Yes and yes, but you should have realistic expectations. And most importantly, burning a sweeping log should not replace an annual chimney cleaning! When you burn a sweeping log, the creosote dries up into a flaky consistency.
This makes a professional chimney sweep's job much easier, but still necessary. Same as a wood-burning setup, gas fireplace chimneys should be inspected and cleaned once a year. It's not so much the creosote to worry about as a bird's nest might need to be removed. Yes and no. The same issues creosote and soot buildup occur in wood stove chimneys as well as regular fireplace chimneys. Cleaning should occur annually, but the process for cleaning a wood stove pipe is on a smaller scale.
First, consult your owner's manual. Burning creosote cleaning logs first can make the job easier, and consulting a professional or the local fire department is also a smart option.
Remember, safety first! Country Life. Both the NFPA and Spisto recommend getting your chimney cleaned and inspected once a year by a qualified professional. Carli says that regardless of chimney type, you should you have your chimney swept at least one time a year.
If you have oil or wood burning fireplaces, Spisto says that you should clean those twice a year, depending on usage. While you should hire a professional to get your chimney cleaned and inspected annually, you can also follow best practices to help maintain your chimney year-round. To do this, Spisto recommends keeping your firebox clean, making sure your damper is open before using your fireplace, and investing in a chimney cap or crown, which are designed to prevent debris and even small animals from entering your chimney and home.
She also suggests making sure your chimney has stainless steel liner to keep it up to code. If you notice any of these signs, a chimney sweep or inspection is probably necessary. If you want to check the inside of your flue or chimney yourself, make sure you wear goggles and a dust mask.
Then, get yourself a torch and shine it up the inside of the firebox. You can find more advice on our guide to cleaning and maintaining your stove. The build up of soot, creosote and tar can block fumes from escaping and ignite under heat. Without inspection by a professional chimney sweep, cracks and corrosion could also lead to other flammable debris falling into your chimney.
Cracks can also lead to you getting damp in your chimney, which can cause a number of problems in your home. You can find out more about chimney fires here. Creosote is a thick black substance that is caused by burning solid fuel. It forms when fire is burnt too slowly or burns incompletely. When the smoke cools and sticks to your chimney wall it turns into creosote. If you begin to find an excessive build-up of creosote, you might be burning your fire incorrectly.
Read the tips below to find out what you might be doing wrong…. Creosote can increase the risk of developing chimney fires that can potentially lead to structural damage of your chimney. There may also be other blockages in the chimney such as bird nests that can increase the risk of a fire starting in your chimney.
A partially blocked chimney can also lead to blackening of your fireplace, where soot from the fire rises out into your home rather than up the chimney. A lined chimney works in the same way as a regular chimney and so should also follow the minimum recommended cleaning intervals outlined above.
The type of flue will dictate how often it should be cleaned. If there is damage to the top of your chimney, such as damage to your cowl, you will most likely have to pay extra for any work that requires access via a ladder or scaffolding from the outside of your house.
If your chimney sweep has to travel further to reach your home, expect that cost to be reflected in the quote. The cleaning should take anywhere between 20 minutes to an hour and a half. The actual time will depend of how large, how tall, how many chimney stacks your house has and if there are any abnormal blockages. Your chimney sweep will need clear access to your chimney from your fireplace so make sure that your mantelpiece and hearth are clear of ornaments and any other items, just to be sure that nothing gets dirty or broken.
You should also clear up any left over ash, wood, burnt logs or other types of fuel from your fireplace so that the chimney sweep can get on with cleaning straight away. It may be the case that a certificate is required by your home insurance.
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