Do I need to clean my chimney?

A fireplace makes a home cozy in winter, but it also requires cleaning to keep your family safe. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 28 percent of home heating fires are caused by a failure to clean solid-fueled heating equipment — primarily chimneys. On top of that scary fact, nearly 20 percent of all fire deaths are caused by home heating equipment. At a minimum, the NFPA urges homeowners to have chimneys and fireplaces inspected once a year to ensure there are no obstructions blocking the flow of air or any buildup of dangerous and highly flammable creosote.

A certified chimney sweep will know what warning signs to look for and have the proper tools. Besides personal safety, saving money is a great motivation for having a chimney sweep regularly clean your chimney. If your chimney liner is not kept clean and in good working order, replacing it can cost thousands of dollars.

A yearly cleaning is the baseline for a safe chimney. If your chimney is your main heating source, ask your chimney sweep whether you should have it cleaned more often. If your chimney is not venting properly and smoke is coming into your house, if you notice that the wood you burn is not burning efficiently (turning completely to ash) or if you have other concerns, call for a chimney cleaning and inspection right away.