General Questions

How often should my chimney be cleaned?

The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual inspection/cleaning of all chimneys for safety. Removal of flammable creosote is one of the tasks that the sweep will perform while servicing your chimney. During the cleaning other areas that are checked for safety are your cap, flue, smoke chamber, smoke shelf, damper, firebox, exterior brick, flashing, and crown. If detected early, small repairs can save you thousands of dollars. Our sweeps are also trained in detecting creosote glazing and helping to correct the cause of it.

Do the powders and logs I see advertised to eliminate creosote really work?

Powders and potions have been around for over twenty years that claim to reduce or eliminate creosote in the chimney. Our field observations of homeowners that try these chemicals have shown that not only do they not eliminate creosote, some are actually causing severe damage to the chimney interior. These methods not only do not eliminate creosote, they also produce a caustic acid when burned, and deposit on the inside of your chimney. Be wary of anything boasting all natural ingredients. In most cases this means sodium chloride (table salt) being deposited in your flue. Salt mixed with humidity and moisture spells disaster both for masonry and metal interiors of chimneys. Much like salt on your sidewalks in the wintertime.

What type of wood is best to use in my fireplace?

The most common type of wood to order from this area of the country is mixed hardwoods. The most important thing is to burn a well-seasoned wood. Wood should be cut and split and left to dry 12 months and stored with a cover over the top with the sides left open for air circulation. Stay away from pine because of its high pitch content and never burn cardboard, plywood, Christmas wrapping, treated, or painted wood. The smokier the fire you have, the more creosote you will be depositing in your chimney.