Chimney
Maintenance
Creosote can collect on
the walls of your chimney, condensing into a
substance that can be think, sticky, powdery, or
chunky.
The National Fire
Protection Agency recommended yearly inspections
for wood burning stoves or fireplaces that are
used during the winter months.
When you burn soft woods, such as pine, or
paper, including cardboard or paper logs, you
create creosote, which is a residue that rises
with heat. Creosote can collect on the walls of
your chimney, condensing into a substance that
can be think, sticky, powdery, or chunky. Some
creosote deposits will be easier to clean than
others. The absence of a chimney cap makes your
fireplaces more difficult to clean, as it can
get clogged up with fallen leaves, debris and
animal nests. There is an increased fire danger
if left unclean, as these things can ignite and
set the whole house on fire.
To help avoid a chimney fire you can follow
these simple tips:
- Have a chimney cap
installed to keep debris out of your
chimney.
- Have someone inspect
your chimney for faults or cracks.
- Do not burn paper,
cardboard, or soft woods such as Christmas
trees. Stick to hard woods instead.
You can find some products
on the market that say they will remove creosote
from your chimney without the use of a
professional chimney cleaner. Be careful! If you
have a thick build up, or a very sticky
collection of creosote, you will probably want
to hire a professional chimney sweep.
The best time to have your chimney cleaned by a
professional chimney sweep is in the spring.
Since many people wait until it starts to get
cold in fall, you will find it easier to
schedule in the spring. You can expect to spend
between $30 - $50 for a chimney inspection, and
another $60 - $130 for the actual cleaning,
depending on how much work needs to be
completed. Check with your local Better Business
Bureau or ask for recommendations when you are
looking to find a good, certified chimney sweep.
References
General
resources - Roofing
and repairs - Home
improvement - Misc
guides
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