Top Tidbits You Need To Know About Your Chimney
Whether you are buying your first home with a chimney or perhaps having one installed so you can enjoy a fireplace, there are some basic facts you should know. That new fireplace will add significant ambiance to the home, but there are also some maintenance and safety issues of which you need to be aware.
- You chimney should be inspected and cleaned at least once a year. This ensures that the chimney is structurally sound and clean, therefore safe to use.
- When scheduling your chimney cleaning and inspection, only use NCSG certified chimney sweeps.
- Regardless of how often your chimney and fireplace have been used the prior year, the fireplace and chimney still need a thorough cleaning prior to the new season. Some prefer to have them cleaned in the spring (stating the benefit of having the creosote buildup removed and avoiding any musty odors over a hot summer), while others recommend an early fall cleaning (this will ensure that any birds or debris that may have gotten into the chimney during the spring and summer will be removed before the fireplace and chimney are in use again).
- Never operate the chimney unless the damper is fully open.
- Creosote is a substance created by flue gas residue and unburned wood particles. It gathers in the flue with usage of the chimney. As little as 1/8″ is enough to start a fire.
- Never burn trash or plastics in your chimney. It is meant to burn wood, not become a trash incinerator.
- A chimney cap can prevent water, debris, and animals from getting into your chimney. If you do not have one installed, consider having this done as soon as possible.
- Chimney Swifts are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty. If a swift makes its home in your chimney, it cannot be removed until the birds migrate south for the winter.
- You should use some type of fireplace screen when your fireplace is in use. This can prevent embers from inadvertently escaping the fireplace as well as prevent children and animals from reaching into the fire.
- Your chimney has a protective liner inside of it. These lines can be made from a variety of materials, such as stainless steel and clay. The liner should be checked periodically to ensure structural integrity.