The air conditioner cover is on, the furnace filter has been changed…now what am I forgetting? Ah, that’s right. Get the chimney sweep done. Do I really need to sweep the chimney this year?
I use a gas fireplace. I don’t need to get it swept…right?
Gas fireplaces are a great convenience as they can be started and stopped quickly and the cleanup is minimal. However, a gas fireplace still has a firewall and as the system functions similar to a heating system, problems can occur such as:
- Cracking in the firewalls and/or liner
- Buildup of debris
- Cracked chimney crown
- Deteriorated masonry and joints
- Blockage in the ventilation
What if I don’t even use the fireplace?
There are homeowners that use the fireplace as a decoration and never turn it on. It may not need to be swept as often however it is best to have a certified technician inspect the structure annually so that you know it is ready for use when you do want to turn it on. Here are a few things you need to consider:
- Cracks and deteriorated firewalls, masonry and joints
- Chimney liners are not properly sized and installed causing moisture to enter your home
- Pests and nests love unused fireplaces
- Nature’s garbage can cause build-up of debris
I don’t use the wood burning fireplace often…just a couple times per year.
If you burn wood in your fireplace 1 or 100 times, tar and creosote accumulate and cling to the inside of the chimney. Creosote is a byproduct of wood combustion and found in the smoke of the open flame. Once it mixes with cold air and water, it solidifies and gets stuck to the chimney liner. If the chimney liner is poorly fitted, or you don’t have one, the creosote sticks to the brick itself.
What’s Next…
Whether you have a gas, woodburning or don’t even use the fireplace, a 14-point chimney inspection with photo documentation will always be done by a certified technician. What this means for you is that each of our professional technicians have earned the CSIA’s Chimney Safety Institute of America’s credentials. You can feel safe and secure knowing that our technicians have the continued education and knowledge for maintaining and evaluating a chimney and ventilation system.
I am getting mine done this Tuesday!
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