Why do chimneys need to be swept?

Fireplaces provide our home with so much warmth, making it cozy and comfortable for our whole family. Especially during winters when it can be too cold and dreary, having a lit fireplace can definitely be a helpful addition to your household.

When you own a fireplace, you can continue enjoying its heat if you will maintain it properly. Fireplaces and chimneys need care, as they may be the cause of some unfortunate accidents you would not want to happen in your home. They would also need to be serviced now and then, but this is just a task that every responsible owner should do to make their fireplace and chimney last and to keep their loved ones away from danger.

Is it really necessary to have your chimney swept?

One of the most important things you need to do as an owner of a fireplace is to have your chimney swept regularly. Chimneys are the structure that is usually installed on top of roofs and are mainly responsible for getting the smoke produced by the heat outside of your home. They can be made of various materials such as brick and stone and can be an attractive feature of your exteriors.

When you use your fireplace, it will eventually have soot and creosote buildup, and they usually perch in your chimney, which is the pathway of smoke. Creosote and soot is the main reason why chimney fires happen, and this unfortunately happens a lot, especially in the United States. This is why it is absolutely necessary to sweep your chimney regularly.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recognizes how many fireplace owners do not take fireplace and chimney maintenance seriously and therefore advise cleaning them often.

Why should you have your chimney swept?

You have heard it before. Chimneys need to be swept, and this should be done regularly. Here are the benefits when you sweep your chimney:

1.Regular chimney sweeping helps you protect your property.

Chimney fires that are usually due to the buildup of creosote and soot can be easily avoided by scheduling a regular sweeping. Sadly, there are many properties in the United States who have been damaged by fire due to an unmaintained chimney and fireplace every year. Depending on your fireplace or the fuel you use, you may need to sweep your chimney more or less but to be sure, it would be better to ask a professional to have your chimney looked at.

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2. Regular chimney sweeping helps you protect your family.

Creosote, soot, and other debris can accumulate in your chimney if it was not swept, which can get stuck and block the passageway for smoke and gas that is supposed to be released outside of your home. This can cause the gas to stay inside instead, which is extremely dangerous. Carbon monoxide is invisible to the naked eye and has no smell, and can poison people who inhaled lots of it. Carbon monoxide poisoning is very serious, and there are many people who have sadly passed away from it. To protect your loved ones, cleaning your chimney is a minor inconvenience that is worth your time, effort, and resources.

3. Regular chimney sweeping helps you save money.

Chimney sweeping can cost you a small fee to hire a professional, but the savings that will result from it can be considered a substantial amount. If your chimney is regularly cleaned, you will only be charged little by your contractor, as it will take less time. Compared to a chimney that is too dirty and has been years since it was cleaned, it will undoubtedly cost you more to hire an expert to clean.

4. Regular chimney sweeping can potentially help you spot problems early.

Yes, chimney inspections are different from chimney sweeping. However, depending on your contractor, most would offer a free inspection if you schedule your maintenance regularly. This can help you know about potential problems in your chimneys that can be fixed earlier. It’s just like hitting two birds with one stone.

5. Regular chimney sweeping makes you a better neighbor.

Another benefit that comes with being a responsible owner is that it can make you a better neighbor. Most homeowners are not aware that their chimney can be annoying to their neighbors, especially if it is smoking excessively. There are also times when soot from their chimney would end up on the other side of the lawn. When you have your chimney cleaned regularly, your neighbors might appreciate it.

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Chimney sweeping overview

To know additional information about how to take care of your chimney to avoid accidents and dangerous events, we should talk about who should sweep your chimney, how often chimneys need to be swept, and other important things that would make you a more responsible homeowner.

Who should you call to sweep your chimney?

There are professionals who are specially trained to do service, repair, and maintenance to chimneys. They are usually called chimney contractors, chimney pros, chimney technicians, or chimney experts. No matter what they are called, they focus on one thing, and that is your chimney. You should know a trusted chimney contractor in your area that you can contact if there is something wrong with your chimney or if you want to schedule to have it cleaned.

What happens during a chimney sweep?

On the day you have scheduled for your chimney contractor, they will go to your property with tools that will help them clean your chimney. Each part of your chimney will be swept, brushed, and wiped, such as its flue and liner. Your contractor might also do a regular inspection that is included in the sweeping, though it would be best to confirm it beforehand.

All debris that may have gotten stuck would be removed. This debris can be anything: leaves, birds, droppings, soot, and other things that would cause problems with your chimney and fireplace if not taken care of.

How often should you have your chimney swept?

How often you need to have your chimney swept would more often depend on several factors.

Use - If you use your fireplace a lot, you may need to have it cleaned twice (or more) a year. However, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends having it swept at least once a year.
Fuel and wood – The fuel and wood you use for your fireplace might influence your sweeping appointments, as some can produce more soot and creosote compared to others.

What if you haven’t used your fireplace?

If you have not used your fireplace for a year or more, it will still need to be cleaned. Having your chimney swept will maintain it better and will let it be in good shape for a lot longer.

Chimneys can be used by birds for nesting, and this will undoubtedly damage their structure soon. It can also be a home for raccoons, which you would not want to happen. Cleaning regularly effectively discourages critters to stay in your chimney.

How would you know if your chimney needs sweeping?

You can usually tell if you will need a chimney sweeping if the following indicators are present:

You can see or hear animals or pests in your chimney.
It takes a longer time for you to get a fire started.
It takes a longer time for you to get rid of the smoke smell.
The smoke from your fireplace stays in the room.
You can see a significant amount of soot and creosote buildup.

If it has not been too long since your last chimney appointment and you have noticed the signs above, this could mean that you will need to schedule one soon.