The Importance and Frequency of Cleaning Your Chimney

by Kevin Smith Author

For home safety and fire prevention, the cleaning and repairs of your chimney should not be avoided. As wood burns, the inside of your chimney can become coated with numerous forms of debris, such as creosote. The burning of unseasoned or green wood makes the build-up of creosote happen faster. These debris will remain in the chimney until cleaned away. If your chimney is in need of cleaning or repair, contact a company for chimney repair in Dallas, GA.

Natural, external debris can also make its way inside of your chimney. Many of these things are highly flammable. Such things as twigs and leaves, especially if you are missing a flue cap. Birds can also build a nest in your chimney, and even animal fur can be hazardous.

How Chimney Fires Start

Fires in the chimney, usually start very explosively, and if your chimney is in need of repairs, they can quickly enter your walls and consume your whole home. The fire usually starts with a popping sound, it is sometimes described as being similar to a gunshot, but it doesn’t have to be. Next, the fire takes on a rumbling sound. Creosote falls down, and flames shoot from out of the top of the chimney, down into the firebox. This can cause the walls of the chimney to crack at some point, usually around mid-way up, and allow flames to enter into the walls. A chimney fire is hard for a homeowner to control. When firefighters arrive, they have to douse the flames starting with the top, then downward, which can often cause the house to suffer flood damage. Considering the fire and the water damage, the whole house can be lost.

Clean Your Chimney

It is best to clean your chimney once per year, minimum. If you burn unseasoned wood, artificial wood, notice any creosote build-up over ¼ inch, or you notice soot falls down when a fire is burning, then it’s time for an extra cleaning. If you do not have a flue cap or cover for your chimney, then have one installed during or after your cleaning. Otherwise, you may have it cleaned this week, and find a bird’s nest inside in the next week.

It’s usually best to clean the chimney in late summer, allowing for some good, hot, drying days. Early fall is the absolute latest recommended cleaning time. If you are hiring a professional to handle your cleaning, then it’s best to have them come out before the busy season comes into play. Consider scheduling with a professional in the summertime.

If your chimney is in need of cleaning or repair, contact a company for chimney repair in Dallas, GA.