Chimney Cleaning
A certified chimney sweep will be able to recommend ways to improve the safety and efficiency of your appliance and venting system.
The primary goal of chimney cleaning is to remove deposits that are combustible or detrimental to the efficiency of your heating system, and to evaluate the condition of your chimney’s venting system.
Deposits Commonly Found in New Hampshire Chimneys
Creosote is a flammable by–product of incomplete combustion. Creosote begins as condensed wood smoke including tar fogs and vapors that become a combustible deposit in the venting system. Creosote is a black or brown residue that can be crusty and flaky…tar-like, or shiny and hardened. If creosote it builds up in sufficient quantities – and the internal flue temperature is high enough – the result could be a chimney fire.
Why Should Deposits Be Cleaned out of Chimneys?
There are several reasons to remove deposits from chimneys and fireplaces:
- Because most byproducts of combustion are highly flammable
- To ensure that the appliance vents properly to the outdoors
- To prevent chimney fires
- To reduce or eliminate chimney odors
- To remove blockages that could cause carbon monoxide gases to enter the home
- To prevent deterioration of the chimney interior caused by acids in the deposits
How Often Should My Chimney Be Cleaned?
Chimney inspection will help to determine how often a chimney should be cleaned. Some of the key factors that influence how often chimney cleaning should occur include:
- Type of appliance (boiler, furnace, wood stove, pellet stove, gas stove, etc.)
- Flue size, which varies based on appliance type
- Substance burned (oil, gas, wood, pellets, etc.)
- Interior temperature maintained in the building (the colder the building, the more the buildup)
- Climate and weather – especially considering New Hampshire’s seasonal temperature swings
When Is The Best Time to Clean My Chimney?
We advise chimney cleaning around the end of the burning season, in the spring or summer. Cleaning helps to reduce the odor of creosote during summer’s humid months, and ensures that your chimney is ready for use when cooler temperatures return. Early identification of potential problems will also gain you plenty of time to address repairs in the off-season.
Affiliations: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Northeast Association of Chimney & Hearth Professionals (NEACHP), Massachusetts Chimney Sweep Guild (MCSG), Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), and BBB A+rating.