When do you need chimney sweep

Staying on top of your chimney cleaning will help prevent any unwanted problems further down the line, and can prove to be the most cost-effective and safest solution for your home. As with many problems, the longer you leave your chimney to be cleaned the worse it may become. How often do you have your fireplace cleaned?

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So to prevent the build-up of dirt, how often does your chimney need sweeping? However, they recommend that, as a guide, these cleaning frequencies should be followed: Every quarter when regularly burning wood or coal in your fireplace At least one a year when smokeless fuel is used Once a year for both oil and gas fireplaces The solid fuel safety and standards organization, HETAS , also encourages having your chimney swept at least once per year when burning smokeless fuels, but recommends at least twice a year when burning wood or coal.

How to Know When Your Chimney Needs Sweeping In the first instance you should follow the guidance outlined above that have been set out by recognized institutions for your area.

Does a Lined Chimney Need Sweeping? Preparing For Your Chimney or Flue to be Cleaned Your chimney sweep will need clear access to your chimney from your fireplace so make sure that your mantelpiece and hearth are clear of ornaments and any other items, just to be sure that nothing gets dirty or broken.

Your chimney sweep should provide you with a certificate upon completion of the work. Does Chimney Sweeping Make a Mess? Burn harder wood logs. Using softwood such as pine in your fireplace increases the rate of build-up of creosote in your chimney. A poorly operating appliance will increase the rate of creosote accumulation. Chimney Inspections should be scheduled once a year. To be sure that all of your systems are in working order and operating as they should, it is recommended that homeowners get an annual chimney inspection.

Most homeowners opt to have a Chimney Cleaning done every year as well, especially if they use their fireplace on a regular basis. Other venting systems connected to furnaces and stoves should also be cleaned on a regular basis to maintain safer operation. Fireplace, stove, furnace and heating appliance systems are important to your home and families safety and not an area to neglect or cut corners on.

If you only have minimal use of your fireplace or stove, an inspection is still advised annually to look at all heating venting systems, chimneys, stove systems and furnace flues. During these inspections any defects or issues that may be found that require action even if cleaning is not needed.

When you have a regular chimney sweep company that you use, they will generally put you on an annual inspection schedule. During these inspections they will advise you if it is time to sweep. Every year in the US homeowners lose over million dollars as a result of continuing to use unsafe systems. Another important time to get your venting systems inspected is when you have upgraded or changed heating systems or added a stove or insert. An inspection will make sure that your chimney, lining and venting systems are adequate and in working order to handle the new changes.

If you have not used your fireplace in a long time, pests may have built nests that could clog your flue or chimney chamber. Winter freeze cycles and moisture combine to take an annual toll on masonry and liner materials too. Over several years the deterioration will eventually require attention. Normal wear and tear that is left unchecked will affect the performance of your system. The longer the defects go without being addressed, the more expensive the repairs are likely to be.

Bottom line is — staying on top of your systems is not only the smartest and safest choice, it ends up being the most cost-effective too. The build up of soot, creosote and tar can block fumes from escaping and ignite under heat. Without inspection by a professional chimney sweep, cracks and corrosion could also lead to other flammable debris falling into your chimney. Cracks can also lead to you getting damp in your chimney, which can cause a number of problems in your home. You can find out more about chimney fires here.

Creosote is a thick black substance that is caused by burning solid fuel. It forms when fire is burnt too slowly or burns incompletely. When the smoke cools and sticks to your chimney wall it turns into creosote. If you begin to find an excessive build-up of creosote, you might be burning your fire incorrectly.

Read the tips below to find out what you might be doing wrong…. Preventing creosote build up in your chimney is often easier than removing it. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to stop creosote becoming a problem:. Looking for more advice on your stove? Check out all our blog resources for posts like these…. Shop Stoves Online Now. Be notified of replies. Friday, November What is Creosote and What Causes it in a Chimney?

It should be easy to remove with the correct brush.