How Do You Know if it’s Time to Have Your Chimney Cleaned?

1. How Do You Know if it’s Time to Have Your Chimney Cleaned? Can’t remember the last time you got your chimney cleaned? Then now’s probably a good time to get that done. At Lindemann Chimney Services, we generally suggest that you get your chimney cleaned once a year or after 36 fires. And if you’re just moving into a new home with a fireplace, you definitely want to get your chimney cleaned right away--who knows when the previous owners cleaned their chimneys last? Although we do suggest you clean your chimneys yearly, that number might differ, depending on where you live, what kind of chimney you have, and how often you’re using your fireplace. If you have the type of household that likes to run the fireplace multiple days throughout the week, then you might want to get your chimney cleaned more often. If you ever notice something is off about your chimney, then there’s nothing wrong with getting it cleaned and inspected. So what’s a sign that you need to get your chimney cleaned soon? If you notice odors, smoke leaks, or a thick black residue coming from your fireplace or chimney, you want to address the issue as soon as possible. Odors that come from the chimney might be caused by a number of things. If you think something is burning in your chimney, debris or plant matter might have fallen into the chimney from winds or animals. Odors can also come from animals themselves. Unfortunately, when some animals, like rodents and birds, are looking for shelter, they may make their way into your chimney. If they die in there...you’ll be left with quite a mess and a smell. In this case, you should call a technician to remove the animal.

2. Smoke leaking from your fireplace might mean that there’s an excessive amount of soot or ash in your chimney, Other foreign materials will also cause smoke leakage, so you if you notice it, you want to address it as soon as possible. The thick black residue that you might find coming out of your chimney or fireplace is referred to as Creosote. This buildup can lead to odors, smoke, and in the worst-case scenario, household fire. You are dedicated to keeping your home safe and clean, and the last thing you want to worry about is cleaning your chimney. It is always best to hire a specialist or technician to take cake of your chimney maintenance because a certified service has the equipment and knowledge to clean your chimney thoroughly. If you try to clean your chimney yourself, you not only put yourself at risk by exposing yourself to soot and ash, but you might not be able to clean your chimney properly. Additionally, if you own an outdoor fireplace, it is important to have it cleaned regularly. Because they are used less frequently and not located inside of the home, outdoor fireplaces are often neglected and worn down. You can keep it running smoothly if you clean it regularly! Find out more about your chimney cleaning today with Lindemann!