If you have a wood-burning fireplace and chimney, you should have them inspected and cleaned every year, just like you have your HVAC inspections done. You may want the inspection in the fall before you start using the fireplace, but you might also have the inspection and cleaning done in the spring to get rid of lingering odors until next season. Here are things to know about having chimney sweep services.
Frequency Of Use Doesn't Matter
Even if you only use your fireplace a few times over the winter, you should still have it checked at least once a year. An inspection makes sure the fireplace is clean and safe to use. The chimney sweep looks for creosote buildup, chimney damage, and animal nests to make sure your chimney will be safe to use if you want an occasional fire.
If you haven't built a fire in years, then it's a good idea to call a chimney sweep in to check and clean the chimney before you use the fireplace again for the first time to make sure everything is safe to use.
There Are Three Basic Inspections
You'll probably get a standard inspection during the annual service call. This gives your equipment a visual inspection followed by cleaning. You may need a more involved inspection if your chimney gets a new liner or you make other changes to your home that affect the fireplace or chimney.
There are also more in-depth inspections that go deeper, as well as following up on problems found during the initial inspections. This may require removing bricks and looking more closely at the chimney for problems. The inspections are regulated by fire codes, so your chimney sweep knows which type of inspection to do whether you need annual cleaning or if you've just bought a house and want to know if the chimney is safe to use.
The Chimney Sweep Eliminates Creosote
The reason your chimney needs to be cleaned is to eliminate creosote. Creosote is created by burning wood in the fireplace. It's a thick substance, kind of like tar, that builds up on the fireplace walls. It becomes a fire hazard if it gets too thick, so the chimney sweep removes it by brushing the sides of the chimney.
Creosote and soot then fall to the bottom of the fireplace where they can be vacuumed away. A chimney sweep is careful to work so soot doesn't waft through your home and make a mess. Your fireplace will be clean and ready to use when the process is over.
For more information, contact a local chimney cleaning service.
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