A level-one chimney inspection includes a visual check of the fireplace and chimney without any special equipment or climbing up on the roof. The chinmney sweep comes to your house with a flashlight; looks for damage, obstructions, creosote buildup, and soot; and tells you if the chimney requires sweeping.
How do you inspect a flue?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Look for any black residue between chimney bricks this means creosote is seeping through look to see if your chimney has a sway or bow to it it could be unstable.
How do you know if your flue is blocked?
A blocked chimney can lead to a dangerous chimney fire.
The Symptoms of a Blocked Flue Liner
- An excessive smell of smoke during a fire.
- A white residue on the walls of the flue liner.
- Water leakage.
- Debris falling towards the base of the fireplace.
How do I make sure my fireplace is safe?
5 Easy Steps to Make Sure Your Fireplace Is Safe
- #1 Examine the Firebox. Look for any cracks, gaps, or signs of wear in the lining of the firebox (the interior of the fireplace). …
- #2 Look for Telltale Smoke Stains. …
- #3 Make Sure Your Grate Is the Right Size. …
- #4 Check the Chimney. …
- #5 Double-Check Your Fire Extinguisher.
How often should a flue be cleaned?
once per year
The National Fire Protection Association recommends that chimneys, fireplaces and vents be inspected at least once per year. Another, idea to try out when it’s time to clean your chimney is a chimney sweep log.
How do you inspect a flue pipe?
How to inspect your flue pipe
- Remove the flue cap to check for blockages such as debris or birds’ nests.
- Replace and secure the cap tightly to the end of the flue pipe. …
- Look for signs of blockages by examining the pipe itself – water streaks or rust on the flue pipe may indicate a blockage, causing moisture to back up.
How do you know if your fireplace flue is open?
Create a small fire using tinder or paper at the fireplace. If the chimney flue is open, smoke will come out of the chimney with no issues. However, if the flue isn’t open, the smoke won’t go through a closed flue and up the chimney. Instead, it’ll force its way into your home, filling the room with smoke.
What happens if a flue is blocked?
If your boiler’s flue becomes blocked, these gases have nowhere to go other than back inside your home. In some cases, this can be fatal, with the NHS stating that around 60 deaths a year are caused by carbon monoxide poisoning. The two main gases your gas condensing boiler produces are water vapour and carbon dioxide.
What happens if chimney is blocked?
When it becomes clogged, it can’t properly perform this important role. Birds’ nests, tree foliage, trash, and other debris can clog your home chimney, making it dangerous to use. Soot and crumbling bricks are also hazardous; if the chimney’s flue is not kept clear, your home is at risk every time the heat kicks on.
Why is my chimney smoke black?
If the smoke is black, the furnace is not burning the oil completely and fuel is being wasted. Oil-fired burners are used in many parts of the country as the basic heat source for warm air and hot water heating systems.
How do you clean fireplace flue?
Remove the Dust and Debris
- Clean the bottom of the flue with a wire brush.
- Sweep up the debris from inside the fireplace (and the smoke shelf, if accessible) with a broom and dustpan.
- Reattach damper as needed.
- Dispose of creosote appropriately according to local requirements.
What happens if you don’t clean your chimney?
When your chimney is not cleaned for a long time, a substance called creosote keeps building up in the flue during the use of the fireplace. This creosote is highly flammable and can lead to a dangerous chimney fire (an uncontrolled 2000 degree fire burning inside the chimney).
Is it safe to clean your own chimney?
In many cases, you can clean the chimney yourself and save a few hundred dollars. Removing ordinary chimney soot is pretty simple. But if you have heavy creosote buildup, you’ll have to call in a pro. We’ll show you how to inspect yours to see if it qualifies as a DIY job.
Do potato peelings clean your chimney?
Potato peels and acorns help prevent creosote buildup in your chimney. Save your potato skins and collect acorns in the autumn. Just a handful thrown on top of a burning fire can help keep your chimney in good shape. Use ash from the fire to clean your fireplace.
How often should a chimney be swept?
HETAS encourage having your chimney swept at least twice a year when burning wood or bituminous house coal and at least once a year when burning smokeless fuels. The best times to have your chimney swept are just before the start of the heating season and after your stove has not been used over a prolonged period.
What dissolves creosote?
Vinegar is a natural acid that will break down the creosote over time. All you have to do is pour vinegar onto the creosote and then wait for it to dissolve. If you want to take a more natural approach, try dissolving the creosote using salt water instead of vinegar or chemical cleaners.
Will a hot fire remove creosote?
One method to loosen crusty or tarry creosote so it flakes off and falls down into the firebox or fireplace is to burn aluminum cans in a very hot fire. While this method works, it does not clean the chimney of creosote completely, and chimney brush cleaning is still necessary.
What is the strongest creosote removal?
- BEST OVERALL: MEECO’S RED DEVIL 5-pound Creosote Destroyer.
- RUNNER-UP: Gardus SLK-24 SootEater Rotary Chimney Liner Cleaning.
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Rutland Products 2 lb Creosote Remover.
- BEST FOR MILD CREOSOTE: Quick N Brite Fireplace Cleaner with Cleaning Brush.
Does burning salt clean a chimney?
Long story short, you can use burning rock salt to clean chimney creosote. By pouring a bit of salt into your fireplace while you’re using it, you’ll be able to dissolve small amounts of creosote buildups. This phenomenon happens because the salt combines with the water in the burning wood.
Is it necessary to clean chimney every year?
Chimney Inspections should be scheduled once a year.
Most homeowners opt to have a Chimney Cleaning done every year as well, especially if they use their fireplace on a regular basis. Other venting systems connected to furnaces and stoves should also be cleaned on a regular basis to maintain safer operation.
Why is the top of my chimney black?
Brown and black staining around the chimney cap or down the sides of the chimney structure is one of the most common kinds of chimney stains. While most homeowners assume this kind of discoloration is simply staining from soot, it is typically caused by excessive creosote buildup in the flue.
