How often should I have my chimney swept? This a tougher question than it sounds. The simple answer is: 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.
How do you know if your chimney needs to be cleaned?
- Your fireplace smells like a campfire. ...
- Fires burn oddly. ...
- It takes more effort to get a fire going and keep it going. ...
- Smoke fills the room. ...
- The fireplace damper is black. ...
- Fireplace walls have oily marks. ...
- There’s evidence of animals.
What time of year should you clean your chimney?
Homeowners are urged to have their chimneys inspected for creosote buildup and cleaned if necessary in the spring of each year . Chimney fires are characterized by loud cracking or popping noises and a lot of dense smoke from the flue, but often times go undetected by the homeowner.
How much should a chimney cleaning cost?
The typical chimney cleaning cost is between $129 and $378 . Wood fireplaces that receive regular maintenance price $85 to $100 per cleaning. Those with build-up from years of neglect could total as much as $800. Chimney cleaning kits run between $50 to $100.
How often should chimneys be cleaned and inspected?
The simple answer is: 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.
What happens if you don’t sweep your chimney?
When your chimney is not cleaned for a long time, a substance called creosote keeps building up in the flue during the use of the fireplace . This creosote is highly flammable and can lead to a dangerous chimney fire (an uncontrolled 2000 degree fire burning inside the chimney).
Can a chimney be cleaned in winter?
According to the National Fire Protection Association chimneys and other devices in which fires are started need to be inspected at least once a year. ... Winter is the roughest time for fireplaces and chimneys.
Do the chimney cleaning logs really work?
Do Chimney Sweep Logs Work. ... Many homeowners wonder if the chimney sweep logs or creosote sweeping logs really work to clean out fireplace flues and get rid of creosote residue so that the fireplaces are safe to use. The short answer is no, they don’t work.
Can I clean my chimney myself?
In many cases, you can clean the chimney yourself and save a few hundred dollars. Removing ordinary chimney soot is pretty simple. But if you have heavy creosote buildup, you’ll have to call in a pro. ... Otherwise, hire a certified chimney sweep.
Do you tip a chimney cleaner?
Tipping the chimney sweeper is not required , nor is it as common as tipping a waiter in a restaurant or the barkeep at your local saloon. However, due to the nature of the job, you may consider including an additional tip as a sign of appreciation for their good work.
How common are chimney fires?
Chimney Fires occur at an alarming rate in our country, over 25,000 chimney fires account for over 120 million dollars in damage to property every year. ... A common cause of chimney fires is creosote inside the chimney catching fire and burning inside the chimney.
What can I clean a chimney with to burn it?
You can burn the creosote log in your fireplace, so you don’t need to get into your chimney. These logs have chemicals that loosen the creosote, but you can use them in any wood-burning fire. You do need to make sure you remove the creosote as it falls to the bottom of your fireplace.
How quickly does creosote build up?
It usually takes between 6 months and a year for logs to be seasoned. Fires built with seasoned firewood burn clean enough that creosote deposits are kept to a minimum. Unseasoned logs, on the other hand, quickly add to the highly flammable buildup in your flue.
How long does it take to sweep a chimney?
A typical chimney sweep and inspection can take 45 minutes to an hour . Rooftop Chimney Sweeps blocks off a 2 hour time slot just in case something comes up that causes the service to take longer to properly complete.
Can you vacuum out a fireplace?
Quick Answer: You can use a vacuum to clean ash from a fireplace but you need a specialized ash vacuum with a HEPA filter. Regular vacuums do not have filters capable of catching ash and they end up spitting the ash back out over the room. Fireplace ash is a fire hazard if left to accumulate.
How do you know if your chimney is on fire?
- A loud, crackling or popping noise from the chimney flue (imagine the sound of a large bonfire)
- A lot of dense, thick smoke coming into the fireplace or out of the top of the chimney.
- Flames or things that are on fire (pieces of flaming creosote) coming from the top of the chimney.
