It's quite common for birds to nest in chimneys as a way to escape from the cold and predators. However, the presence of nests and animals can affect the performance of a chimney.
The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that chimneys and furnace vents be inspected every year. If you heat your home using gas, wood, oil, or pellets it is essential to keep these systems running safely.
Until the late 1800s, children were often used to climb through the chimneys to dislodge soot and creosote in many countries. They would push the broom up ahead of them and then slide down. It was dangerous and finally abolished.
Modern chimney sweeps are not only equipped to clean your chimney of soot and ash, they can also diagnose and repair problems relating to your firebox and damper, and remove the build up of flammable creosote.
While gas fireplaces take advantage of a clean burning fuel source, it's still common for blockages to develop in the flue. If the blockages are severe, carbon monoxide fumes can be directed back into the home.
Whether your chimney is wood-burning or relies on natural gas, it's important to have the fireplace and chimney inspected at least once a year, according to the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
While chimney brushes can be used to remove some types of creosote, the more sticky and tar-like creosote residue known as third degree creosote can require specialized heavy duty stainless steel tools to remove the worst of the buildup.
If you notice a sour odor coming from your chimney during the warmer months, this can be a sign that there's a buildup of creosote. This residue is a by-product of combustion that can be hazardous. A chimney sweep will clean out the creosote and can also deodorize further if the smell still remains.
One way to tell if you need to have your chimney swept is to check for creosote buildup. This involves shining a flashlight near the top of the firebox, in the smoke chamber, and around the damper. It’s a good idea to check the flue too, particularly on exterior chimneys where creosote builds much faster.
Did you know that creosote buildup on the inside of chimneys is rated by degrees? The type of creosote accumulation can depend on how the fireplace is used and how often the fireplace has been cleaned and is classified as first, second or third degree creosote buildup.
A chimney sweep is the person who cleans and repairs a chimney and fireplace. The job involves inspecting the integrity of both the outside elements of a chimney, such as the cap and flashing, and interior parts, such as the damper and chimney flue.
In 1864, Parliament passed the Act for the Regulation of Chimney Sweepers, prohibiting the use of children to climb up and down chimneys to keep them clean. At this time, various devices were invented to do the work instead.
May we give you our card? According to German folklore, meeting a chimney sweep or Schlotfeger on New Year’s Day brought you good luck, and that luck increased if the sweep gave you his or her card.
To protect your family and your home, you should have your chimney inspected every year according to the National Fire Protection Agency. This recommendation applies to all chimneys, whether you burn oil, wood, or gas.
Depending on the age of your home and the way it was constructed, you may have either a masonry fireplace (one built on site) or a pre-constructed (pre-fab) one that is brought to the site afterwards. Either kind needs to be cleaned and inspected regularly.
Many chimney sweeps will perform a quality test after cleaning your chimney to make sure they got everything, and all clogs are removed. This usually involves nothing more than lighting a small fire in the newly cleaned fireplace.
What is the best type of wood to use in a fireplace to help reduce the formation of soot on the inside of the chimney? You want to use completely dry wood that has been seasoned for at least one year. The actual type of wood is more of a personal preference, but it needs to be completely dry.
If you use a wood-burning stove to cut down on your heating bills, it's a good idea to have a professional chimney sweep remove build-up periodically. This is especially true if you burn high-moisture content woods like pine.
How long does it take to clean a chimney? Good question. In general, it takes about one hour to clean a traditional masonry chimney, slightly less than an hour to clean a pre-fabricated fireplace, and one to three hours to clean a woodstove insert.
Did you know that firebricks are useful for many different applications? Not only are they perfect for fireplaces in people's homes, but people also use them for industrial furnaces, steel refineries, and insulating tiles for space shuttles.
So what exactly is creosote, and why does it need to be cleaned out of your chimney? This is a highly flammable substance that builds up inside your chimney or liner as a result of burning wood. Regular cleaning is critical, as it only takes a small accumulation of creosote glazing to create the potential for a chimney fire.
Getting ready to sell your house? Don’t forget to have the chimneys inspected, cleaned, and repaired if necessary. A Level 2 chimney inspection is generally required before a property can be sold, and a clean, functioning fireplace helps you get the most for your home.
Proper storage of firewood can lead to a cleaner and safer chimney. Burning wet or green wood in your fireplace can lead to increased levels of creosote in your fireplace.
Prepping firewood and kindling to build a crackling fire in your fireplace can be an art. Begin with adequate kindling, and use your grate effectively by positioning fire logs with adequate support so they won't shift as the fire burns.
