CHIMNEY SWEEP SERVING YORK COUNTY

The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) recommends having your chimney cleaned at least once a year. However, if your chimney is prone to soot or creosote, the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) advises to have it cleaned if the buildup is at least ⅛” thick. So which one is really true? The general rule of thumb is this: a chimney’s cleaning needs are directly proportional to the amount of use the chimney gets.

If you rarely use your fireplace, the NFPA still recommends having it cleaned at least once a year. Even if you don’t use it much, it’s important to ensure your chimney isn’t a fire hazard. Also, birds, squirrels, racoons, and other things may have made a home of your chimney. Your chimney is not safe for use until this problem is solved.

If you use your fireplace on a regular basis, the CSIA recommends cleaning it whenever the level of soot or creosote has reached a level of ⅛”. It should also be cleaned whenever the presence of glazed or stage 3 creosote is detected. Glazed creosote can damage your chimney while stage 3 creosote is extremely flammable. In fact, it’s the most common cause of chimney fires.