Chimney Cleaning Questions
A fireplace is a luxury for some Americans, but a necessity for others. The warmth chimneys provide can be a source of comfort during the winter months. For homeowners who have chimneys, maintaining them is paramount to enjoying that comfort. But how often should you clean a chimney? What do you clean? And how do you know when the chimney needs cleaning? Does this Spark an idea?
-
Reason For Cleaning
-
The overwhelming reason to get your chimney cleaned is creosote, according to experts at yourchimneysweep.com. This is a flammable chemical that can build up in your chimney over time. It becomes a danger when the chimney isn't properly maintained. Creosote is caused by firewood that doesn't burn completely, which can be a result of wet wood, soft wood or closing the fireplace before the wood is completely burned.
Cleaning Process
-
Yourchimneysweep.com recommends that owners of homes with fireplaces take care to maintain their chimney, which includes a thorough cleaning. That cleaning can include the fireplace itself, the firebox, the smoke chamber, the smoke shelf and the flue. Homeowners should also make sure their chimney cleaner performs a thorough inspection of the fireplace for any visible problems. These cleanings can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, depending upon the type of chimney.
-
When To Clean
-
Some recommend cleaning a chimney once per year, preferably in the fall before the winter season begins. Yourchimneysweep.com recommends cleaning the fireplace after two ricks of wood have been burned. A rick is designated as a pile of wood that is four feet high and eight feet wide, one log deep. The National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 says, "Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary."
How To Tell
-
Experts at seacoastsweep.com say it's difficult for homeowners to tell if their chimney needs cleaning, so they recommend an annual inspection. Inspections can also prevent problems like water damage or faulty parts from becoming a bigger problem. Yourchimneysweep.com says that smoke coming into the house actually is not a sign of a chimney in need of cleaning. Smoke backup is commonly caused by an open damper, wet or soft wood or a cold chimney.
Between Cleanings
-
One of the best things homeowners can do is to burn only wood in their fireplace, as non-wood items can cause damage to the house and fireplace, or give off toxic fumes. Oak, cherry, ash and other dense woods are good for wood-burning fireplaces. Yourchimneysweep.com says that store-bought wood can also be good for fireplaces, especially logs engineered from a mixture of materials designed to reduce creosote buildup.
-
