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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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This section should answer some of the questions we hear most often. |
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How Often Should My Chimney Be Cleaned?
What Is Creosote? Why Should My Chimney Be Inspected? Why Should I Have My Chimney Cleaned? Why Do I Need A Chimney Cap? What Type Of Wood Should I Burn? How Often Should My Chimney Be Cleaned? Most chimneys should be cleaned after a cord of wood has been burned. Of course, there are several other factors that could necessitate a different cleaning schedule: How often you burn, how you manage your fire, the wood you burn, how well seasoned the wood is, and the weather. Back to Top What Is Creosote? Creosote is a combination of unburned gases and unburned tar-like liquids. When these come in contact with a cooler surface, they condense on that surface. In your chimney, it can appear as a black or brown coating. It can be sooty, dry and flaky, sticky, or hard and shiny. These deposits can reduce draft and cause smoke to spill into your room. Whatever form it takes, it is highly flammable. If large amounts build up, the result could be a chimeny fire. Back to Top Why Should My Chimney Be Inspected? You should have your chimney inspected every year by a chimney professional. The inspection will determine if there is enough creosote buildup to warrant a cleaning, if you have structural problems such as loose brick or mortar damage, and if the chimney itself is in safe working order. Back to Top Why Should I Have My Chimney Cleaned? Chimney cleaning removes creosote and debris that could cause a chimney fire from your chimney. Back to Top Why Do I Need A Chimney Cap? Chimney caps serve several purposes. They keep rain out of the chimney, which helps preserve your brick and mortar. They keep out animals such as birds and squirrels. Caps reduce the risk of your roof catching on fire by acting as a spark arrestor. And if they haven't proved useful enough already, they also keep out leaves and inhibit downdrafts which can fill your room with smoke. Back to Top What Type Of Wood Should I Burn? If at all possible, you should burn hardwoods such as oak, ash, hickory, pecan, dogwood, and birch to name a few. Dry hardwoods, because of their high-burning temperatures and low smoke density, leave less creosote in your chimney. Back to Top |
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