BLOG

​Chimney Cleaning is an essential process that should be done at least once a year. It can help you save money on your energy bills, and it will also keep the chimneys in good shape for years to come. If you are looking into getting this service performed, here's what you need to know:
 
What is actually the best time of year for a chimney cleaned?

The best time of year to have your chimney cleaned is during the winter months because there won't be as much smoke coming out from the fireplace or stove.

his means less dust buildup inside the chimney, which makes cleaning easier. However, if you live where snowfall occurs frequently, springtime would probably work better since it doesn't get too cold outside.

Therefore, make sure to check with your local fire department before scheduling any services. They may recommend another season instead.

Related Article: Why Regular Chimney Cleaning Is A Must
 
How Often Should you Have Your Chimney Cleaned?

You don't necessarily need to schedule regular cleanings every month. Instead, do them when needed. Also, remember that some people prefer not to use their chimneys all the time, so they might want to wait until after the holidays to have their chimneys swept.
 
Who Can Do Your Chimney Cleaning Service?

You can hire someone who has experience doing these types of jobs. Make sure that they know how to handle flammable materials like wood and gas properly. They must also understand how to remove ashes and other debris from the chimney safely.
 
Do you Need your Chimney Cleaned Every Year?

Yes! Having your chimney cleaned regularly helps prevent fires by keeping the chimney free of creosote buildup. Creosote builds up over time due to the accumulation of ash particles.

When it gets thick enough, it becomes hard and brittle and could cause a house fire. Therefore, it's essential to have your chimney checked annually. Call the professional immediately if you notice anything unusual happening around your home, such as strange smells, burning odors, or even seeing flames shooting out of the top of your chimney.


Should you change your chimney liner after cleaning?


No. Changing your chimney liner does not guarantee that your chimney sweep will find everything. Changing liners often causes more problems than it solves. So, leave the chimney alone unless you see something wrong.

After cleaning, however, you should scrutinize the lining to ensure that no damage was caused. If you think that your chimney needs replacing, contact a reputable company right away.
 
Should you leave your chimney unattended when you have gone away for a while?

If you feel comfortable leaving your chimney unattended, go ahead. But, always make sure that you close off vents near the roofline first. Then, turn off the pilot light under the hood.

Finally, shut down the furnace altogether. Once you've made those changes, you'll be able to enjoy peace of mind knowing that nothing wrong will happen to your property.
 
Conclusion

These are just some tips on what you need to know about chimney cleaning. Hopefully, this article helped clear things up for you. Remember: never try to fix a problem yourself without consulting an expert.

It's easy to end up making matters worse. And, if you're unsure whether or not your chimney needs repair, consult a professional chimney sweep. A good one will help you determine exactly what needs fixing.

 Chimney cleaning is an essential part of caring not only for your fireplace but for your home. There are two very important reasons to get your chimney cleaned regularly.

One is because of the toxic gasses that can enter your home when there is a blockage or buildup within the chimney. These gases are not safe for humans or any pets to inhale and can cause health concerns.

The other significant reason to have your chimney cleaned regularly is overall safety. Having a clean chimney lowers the risk of home fires starting. These chimney fires are known to cause structural damage to your home and worse, injure and kill people if the fire is not detected early enough.

Unfortunately for the average homeowner, the warning signs, like loud popping sounds, are overlooked, thus an uncontrollable fire is the outcome.

The National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 suggests having your chimney serviced yearly. This organization advises this in hopes to help lower injuries, deaths, and uncontrollable fires for the general public. The yearly cleaning can be your guideline but there are also some signals to watch for that tell your fireplace and chimney are due for a cleaning.

The following are signs that a cleaning is needed: if you typically have no problems starting a fire but it is now taking you awhile to get one going, if the fireplace starts to smell like a campfire or smoke starts to fill the room even with the damper, the seal to the fireplace, is open, if the damper appears black, or if the walls of the fireplace have oily residue on them, then it is time for a cleaning.

Another obvious sign it is time to call a chimney sweep is if you suspect animals living within the chimney.

Birds, squirrels, bats, and raccoons are common chimney residents due to the warmth and safety they can offer. Signs of an animal in your chimney are droppings found in the fireplace as well as any chirping/squeaking noises.

You might even spy a nest in your chimney.

While you can remove general ash using a heavy metal bristled brush yourself if there is any oil or buildup, you should call a chimney cleaning professional. A professional will remove all soot, blockages, built up creosote (tar like oil that is a byproduct of burning wood), clean out the firebox, smoke chamber, and the damper.

The chimney sweep will begin the cleaning starting at the flue, the vertical duct or pipe that allows gasses to get to the outside, and then work upwards or vice versa, from the roof to the smoke chamber. It usually cost a few hundred dollars and takes about an hour to complete. The suggested time of year to get your chimney serviced is in the spring.

 Enjoy safe, warm, and comforting fires all year long by remembering to take care of your chimney.

For the comfort of knowing your fireplace and chimney are in working order it is well worth the time and money to make sure they are cleaned properly and regularly.