How Often Should I Clean My Chimney?

05 Jun How Often Should I Clean My Chimney?

I was recently talking to a friend and mentioned that I was having my chimney cleaned the next day. She looked at me with a puzzled face and asked why? She told me she had lived in her house for almost five years and never had her chimney cleaned. It wasn’t even something that she thought about because she said they never use their fireplace. I explained to her that even if you never use your fire place (or don’t have one for that matter) – that you still need to have your chimney cleaned or at the very least – inspected once a year.
A chimney helps to keep the air in your home, clean and breathable. To keep your chimney running safely and effectively – it needs special care. If you do not keep your chimney clean and well maintained, it can be very dangerous. I explained that neglected chimneys can cause chimney fires, which can damage structures, destroy homes and injure or kill people. I then gave her the number of a reputable chimney sweep. Guess what? She called them the very next day.
While most of us may not wait five years to have our chimneys cleaned, it is quite often not something that we think about very much, especially if you don’t have a fire place. However, in addition to fireplaces or wood burning stoves, kitchen stoves, furnaces and heating appliance systems are all connected to venting systems such as chimneys. Even without frequent use, over time dirt, grime, creosote and soot can build up in these venting systems, causing blockages and becoming fire hazards. In other cases, small animals and pests may begin building nests inside your chimney. You would never find this out unless you have your chimney inspected – or if they make their way into your home first!  If this is the case you may need to hire a professional pest control company as well.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends that you clean your chimney at least once a year or even more frequently if you have a fireplace or wood burning appliance that you use frequently. They also recommend that all chimneys, fireplaces and vents be inspected at least once a year. It is a fact that a chimney that is properly maintained and cleaned regularly – will work safely, effectively and efficiently.
If you are a homeowner, make sure to have your chimney inspected and cleaned at least once a year and possibly more often if you use your fireplace frequently. You should hire a reputable and experienced chimney sweep to properly maintain your chimney to ensure the safety of your home and most importantly, your family.
Pro-Tech Chimney Sweeps offer complete chimney cleaning services that include high powered vacuuming of your entire system, removing hazardous or combustible creosote, eliminating any accumulation of soot from coal and oil systems and thorough fire prevention inspections and maintenance services. Contact Protech Chimney Sweeps today at 631-806-8550 or 516-284-1295 to schedule a chimney cleaning service to ensure that your chimney is working efficiently to protect the safety of your home.