Chimneys are such a joy when it is cold outside, but have you ever cleaned it? The job of the chimney sweep is to remove soot, blockages and built-up creosote. That includes the liner, firebox, smoke chamber and damper. It take only a small accumulation of creosote glazing to create the potential for a fire. Creosote is a highly flammable substance that builds up inside your chimney or liner as a result of burning wood. The rate of accumulation can be higher if you practice poor burning practices or have a burning appliance or stove that is not working well.
How Often?
Chimney inspections should be done at least once a year, to be sure everything is in working order. Most homeowners can choose to have a cleaning done once a year also. Other venting systems connected to furnaces and stoves should also be cleaned on a regular basis to have and maintain a safer operation. Fireplace, stove, furnace, and heating appliance systems are important to your home and family’s safety. Don’t risk the chance of an undiscovered defect could turn into an expensive repair or even the loss of a home.
If you haven’t had your chimney inspected in a year or more, if you are having any performance issues with your chimney, fireplace or heating system or if you have recently purchased the home you should schedule an inspection. Don’t wait – waiting almost always results in additional repairs, and unfortunately sometimes in property loss. Every year in the US homeowners lose over 200 million dollars as a result of continuing to use unsafe systems.
The CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) says that fireplaces should be cleaned when 1/8″ of sooty buildup is evident inside the chimney and flue system. If any glaze is appearing in the flue, cleaning should be done even if there is less than 1/8″ of buildup. Any time an appreciable accumulation of soot and creosote occurs it can be enough to fuel a chimney fire that may damage the chimney and even spread to the roof and home. Furnace flue systems also require cleaning, so don’t neglect regular cleaning of those venting systems.
What is the Best Time to Clean my Chimney?
Ideally, before the start of the burning season during the spring, summer or early fall is a great time to get your chimney inspection and / or cleaning. Before you think about building a fire or starting up your furnace because the weather has changed, is the time to call your chimney sweep. Maybe you forgot the early cleaning before starting to use the fireplace, stove or furnace?
If your fireplace, chimney, or furnace start to smell that can be a sign it needs to be cleaned. The smell is due to creosote deposits, a natural byproduct of wood burning. The odor is usually worse in the summer when the humidity is high and the air conditioner is running. A good cleaning will help, but usually won’t solve the problem completely. There are commercial chimney deodorants that work pretty well. However, many people have good results with baking soda or even kitty litter set in the fireplace. The real problem is the air being drawn down the chimney, a symptom of overall pressure problems in the house. Some make-up air should be introduced somewhere else in the house. A tight sealing, top mounted damper will also reduce this air flow coming down the chimney.