Chimney Care Company's Blog

Off-season chimney sweeping

When most people plan out their annual home maintenance schedule, their annual chimney sweeping and inspection is automatically planned for the fall, just before the start of the fire-burning season. That doesn’t have to be the case! In fact, off-season chimney services — in the spring and summer — have many benefits.

Spot chimney damage early

Winter is hard on your chimney. Moisture, ice and low temperatures can cause cracks in your chimney’s structure and lead to water leaks in your chimney and into your home’s roofline.  By having your chimney swept and inspected in spring or early summer, you can spot problems early. That gives you time to plan, schedule and execute needed chimney repairs during the time of year that you don’t plan to use your chimney. When you have your chimney inspected in the spring, you can be sure that you’ll have it ready for the next fire-burning season.

Protect your chimney from creosote

You know that creosote raises your risk of a chimney fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Creosote also carries another hazard: It is acidic in nature, which means that it can cause corrosion and damage to your fireplace and chimney materials when it is allowed to sit for a long period of time. Removing creosote from your chimney as soon as you’re done burning fires for the season reduces that amount of time that creosote can damage your chimney. When creosote sits in your chimney during the warm, humid summer months, it also can cause an unpleasant smell to fill your home. A chimney cleaning will keep you fireplace, chimney and home smelling fine.

Keep your home and family safe

Regardless of the time of year you schedule it, your annual chimney sweeping and inspection is crucial for keeping your home and family safe. Removing flammable creosote from your chimney drastically reduces your risk for a chimney fire. It also allows the smoke and gases from your fireplace to safely exit your home, cutting your family’s risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Avoid the rush

Because most people plan to have their chimneys swept in the late summer or early fall, that’s our busy season. When you schedule a spring or summer chimney sweeping, you can beat the rush. With a spring or summer cleaning, you’ll be able to schedule your sweeping quickly. And, if damage is found and repairs are needed, you won’t have to delay repairs because of scheduling. We’ll be able to address your chimney problems immediately.

If you prefer to be on top of your home maintenance, call The Chimney Care Co. to schedule your chimney sweeping and inspection today! You’ll reap all of the benefits of an off season chimney sweeping; you’ll be able to spot and address any needed repairs, keep your chimney safe from the damaging effects of creosote, keep your family safe from the dangers of a chimney fire or carbon monoxide poisoning, and you’ll beat the fall rush for chimney services.

What to do about your smoking chimney

When you light a fire in your fireplace, you know the smoke is supposed to flow up and out of your chimney. One of the most common chimney problems is the failure of the chimney to draft properly, causing smoke to flow backward into the home. A smoking chimney can seem like a major problem, but there are many potential causes.

Cold chimney

If you notice your chimney smoking infrequently, and only in cold weather, the cold air could be to blame. Cold temperatures outside can cause cold, dense air to fill the chimney, particularly if the chimney is located on an exterior wall. When a fire is lit, the cold air can prevent smoke from rising out of the chimney. Fortunately, this problem can be fixed easily by preheating your chimney.

Faulty damper

You’re probably familiar with your damper’s operation; you open it each time you light a fire and close it when your fireplace isn’t in use to block any cold air from entering your home. Dampers are made from metal components that can rust or warp over time, hindering their operation. A damper that isn’t opening fully can prevent smoke from rising out of the chimney.

Down drafts

If you notice your chimney smoking on windy days, a down draft could be to blame. When wind strikes your chimney, it can force the air downward and force smoke back into your home. The good news is that this can be an easy fix: Often a sturdier chimney cap can block strong winds from making their way down your chimney.

Blocked chimney

If your chimney is obstructed, smoke won’t be able to exit your home. Chimneys can be blocked by bird or animal nests, or by an accumulation of leaves, twigs or other debris. If your chimney is overdue for a cleaning, a buildup of creosote can block the flue and force smoke back into your home.

Lack of oxygen

If your fire isn’t getting enough fuel to burn hot and fast, it won’t be able to direct smoke up the chimney. When a fire burns, it pulls in oxygen from the room, then the hot air and smoke are drawn up the chimney. If your fire isn’t able to pull enough air from your home to burn efficiently, the smoke won’t rise up the chimney quickly enough and will enter your home. Other appliances operating near the fireplace, like furnaces, stove hoods or bathroom fans, can inhibit the flow of oxygen to your fireplace. You also can open a window to help supply more cold air to your fireplace.

Improper chimney construction

Occasionally, improper chimney construction is to blame for a smoking chimney. If a chimney is too short or too small, too wide or too narrow, smoke won’t draft properly. Too many angles in a chimney can interfere with smoke’s path up and out of a chimney.

The only way to know for sure what is causing your chimney to smoke is to call a professional chimney sweep to inspect your chimney and evaluate your chimney’s draft. If you need to address a smoky chimney, call the experts at The Chimney Care Co. to schedule an appointment today!