It is recommended that homeowners have their chimney inspected annually and cleaned after every use or every two years. This is to ensure that all of their systems are working properly and functioning as they should. Most people choose to do a chimney clean every year, especially if they use their chimney regularly. Other ventilation systems connected to ovens and stoves should also be cleaned regularly to maintain safer operation. Fireplace, stove, oven and heating systems are important for the safety of your home and family, and not an area to neglect or reduce expenses.
Don't risk the possibility that an undiscovered defect will turn into a costly repair or, worse, a chimney fire. Annual maintenance is recommended, including cleaning and inspection. As with a wood burning installation, gas fireplace chimneys should be inspected and cleaned once a year. It's not so much creosote to worry about, as a bird's nest may need to be removed. There is no “firm and firm rule of thumb” for how often the chimney should be cleaned.
An examination by an experienced chimney sweep is the only way to know if your chimney, whether masonry or metal, needs cleaning. You should inspect or clean your chimney at least once a year for all types of chimneys. If you regularly burn wood or charcoal in your fireplace, you should sweep the fireplace every season. Modern prefabricated metal chimneys are specially treated to withstand the high temperatures of a chimney fire without suffering serious damage. Creosote can increase the risk of chimney fires that can cause structural damage to the chimney. The fireplace is likely to be used more in the winter months than at other times of the year, so set a reminder on your phone to have the chimney cleaned, or at least inspected, every year before winter.
The NFPA recommends that all chimneys be cleaned and inspected annually because if the system is compromised, a fire hazard is created. This means that there can be zero clearance to the inside of the chimney and zero clearance to the outside of the chimney. A certified chimney sweep, such as Petro equipment, can make the inside of your chimney safe, even if you only use it to ventilate your oven or heating system. In the UK, sweeping the chimney can cost between £30 and £80 for a standard chimney cleaning, but expect to pay a little more if you live in London. If you don't clean your chimney regularly, you could be endangering yourself, other people living in your home, and your own home. Chimney Anatomy 101 can help you determine what type of chimney and chimney you have so you know what to expect.
Statistics from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) indicate that more than 25,000 chimney fires occur annually in the U. S.A chimney sweep removes creosote, soot and blockages from chimney liners, combustion chambers, smoke chambers and dampers. When your chimney needs to be cleaned depends on many factors, including not only how often it is used, but also the type of wood that is burned. For UK residents, the National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) points out that factors such as the type of chimney, the type of fuel, the length of time the chimney has been used, the type of appliance and the moisture content of the wood will determine how often your chimney needs to be swept. You can try to remove creosote yourself but for thorough work call a chimney sweep certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
In addition to cleaning the chimney every year it is important to perform a professional check to ensure that the system is not in poor condition.
