Wood Stoves Chimney Sweeps

Why Is It Important To Sweep Your Chimney?

A clean chimney yields multiple benefits, however the most important one could be your family and home's safety. Every winter, fire departments respond to thousands of structure fires.  Sadly, failure to clean the chimney is the primary cause, accounting for nearly one-third of all residential structure fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.  In addition soot or creosote, a dark colored byproduct contains cancer causing elements. Regular chimney sweeps are a matter of safety and could save the people and things you love the most. 

What Are The Benefits Of A Chimney Cleaning?

In addition to helping you avoid chimney fires, chimney sweeps can help improve heating efficiency  and extend your chimney's life span, saving you money in the long run. It also helps to eliminate odors and provide better home air quality.  

How Often Should Your Chimney Be Swept? 

The general consensus is that you should sweep your chimney at least once a year. However, if you use your fireplace a lot, you may need to do it more often than that. Sweeping your chimney is important because it helps remove soot and more importantly removes the build-up of creosote in the chimney. 

When Should A Chimney Sweep be Performed?

It's a good idea to schedule a chimney sweep in late summer or early fall to ensure your stove is ready for the cold weather.  It's not only easier to get an appointment but also easier to perform repairs. Winter is the busiest time for most chimney sweep professionals and you could be waiting in the cold to have services performed. You should also have one completed when you need it. 

How Do You Know When Your Chimney Needs Sweeping?

If your fire isn't burning as well as it used to, you likely need a cleaning.  You may also notice smoke wafting into the living space or a bad smell even when you haven't lit a fire. You should also have a cleaning performed if soot is falling back into your stove or fire or if you see signs of tar around the damper or flue entrance. 

What  Should I Expect With A Chimney Sweep & Inspection?

An inspection of your chimney, liner, brick, baffle board, gaskets, glass and firebox will be performed to determine if there are any fire hazards before work is performed.  In general we sweep your chimney from the bottom up. The area will be tarped and a vacuum is used to capture and trap the microparticles of soot and other harmful particulates. A wire brush specific to your chimneys will be inserted in the chimney to check for obstructions, remove creosote, soot and then clean the flue. After your chimney has been swept your firebox is cleaned of any debris and a final inspection will be completed. 

How Else Can I Make My Wood Stove More Efficient?

Burn seasoned firewood, fresh wood has a higher moisture content and causes a smokier fire that generates less heat and burns too quickly.  Low moisture wood (20% or less) will burn slower, hotter. with less smoke & soot. A wood moisture meter is a reasonably cheap tool that you can invest in to get the most out of your resources. 

Close the damper. The damper is a metal device that keeps air, moisture and debris out of the firebox when the fireplace is not being used. However you should make sure that your fire is completely extinguished.  Closing the damper will retain the heat in the firebox and continue to warm your living space for several hours. 

Reverse the circulation of your ceiling fans. Reversing the circulation of your ceiling fan creates an updraft and spreads the heat more efficiently throughout your living space.  

Consider installing glass fireplace doors to reduce heat loss. Although your damper must remain open while burning. closing the glass doors will prevent the heated indoor air from being sucked into the fireplace.  It also helps to radiate the heat in the firebox throughout the living area. 

Install a fireplace insert.  Fireplace inserts are self contained heating appliances that fit directly inside the opening of an existing masonry fireplace and retains up to 80 to 90 percent of the heat.  It also uses one-third less fuel, and produces a fraction of the smoke, creosote & soot of a traditional fireplace. 

Why Hire a Professional Chimney Sweep Cleaner?

Your annual service is so much more than just a cleaning, it's peace of mind. It's important to hire a qualified chimney sweeper because a chimney which isn't properly cleaned, inspected and repaired as needed, can become a serious fire hazard.  Even if your chimney seems relatively simple the work can be more complicated than it appears.  An experienced chimney sweep professional has the knowledge and expertise that the average homeowner doesn't.  If you try to tackle the job yourself, you could miss vital elements that affect the overall performance and health of your fireplace.   

It's also a dirty job, and chimney care can be a dangerous endeavor without the proper knowledge and tools.  Breathing in soot & creosote can cause serious health consequences. Your insurance may also require it. 

The last reason why you should hire a chimney sweep professional is to save money in the long run. Regular chimney cleaning and maintenance can prevent costly repairs or even the need for a new chimney if the damage is severe enough.  Moreover, a clean and efficient chimney can lead to lower energy bills.