From cross-country skiing and sledding to ice fishing and holiday snowfall, there’s a lot to love about winter in Wisconsin. And with sub-freezing temperatures comes the opportunity to warm your home with a living room feature that goes unnoticed for months – your fireplace.
Forgetting about your fireplace and chimney when it’s 85 degrees in the middle of summer is understandable. Forgetting about chimney maintenance is another thing. Ignoring it can result in serious issues like chimney fires, bad indoor air quality, and costly repairs.
Signs your chimney needs cleaning
Regular chimney cleaning is crucial for the safety and efficiency of your fireplace. Here are some signs your chimney needs cleaning:
Unpleasant odors: Foul smells coming from your fireplace are a sign your chimney is dirty. Cleaning will get rid of these odors and restore a fresh atmosphere to your living room.
Excessive smoke or soot: If you notice excessive smoke or soot, your chimney is probably clogged. Regular cleaning prevents buildup and allows your cozy, winter fires to ventilate properly.
Visible signs of creosote buildup: Creosote is a black, tar-like substance that accumulates in your chimney.
Close-up of creosote buildup in chimney
Understanding creosote
Creosote is a dark, sticky, and highly flammable substance that builds up in your chimney. It forms when wood or fossil fuels aren’t burned all the way through. Creosote deposits also pose health risks by releasing toxic gases, including carbon monoxide.
Creosote forms in these three stages:
- Soot – a powdery substance
- Creosote flake – harder and thicker
- Creosote glaze – a shiny, tar-like substance
Creosote glaze is the most dangerous and can easily ignite, leading to a chimney fire. It’s worth noting that 48 percent of home heating fires occur in December, January, and February.
Chimney fires
Over 45,000 chimney fires occur each year in the United States.
When a chimney fire happens, the culprit is often creosote buildup, something that can be easily avoided by committing to regular chimney maintenance. Burning unseasoned wood or using improper burning techniques can contribute to your chimney becoming coated with creosote. Using a spark arrestor and burning only seasoned wood lowers the risk.
If you notice loud cracking or popping noises, dense smoke or flames from the chimney, or a strong smell, get out of your home immediately and call the fire department – you likely have a chimney fire. Your chimney could crack or collapse, allowing the fire to spread to other parts of your home.
Recommended chimney cleaning frequency
The frequency depends on several factors, including fuel type and how often you use your fireplace.
Here are the recommended cleaning intervals for the most common fireplaces:
- Wood-burning fireplaces: Clean at least once a year or after burning a cord of wood.
- Gas fireplaces: Inspect and clean every other year.
- Pellet stoves: Clean annually, preferably before the heating season.
It’s also smart to have your chimney professionally inspected. A chimney sweep (certified technician) will inspect your chimney, check for blockages or damage, and make sure it’s functioning properly.
Maintaining a clean chimney and having it regularly inspected will keep you safe and breathing easy when winter settles in.
Peace of mind outside the fireplace is also important. Rural Mutual agents live in Wisconsin and understand what matters most to you (and how cold it can get). Connect with a local agent today for a customized homeowner’s quote that fits your family’s needs.
