5 Signs It’s Time For a Chimney Cleaning

Chimney cleaning is a service that should not be neglected. Professional chimney sweeps have the experience and tools to remove flammable creosote and flue obstructions, thereby keeping your chimney safe and efficient.

Doodlebuggers Fireplace, Grill & Outdoor Store of Pensacola, FL, and Destin, FL, would like to share with you five ways to know when it’s time for a chimney cleaning.

#1: Smoke is backing up into your house

If smoke from your fireplace is filtering into your room, there’s a drafting problem. It’s possible this could happen because the house is too airtight and doesn’t provide enough drafting air, but the likely cause is an obstructed chimney flue.

Chimney cleaning removes flue obstructions such as creosote and soot buildups, leaves, twigs and small-animal nests. This opens the passage and allows smoke to travel in the right direction. Before a serious smoke backup, you may notice greasy, sooty spots on the walls of your firebox or black chunks falling into it, so keep an eye out.

#2: Fires are hard to start and keep going

Another symptom of a blocked chimney flue that needs cleaning is difficulty in starting and maintaining fires. Air is required for combustion, and an obstructed flue won’t pull sufficient air from the home into the firebox.

#3: Animals are in your chimney

You may hear their sounds on a quiet night. You may see their nesting materials or droppings when you open your fireplace damper. Worse, you may be assaulted by the smell of deceased small animals that were unable to escape from your chimney.

Professional chimney sweeps will remove animals and animal leftovers from your flue. They can also install a custom chimney cap, which will prevent all debris from entering your chimney in the future.

#4: You’re having chimney fires

Creosote is highly flammable and is the cause of most chimney fires. Not all chimney fires are obvious. Some are small and start and go out on their own. Watch for these signs:

• Excess dark smoke coming from either end of your chimney
• An odd tapping or clicking sound
• The sound of rumbling, like from a distant train

If you notice any of these chimney fire signals, call 911 immediately. Then put out the fire in the firebox if you can do it safely. When order has been restored, bring out a licensed technician for a chimney inspection and cleaning.

#5: Creosote has built up to a dangerous level inside your chimney

As far as safety for your family and your home, this is the most important reason to have your chimney cleaned. The thing is, you can’t see inside your chimney flue, so you won’t know at any given time how much creosote is in there.

The solution is an annual chimney inspection. Your inspector can gauge the level of creosote and then remove it safely and correctly. After several inspections and cleanings, you’ll know about how often your chimney will need to be swept in the future.

A clean chimney is a safe chimney

If it’s time to have your chimney professionally cleaned, the Doodlebuggers crew is standing by to help. We love clean, safe chimneys, and we know you do, too.

In Pensacola, FL, call 850-477-1151. In Destin, FL call 850-243-0154. Wherever you live, you can reach out with our handy contact form.