Chimney FAQ

How often should I have my chimney cleaned and inspected?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that chimneys, fireplaces, and vents should be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary. This takes into account that even if you don't use your chimney much, animals may build nests in the flue or there may be other types of deterioration that could make the chimney unsafe to use. Annual chimney inspections are also recommended by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the NFPA to help prevent fire and carbon monoxide poisonings.

Typically, chimney cleaning depends on several factors like the fuel type used, the age of your home, the condition of your chimney, and the weather (mild winters cause more problems than cold ones). If you use wood, it's good to have the chimney inspected at least every 6-12 months (more often if you burn two or more cords of wood, or if you burn green wood). Your fireplace should be cleaned when the creosote buildup is between 1/8" and 1/4" deep. Although natural gas is a clean-burning fuel, today's high-efficiency gas furnaces create special problems. If your furnace vents into a masonry chimney, the fumes they produce are cooler and produce higher levels of water vapor than previous models, and this vapor produces more water condensation. These vapors also contain chlorides from house-supplied combustion air which combine to form hydrochloric acid. The acid-water condensates from these natural gas furnaces causing more flue deterioration than previous models making it very important to check these systems frequently. Annual chimney cleanings and inspections are recommended to ensure that the chimney has adequate draft, is free of debris and cracks, and has no loose or missing mortar joints. Call Chimney Repair NY today 1-877-952-7425 to schedule an appointment or request a Free Chimney Quote.

When is the best time of year for a chimney cleaning?

The end of the heating season is the best time for a chimney cleaning. You don't have to wait weeks for an appointment as in the fall, and if repairs are required, they can be completed in the spring and summer. Contact us 1-877-952-7425 anytime for your chimney cleaning.

Should my chimney be checked even if I heat with gas?

Yes, gas is typically a clean burning fuel but the chimney can become non-functional from animal nests or other debris blocking the flue. Modern furnaces can also cause many problems with the average flues intended to vent the older generation of furnaces. Please contact us 1-877-952-7425 for more information about gas and carbon monoxide.

What is Creosote and where does it come from?

Creosote is a corrosive, gummy, foul smelling, and extremely flammable tar like substance. Creosote is a natural by-product of burning wood. Wood smoke consists of tar acids, organic vapors, and water and when the smoke goes up into a chimney, it wafts over cooler surfaces. As this happens, the substances it contains condense and form a residue that sticks to the inner walls of the chimney. If no precautions are taken it will coat the insides of everything it passes through. Creosote takes several forms, all bad. As a liquid, it can run down the insides of pipes and chimneys, oozing out of any openings. It can form a hard layer coating the insides of pipes and chimney liners. It can form into a fluffy substance that plugs pipes and breaks off and falls down, filling low spots in piping. It is the cause of most chimney fires and the main reason chimneys and pipes have to be cleaned and inspected periodically.

Not only is creosote extremely flammable but it also poses a very dangerous health risk. Even small amounts of creosote can cause a fire. Letting it build up over time, simply a winter or two, and there will be enough to fuel a long, hot fire that can destroy your chimney and possibly your home. Prolonged periods of exposure to creosote can cause severe neurological disturbances. Some symptoms include severe headaches, breathing problems, nausea, and flu like symptoms. If you notice you have these symptoms in your home and not anywhere else then you may have creosote in your chimney. Contact a licensed chimney professional to evaluate your chimney for creosote. Call Chimney Repair NY today 1-877-952-7425 for a chimney inspection today.

Is there anything I can do to regulate the creosote from accumulating?

Yes, completely getting rid of creosote buildup isn't possible but there are several things you can do to keep creosote in check. Understanding how creosote forms and using and maintaining wood-burning appliances correctly is a good start. Cooler temperatures, moisture, and slow-burning fires cause greater creosote buildup. All wood contains moisture and wood burning releases pollutants in the form of gases and particulate matter. How much creosote forms and how quickly it forms depends on: how thick the smoke and fumes are, how hot the fire burns, and the temperature of the stove pipe or flue.

Every fire produces creosote and it builds up in every chimney. Here are a few factors to be aware of avoiding faster creosote buildup:
Poor air supply: Fires need oxygen to burn well. With fireplaces, not opening the damper wide enough or closing glass doors restricts the amount of air that flows into the fire. When this happens, the heated smoke from the fire can't travel as quickly up the chimney as it should. The longer the smoke stays in the flue, the more creosote it forms. With woodstoves, stopping down the damper or air inlets too soon or too much or not using the stovepipe damper correctly can cause the same problems.
Green wood: Green wood contains more moisture than seasoned wood. Burning it takes a lot of energy, which results in a cooler-than-normal fire that doesn't burn very efficiently.
Cool chimney temperatures: Creosote-creating condensation forms faster in exterior chimneys that are exposed to the elements than in chimneys that run through the interior of a house. Packing woodstoves tightly for an all-day burn creates large, cool fires instead of small, hot ones. When fires burn cool, chimneys can't heat up like they should.
Burning things other than wood: Plastic substances in things like boxes, wrapping paper, and trash can emit a corrosive acid that can worsen an existing creosote problem.

What can I do about the bad odor from my chimney which worsens in the summer?

The bad odor is from creosote deposits in the chimney, a natural byproduct of wood burning. The odor usually worsens in the summer when the humidity is high and the air conditioner is turned on. A good cleaning will help but usually won't solve the problem completely. There are commercial chimney deodorants that work pretty well, and many people have good results with baking soda or even kitty litter set in the fireplace. The main problem is the air being drawn down the chimney, a symptom of overall pressure problems in the house. Some make-up air should be introduced somewhere else in the house. A tight sealing, top mounted damper will also reduce this air flow coming down the chimney.

Why cap your chimney? / Do I need a flue cap?

The passageway in the chimney that conveys the gases out of a home and into the atmosphere, called the flue is a hole in your roof. If it is left uncapped it exposes your chimney to the following issues:

• Allows rain, snow, leaves, and debris to enter the chimney, leading to water damage and rusting of metal fireboxes and dampers and deterioration of mortar joints
• Invites nesting birds, insects, and animals leading to flue blockage, inadequate venting, and possible fire or carbon monoxide poisoning
• Creates a fire hazard by allowing sparks and burning embers from fireplaces to escape onto your roof or yard
• Allows for a greater wind induced downdraft which may affect fireplace performance

A flue cap is definitely recommended to avoid these costly problems from happening to your chimney.

Why is a chimney liner important?

Most chimneys are built with terra cotta flue liners inside of the brick/stone structure. The liner acts as a gas tight and heat resistant insulator. When a liner becomes cracked or damaged, there can be heat transferred through it to the masonry part of the chimney. The chimney comes in direct contact with the structure of the home, which is usually wood. When this contact occurs, there is risk of damage to your home's structure. A liner made of stainless steel or aluminum is inserted throughout the length of the entire chimney and connects to the appliance, furnace, woodstove, or fireplace. The unit will now vent through the liner, solving most draft and safety concerns.