EcoClean Air Duct Cleaning Blog

Chimney Safety

To combat creosote accumulation in your chimney:
1. On average, your chimney needs to be cleaned after every two cords of wood that are burned.
2. To reduce build up and use fuel efficiently ~ keep your fires hot, and provide them with plenty of oxygen.
3. Damping fires to keep them burning longer produces more smoke and solid by-products.

Creosote typically builds up in the top third of your chimney. Heavy creosote accumulation on the inside surface ignites, in the chimney, and will sometimes burn a while before it’s noticed in the home. Creosote must be annually cleaned from your chimney or flue pipe in order to reduce the possibility of a chimney fire. Getting a chimney inspection will help warn you if there is heavy build up.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) warns of the hazard of a serious accumulation of soot and burning byproduct, which is called “creosote”. As little as one-quarter inch of buildup can restrict air flow up to 30%. Smoke and gasses are forced back into your home and at the very least your furnace or wood-burning stove works far less efficiently.

How often should I have my chimney cleaned?
This a tougher question than it sounds. The simple answer is: The National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 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.” This is the national safety standard and is the correct way to approach the problem. 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 to use.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that open masonry fireplaces should be cleaned at 1/8″ of sooty buildup, and sooner if there is any glaze present in the system. Factory-built fireplaces should be cleaned when any appreciable buildup occurs. This is considered to be enough fuel buildup to cause a chimney fire capable of damaging the chimney or spreading to the home.

The CSIA also points out that birds and small animals think your chimney looks like a hollow tree in which to set up housekeeping. Sweeps often find chimneys literally packed full of leaves, twigs and baby animals. The solution is a good chimney cleaning and a chimney cap, which we will advise you on.

Chimney inspections should be performed annually. This is not our advice because we “sell” this vital service. This is the recommendation of consumer protection departments – who are looking out for you – in nearly all states.

What does a chimney inspection look for?
1. Missing or loose flashing – the metal sheeting that keeps watertight the place where the roof and chimney meet
2. The firebox – the brick area where you build your fire; loose bricks and degraded mortar should be repaired.
3. The mortar crown repair—the concrete-like surface at the top of your chimney that keeps water out of your flue.
4. Blockage – from birds, rodents, leaves and branches must not be overlooks in chimney inspections.
5. All mortar and brick – essential to the structural integrity, proper venting and beauty of your chimney.
6. The damper—a damper closes the flue when you aren’t using the fireplace so heat doesn’t escape through the chimney.
7. The Flue—the flue is the internal part of the chimney that funnels exhaust from your fireplace to the outside; if it cracks, breaks, or is blocked by debris or creosote build up it is a safety hazard.

If I heat with gas. Should this chimney be checked too?
Without a doubt! Although gas is generally a clean burning fuel, the chimney can become non-functional from bird nests or other debris blocking the flue. Modern furnaces can also cause many problems with the average flues intended to vent the older generation of furnaces.

For more information please feel free to call us or visit our website at www.EcoCleanChimneyService.com