fireplace professionally inspected and cleaned:
1. It’s a really messy job!
2. This deeper level cleaning removes flammable creosote build-up that you can’t reach.
3. They have expert knowledge and equipment.
4. They go in from the roof down- messy and dangerous!
5. They can make sure the top of your chimney is moisture, critter, and debris-free with an intact spark arrestor cap.
How much does it cost to have your fireplace cleaned and inspected in Virginia?
The average cost of professional chimney cleaning and inspection is between $80-$150. Don’t skimp here. It’s peace of mind and basic maintenance. Even gas fireplaces need to be cleaned and inspected. Here's an example of the increased fire risks that come with these home heating heroes.
A maintained fireplace is peace of mind
The bright side? Once you’ve had things professionally inspected and cleaned, you’re ready for the holidays. It’s that simple. We’ll cover season-long maintenance later, as well as how to keep your home's winter air comfortable for the whole family.
By the way, if you’ve never roasted Virginia chestnuts, it may be time to start a new family tradition! We recommend an easy-peasy and delicious oven recipe.
Learn more about homeowners insurance in Virginia >
THE NORTHERN NECK INSURANCE INTEGRITY PROMISE — We pledge to provide straight talk and good counsel from our NNINS Virginia insurance experts through our blog. While we hope you find this to be a helpful source of information, it does not replace the guidance of a licensed insurance professional, nor does it modify the terms of your Northern Neck Insurance policy in any way. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy.
