FAQ
How often should I have my chimney swept?
This is a tougher question to answer than you’d think, but here’s the simple answer: Here at CSIA, we follow the guidelines of The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 211, which says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary."
Whoa – does this apply to ALL chimneys, fireplaces, and vents? Why every year?
This is the national safety standard, and it takes into account the fact that – even if you don’t use your chimney much – animals may build nests in the flue or there may be other types of deterioration that could make the chimney unsafe.
How will a sweep know when it’s time to sweep your chimney? We recommend that all masonry fireplaces be swept at 1/8” of sooty buildup, and sooner if there is any glaze (creosote) present in the system. This is considered by fire safety experts to be enough buildup to cause a chimney fire capable of damaging the chimney or spreading to the home.
Factory-built fireplaces should be swept when any appreciable buildup occurs. The logic here is that the deposit is quite acidic and can shorten the life of the fireplace by corroding the different components of the prefab system.
How do I know if my chimney is actually clean?
In the past, sweeps we’ve hired have always gone on the roof, checked the flashing, the mortar, and all the workings of the chimney, and then cleaned the chimney from the top of the house. Today, this sweep came in, looked into my fireplace from the bottom, and said we don’t need it cleaned because he can still see the bricks. I asked to have it cleaned anyway. He then grabbed a wire brush and simply rubbed away any buildup from the main opening to the fireplace, without even going up into the chimney to clean anything. Am I way off base, or did the sweep charge me without cleaning my chimney?
It sounds like the chimney sweeps you had experiences with in the past did the job they were hired to do. However, your most recent experience sounds a bit odd. If the sweep agreed to do a complete sweeping and only cleaned the brick in the fireplace’s firebox, you did not get the service that you paid for. A complete chimney sweeping includes the chimney flue and smoke chamber.
In the future, you could ask for a Level 1 chimney inspection and a chimney sweeping. If the sweep doesn’t know what a Level 1 chimney inspection is, find one that does. A Level 1 inspection is detailed in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 211: Standard on Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances.
What can I burn in my fireplace?
The answer is: Only well-seasoned wood. Nothing else should be burned in your fireplace. Why not? Watch this video to see what happens when you burn holiday wrapping paper, a pizza box, and foam packaging in the fireplace.
Why can I sometimes smell my chimney in the house?
If the humidity is high, the air will be heavy and it will cause a “natural” downdraft in the chimney, which will cause the air to flow into the house. Or if it is very cold outside, the cold air will also cause a “natural” downdraft as well.
How long does it take to sweep a chimney?
Depending on the conditions of the chimney and the number of flues, sweeping could take approximately 45 minutes to 2 hours.
What causes creosote buildup?
The degree and severity of creosote varies from a fine powder to a non-removable tar-like substance. Creosote is created by the incomplete combustion of firewood. Low fire temperatures can be the result of wet or unseasoned firewood or intentional burning of firewood at a low temperature (i.e. loading up wood at night in a stove and dampering down).
Will sweeping of my flue make my house messy?
NO, our members take every step to ensure maximum cleanliness. This includes the usage of clean tarps and a commercial vacuum to eliminate odors in the customer’s home.
How often should I get my chimney swept?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that a homeowner have their chimney inspected yearly and serviced as needed.
How often should I have my chimney inspected?
The National Fire Protection Association recommends that you have your chimney inspected yearly.
What if I don’t have a fireplace?
Many homes have a chimney flue serving the heating system. Unswept furnace flues are a carbon monoxide threat in addition to fire hazard.
Do I need a rain cap for my chimney?
Properly-sized rain caps keep out animals, leaves, and masonry-destroying water, and prevent spark from igniting combustible materials in the area.
What is a chimney liner?
A flue lining in a masonry chimney is defined as “A clay, ceramic, or metal conduit installed inside of a chimney, intended to contain the combustion products, direct them to the outside atmosphere, and protect the chimney walls from heat and corrosion.” Although building codes vary from one locality to another, the installation of flue lining has been recommended since the early part of this century, and indeed most fire codes now mandate liners.
How can you protect against carbon monoxide poisoning?
- Have your furnace, fireplace, wood, gas, coal, or pellet stoves inspected and swept before each heating season. Have your fuel burning appliances checked regularly as well.
- Use non-electrical space heaters only in well-ventilated areas.
- Do not start or idle gas lawnmowers, cars, trucks, or other vehicles in an enclosed area, even with the garage doors open.
- Vent fuel-burning appliances outside whenever possible.
- Do not ever use a charcoal grill inside your home, garage, tent, or camper.
- Do not use portable heaters or lanterns while sleeping in enclosed areas such as tents, campers, and other vehicles. This is especially important at high altitudes, where the risk of CO poisoning is increased.
- Read and follow manufacturer instructions and precautions that come with any fuel-burning device. • Do not ever use a gas oven for heat inside your home.
- Use an approved carbon monoxide detector with an audible alarm inside your home.
My fireplace stinks, especially in the summer. What can I do?
The smell you’re catching whiffs of is from creosote deposits (a natural byproduct of woodburning) in the chimney. The odor is usually worse in the summer when the humidity is high and the air conditioner is turned on – call it the perfect storm for bringing out the aroma.
So, how do you get rid of the smell?
A good chimney sweeping will help, but it won’t usually solve the problem completely. There are commercial chimney deodorants that work pretty well, and many people have good results putting baking soda or even kitty litter in the fireplace to absorb the odor.
The real problem is the air being drawn down the chimney – a symptom of overall pressure problems in the house. Some make-up air should be introduced somewhere else in the house to prevent air from being drawn down the chimney. A tight sealing top-mounted damper can also reduce airflow coming down the chimney, thus reducing issues with odor.
