Chimney & Fireplace Frequently Asked Questions

A: Yes! With each and every fire, flammable particles can settle along the walls of your chimney liner. As these particles and deposits build up, they can cause a chimney fire, which can quickly spread to nearby combustibles, trees, and onto the roof.

Now, you may be thinking that’s not a big deal – fireplaces and chimneys are meant to contain fire, right? Actually, fireplaces are meant to contain fire…chimneys are not. The intense heat can crack a clay tile liner or cause damage to a metal liner, and within minutes, the fire can spread to other areas of the home. So yes, chimney cleanings really are that important. They remove combustible byproducts, reduce your fire risk, and make enjoying your fireplace safer.

A: The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends having your fireplace cleaned when soot deposits reach a thickness of ¼”. You’ll also want to schedule the moment you notice glazed deposits.

Scheduling annual inspections can help alert you when it’s time to have a professional chimney cleaning performed. “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary.” (The National Fire Protection Association, standard 211).

Inspections can reveal problems earlier – plus, having a pro look at the inside of your chimney every year means you don’t have to get out the flashlight and evaluate soot and creosote buildup yourself. We’ll take a look and let you know if it’s time to clean your chimney.

A: Even if you rarely use your chimney and fireplace, it’s imperative that you have it inspected annually and cleaned regularly to ensure that there is no water damage, flue blockages, or other decay or damage. 

Chimney and fireplace damage doesn’t just come from use. Wear and tear often comes from chimney leaks and nesting animals or blockages in the flue, for example. Chimney leaks are typically hard to spot at first, but water can do a lot of damage to the masonry of your chimney or the metal and wood of your prefabricated chimney. And once water’s inside, the damage can continue to spread to drywall and ceilings near the chimney and wood framing in attics.

In addition, unused chimneys are the perfect sanctuary for birds and other critters. The more access they have, the more damage your system will face…and the more your home value will go down in the process.

By scheduling annual inspections, regardless of how often your fireplace is used, you have a leg up on potential damage and issues that could threaten your wallet and your safety. So even if you never use your fireplace, it’s worth scheduling an inspection.

A: If your fireplace is smoking, don’t think it’s normal. It may be a result of:

1. Flue blockage. Creosote buildup, animals, nesting materials, or other flue blockages could be causing your smoke problems. The best way to resolve this issue is to schedule a professional chimney cleaning.
2. A closed damper. Your smoke problem may be a simple fix — have you checked to make sure your damper is open?
3. A flue that is too small for the appliance it is venting. Another common cause of smoke problems is a flue that is not big enough to vent the appliance. If placing a 4” to 6” wide piece of aluminum foil above your fireplace opening seems to help, you may want to have a Smoke Guard or a draft induction fan installed.
4. A chimney that is too short. If your chimney is not tall enough, it won’t be able to properly remove smoke from your home. If this is the cause of your problems, we may be able to simply extend your chimney.

If your fireplace is smoking a lot and you’ve already made sure the damper is fully opened, the best thing to do is to schedule an inspection. During an inspection, we’ll check for blockages in the flue, chimney height issues, flue-to-fireplace opening issues, air pressure problems, and anything else that could negatively impact draft. Depending on the source of the trouble, we may recommend a chimney extension, a smoke guard, a chimney fan, a new damper, or some other solution.

A: Most fireplace odor problems can be attributed to creosote buildup, especially if you notice the odor getting worse with the warmer months. If you have an odor problem, schedule a professional cleaning. For particularly bad odors, you may also need to use baking soda, kitty litter, or a commercial chimney deodorant to resolve the issue. Be sure to also have your chimney checked for leaks.

Another common cause of fireplace odor is animal-related. Birds, raccoons, and other animals can choose the chimney as a nesting spot. And when they do, they bring nesting materials, feces, food, and unpleasant odors along with them. These animals can sometimes get stuck and die in the chimney as well, which can produce an incredibly awful odor.

As with anything, the best way to figure out what’s going on is to schedule an inspection and chimney cleaning. We can remove creosote, check for chimney leaks, and inspect for animals. If animals are the issue, we can remove them as well – as long as they aren’t federally protected, like the Chimney Swift. We may also recommend a chimney deodorant.

A: The first thing you should do in the event of a chimney fire is call the fire department and get everyone out of the home.

Once the fire is taken care of, you’ll need to have your chimney professionally inspected and cleared for safe use before using it again. We’ll come out, assess the damage, and make repair recommendations so you can get back to safely enjoying your fireplace again.

We think you are talking about the chimney swift – one of four regularly occurring species of swifts found in North America and the most common swift found east of the Rockies. They got their name because they have become accustomed to building their nests in chimneys, as well as abandoned buildings and occasionally stone wells.

Chimney Swifts are federally-protected birds that love nesting in chimneys during the summer and early fall.

And yes – removing, killing, or harming them in any way can have heavy penalties and fines with it. No chimney sweep that wants to stay in the business will do any of the above. However, they normally nest from May through November until they make their way home. At that time get your chimney inspected and swept. Also, add a chimney cap with a good animal and bird screen, as these birds will come back to the same nesting area every year if possible. These nests are highly flammable and can cause chimney fires if not removed.