Prevent chimney fires...

I got behind a service truck the other day that got me thinking about this topic. It was a truck from one of the local chimney sweep services. I haven’t had my chimney done in a few years and need to get on that.

The National Fire Protection Association advises, "Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents should be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs should be done if necessary." This is particularly important in common wall communities like condominiums and townhouses where a chimney fire can spread to neighboring units.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that open masonry fireplaces should be cleaned at 1/4" of sooty buildup, and sooner if there is any glaze present in the system. Factory-built fireplaces should be cleaned when any appreciable buildup occurs. This is considered to be enough fuel buildup to cause a chimney fire capable of damaging the chimney or spreading to the home. The fact that fireplaces are rarely used doesn’t change the need for inspection. Birds and other animals may build nests in the flue or there may be other types of deterioration that could make the chimney unsafe to use. Chimney caps rust away defeating the spark protection features. For a great article on the “anatomy” of your fireplace click here.

The chimney is one of those “out of sight-out of mind” areas of maintenance in most houses. We never seem to think about them when we are using them and by then it’s too late. For a great FAQ section by the Chimney Safety Institute of America, click here.

Finally, there are differences in the woods that you might burn in your fireplace that can make a big difference in how fast creosote build-up occurs in your chimney and how much risk there is for a chimney fire. Click here, for an article to read on that topic.

Before fall turns to winter and fireplace burning starts, arrange this critical fire safety inspection and make sure to include it in your budget next year as a line item so you don’t forget to do it. The key is to just do it.