Chimney Sweeping (or Chimney Cleaning)

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends all homeowners have annual inspections of all their chimneys, fireplaces and (clothes dryer) vents.

One of the reasons to clean your chimney is because of the potential fire hazards that may occur when you don't have it cleaned.

An annual chimney sweeping will prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and prevent house and chimney fires.

Don't think that's so important?

Well, without proper maintenance, heating systems (your fireplace or furnace) can release toxic gases into your living area that can create a health hazard, causing serious illness, or even death.

Not sweeping (or cleaning) your chimney and fireplace has been known to cause house fires and or property damage.

When tar and soot (otherwise known as creosote) from burning wood or natural gas form on the inside walls of your fireplace, it must be removed, and preferably by a chimney professional. Chimney sweeping is creosote removal.

Many brand new homes have a problem with chimney deterioration (brick spalling, brick cracking and mortar joint erosion). The reason being is because of modern, high efficiency, heating appliances (ie: furnaces, water heaters, wood stoves, etc.) are more efficient than they have ever been, but the excess condensation they create cause more build up (creosote build up) in chimneys than ever before, so it's important that every household have a regular checkup from a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep.

As wood burns, the by-products of combustion (smoke), flow away from the fire and up the chimney. Because the chimney is cooler than the fire, condensation occurs. This means that soot and tar form a residue that sticks to the interior of your chimney. This residue (creosote) is a highly flammable substance, and if it is not regularly removed, it can ignite and cause dangerous chimney fires.

FACT: Creosote preservative or creosote chemical, is a liquid by-product of coal, used to preserve telephone poles and railroad ties. Not to be confused with "wood smoke" creosote.

The Silent Chimney Fire

When creosote in your chimney ignites, the chimney fire might not be noticed at first, this is when it becomes a silent danger.

The fire in the chimney burns so slowly and reaches such high temperatures that it quietly damages the chimney and surrounding structures, or may suddenly start other areas of the house on fire. Again, these flue fires are usually preventable through regular, professional inspections and cleanings. 

The Loud Chimney Fire 

Better than 50% of the time, people hear the chimney fire because they're noisy. These fires have enough upward force that they cause a loud noise to be noticed. According to professional firefighters, it sounds like a freight train howling and whistling. The loud chimney fire is commonly due to "heavier" creosote build-up.

Wood burning stoves and fireplaces are one of the leading causes of house fires nationwide. These fires are usually caused by improperly installed heating appliances, or the lack of chimney maintenance. Some fires of course, destroy the whole home; but any house fire causes damage, this can leave a lasting smell that lingers for many years.

Not only will a chimney fire cause fireplace and chimney odor, but there are other causes as well.

The spring thaw and summer heat often bring odors from fireplaces or woodstoves. You don't have to live with them all year long; cleaning your chimney in the spring can eliminate "sooty" smells all summer long.

FACT: Good, quality chimney cleaning is what will eliminate any "sooty" smell. If your fireplace still has an odor after sweeping, either it was NOT cleaned properly or throughly enough, or other issues with your fireplace or chimney need to be addressed.

Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because it is not easily detected. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistaken for common illnesses such as headaches, the common cold, nausea, fatigue, depression, or worse.

Carbon monoxide detectors are now readily available and no home should be without at least two of them: One on each level of the house and another near the sleeping area of the home. Detectors are NOT a substitute for routine maintenance, but can be a lifesaver should problems occur.

Carbon monoxide problems are often caused by poor ventilation, and blocked chimneys are one of the largest single causes of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home. 

FACT: Carbon monoxide is commonly referred to as CO. 

Recent figures prove that disasters occur when chimneys are not cleaned.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, reports that in 1996, some 23,600 residential fires in the 50 states were related to solid fuel appliances and equipment. 5,500 chimney and chimney vent fires resulted from heating systems burning liquid and other fuels. The cost of these fires is tragic: 130 people died, 230 people were injured, and over losses totaling over $184 million dollars in total property damage.

A minimum of 119 deaths from carbon monoxide and at least 4,700 "injuries" were reported for the same time frame, though most estimates range much higher. For example, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 200 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by problems with the their home's external venting systems.

The Journal of the American Medical Association estimates that 1,600 people die each year from toxic fumes. Another 10,000 cases of carbon monoxide-related injuries are diagnosed each year. The difficulty of diagnosis also means the numbers of people affected is probably even higher. And though no new government study has been published since then, because of the new more highly efficient heating systems, we believe these figures are much, much higher today. While these are tragic statistics, they can be avoided.

Call the Chimney Department at 630-584-6620 if you have any questions regarding your chimney or fireplace.

We have over 65 years of combined skill as certified chimney professionals and professional certified firefighters. We would be happy to answer any questions you have.

Many homeowners think their chimneys only need to be cleaned and inspected if they burn wood in their fireplaces or wood stoves. But almost all heating appliances, whether they burn gas, oil, wood or coal, rely on the chimney to safely carry toxic gases produced by the heating system of the house.

A carbon monoxide detector (that is checked at least 4 x per year) can warn homeowners if the deadly gas has already entered the living area, but an annual chimney inspection can help prevent carbon monoxide from entering the home in the first place.