Chimney Information

It’s the time of year we start to think of spending warm nights by the fire.  But before you can do that, regular chimney and fire place inspections are an absolute must.

Buildup and maintenance:

Sticky black creosote can build up and pests can clog your flue with nests.  Regular inspections can reveal:

• loose bricks

• cracked mortar

• creosote buildup

• working dampers

Frequency of cleanings:

How often you should have a chimney checked depends on the age of the house and how often you have fires.

• For houses more than 50 years old, chimneys should be inspected every two years. Older masonry is more likely to have crack around the cap and crown which allows water to seep in and freeze.

• Newer homes cleanings should be scheduled based on how often the fireplace is used.

• Clean every two years if you have one or two fires a week; if you have one or two fires a month, every five years should suffice.

General Info:

Whether or not you use your fireplace, the chimney should be topped with a metal cap with wire mesh to keep out rodents and birds. The screen also prevents sparks from escaping. A wire mesh or glass fireplace screen will help prevent sparks from popping out. 

Do not put anything flammable within 20 inches of the fireplace opening. Be careful where you place extra wood, kindling or stacks of newspapers. Never put holiday gift wrap in the fireplace. Its intense burning can ignite your chimney or flash out into the room.

The beginning of fireplace season is a good time to think about your fire extinguisher. Make sure you know how to operate it.