Unfortunately, there were over 350,000 building fires in 2021. Many of these were the result of chimney negligence and residential homes. Using a chimney sweep service comes with plenty of benefits, but not everybody understands how often they should schedule a chimney cleaning.
We’ve created a short guide that has the key information you need to know. Let’s take a look at the signs you need to clean a chimney professionally.
There’s More Smoke Than Usual
If you notice more smoke than usual, this could be a sign that you need to have your chimney cleaned.
As time goes on, soot can build up within your chimney and make it more difficult for the smoke to flow upward out of your home. This results in smoke lingering around your fireplace, and it can sometimes even build up to the point where it overflows into the room. This is an issue you can’t ignore, so be sure to take action if you notice it.
Strong Odor From the Fireplace
When using a fireplace, the fire releases harmful gases that exit through the chimney. If you haven’t had your chimney cleaned in a while, these gases may linger similarly to how smoke would.
This could cause a strong, unpleasant odor to emit from your fireplace. It can also lead to health issues, particularly for pets, young children, and elderly family members.
Weaker Fires
A properly functioning chimney will have a sufficient draft that will pull the smoke up through it. This allows the fire to burn effectively without issue. If the pathways in the chimney become congested due to soot buildup, your fires won’t be nearly as strong as they should be.
At first, this can be a difficult symptom to notice — especially for those who tend to light their fireplace and leave the room. Keep an eye out for fires that are consistently weaker than they used to be. There’s a good chance that you’re overdue for a chimney sweep.
Animals Nest in the Chimney
Soot buildup can provide animals with plenty of opportunities to create nests. This includes birds, squirrels, etc.
This can prove to be a nuisance over time, as these animals have the potential to enter your home. They could also be noisy, and they could even breed and exacerbate the problem. Of course, using your fireplace will also put them at risk due to the smoke that travels through your chimney.
Instead, it’s highly recommended to work with a professional chimney sweep service to safely remove animals that have made a home in your chimney.
Visible Black Particle Deposits
When soot buildup becomes substantial, it will be visible on the lower parts of the chimney. Chances are you will have noticed other signs before it gets to this point, but this is a surefire way to tell that you need to have your chimney cleaned.
Otherwise, you’re sure to make existing issues worse and develop new ones in the future.
Preparing for Cleaning
There are certain steps you need to take before you call a chimney sweep. Put simply, it’s customary to help streamline their job so they can get in and out of your home as soon as possible.
It’s essential to provide clear access to your fireplace, meaning you should remove decorative items, furniture, etc. Not only will this make it more convenient for them, but it will also protect your belongings. Next, you should do your best to remove any leftover wood, ash, and other fuel from the fireplace.
For those who are concerned about their room, you can cover furniture, carpet, and rugs with old sheets or fabrics. This will help prevent property damage if soot pours out from the chimney during the process. The professional you work with will let you know ahead of time what they require from you during preparation.
More often than not, this will involve tasks that take no more than a few minutes.
Finding a Service Provider
Not all service providers are created equal.
It’s essential that you do your due diligence when it comes to finding a professional. One of the best ways to get started is to check out their past reputation.
This will provide a look at what you can expect from working with them. When looking through past feedback, keep an eye out for what people have to say about their results, how long the job took, etc. You should also prioritize finding a chimney sweep that has stellar customer service.
If they don’t seem interested in helping you meet your goals, it’s best to look elsewhere. In context, this means that they should be easy to communicate with and provide service guarantees.
Chimney Maintenance Best Practices
Burning well-seasoned wood is a great way to reduce soot buildup. The same can be said about burning hardwood logs. Burning softwood tends to increase buildup more than hardwood.
Finally, avoid overusing your fireplace. Although it can be highly enjoyable to sit by a fire, overuse can easily lead to experiencing the above issues on a regular basis.
Schedule a Chimney Sweep Service
The above guide has all of the information you need on when to schedule a chimney sweep service. This will help ensure that you can make full use of your fireplace and avoid issues you may have encountered otherwise.
Reach out to us today at SootServ to see how we can help. Our experienced staff members are ready to help get your chimney in working order.