Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

Schedule A Sweep Before The Holidays

From hanging stockings on the mantle to sipping drinks in front of a roaring fire, our fireplaces often play an important part in our holiday traditions. But November and December often pass in the blink of an eye, with many homeowners putting off maintenance until after the holidays have passed. This year, ensure your family can safely enjoy using the fireplace by having it swept before the holiday season arrives.

How often does my chimney need to be swept?

The Chimney Safety Institute of America, or CSIA, recommends that chimneys should be swept at least once per year – regardless of how often you use your fireplace. An annual sweeping, even for rarely used fireplaces, ensures there are no blockages in the flue that could prevent safe drafting.

If you use your fireplace as a primary heating source, it may need to be swept more than once per year. In addition to an annual sweeping, the CISA recommends the chimney be swept after 1/8th of an inch of sooty buildup. This amount of buildup typically occurs after a full cord of wood has been burned; if you burn more than one cord of wood each season, consider scheduling an additional mid-winter sweeping.

The CSIA also recommends that chimneys should “be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances.” When done in conjunction with a sweeping, a chimney inspection ensures the fireplace is burning and drafting safely.

Get your chimney swept before the holidays arrive

Scheduling a chimney sweeping and inspection now ensures your fireplace is ready to use before the busy holiday season arrives.

“A chimney inspection is like an annual dental check-up,” says Ashley Eldridge, Director of Education for the CSIA. “It’s preventative maintenance that helps minimize potential hazards.”

Regular preventative maintenance extends the life of your fireplace system, makes it safer to use, helps fires burn more efficiently, and can save you money on costly future repairs. As fireplaces are often used heavily during the holiday season, having the chimney swept and inspected before the holidays arrive ensures the entire fireplace system is ready to be safely used.

Holiday fireplace safety tips

Keep your entire family safe around the fireplace this holiday season by following these safety tips.

– Only burn firewood. While it may be tempting to throw wrapping paper and boxes into the fireplace, the materials are better off in the recycling bin. Paper products ignite and burn quickly; this can cause flames to spill out of the firebox or up the flue. Other seemingly burnable material, such as greenery or wreaths, may be treated with chemicals that can affect the air quality in your home if burned.
– Keep décor away. Stockings can be hung by the chimney with care, but should be removed anytime the fireplace is being used. This prevents stray sparks or embers from accidentally igniting holiday décor.

The weeks leading up to the holiday season are some of the busiest of the entire year; schedule your chimney sweeping now to ensure your fireplace system is ready for the holidays to arrive! Contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today for more information on scheduling your next chimney sweeping appointment.

Get Ahead By Making Your Annual Appointments

While we are still in the middle of the extreme heat and long days of summer, fall will be here in the blink of an eye! Make sure your fireplace is ready. How? By making your annual sweep and inspection appointments now.

Protect your chimney with annual maintenance.

Our fireplaces and chimneys need regular TLC in order to burn their best. Having your chimney swept and inspected once per year is one of the best ways to help your fireplace burn safely and efficiently.

Why your chimney needs to be swept annually.

During the burning season soot, ash, and creosote can build up in the flue. A chimney sweeping removes any buildup and debris in the fireplace and flue. The result? A chimney that is clean and ready to use.

Removing creosote is one of the most important aspects of a chimney sweeping. Creosote is a naturally occurring byproduct of combustion; while burning all fuel sources can produce creosote, creosote buildup is most commonly seen in wood burning fireplaces. Having creosote removed by a certified chimney sweep is important, as it is extremely flammable. Ignition of creosote in the flue is the primary cause of most chimney fires!

Do you use your fireplace as a primary heat source in your home? If so, you may need to have your chimney swept more than once per year. In addition to an annual sweeping, chimneys should be swept when there is 1/8th of an inch of accumulation of soot. This amount of accumulation typically occurs after one full cord of wood has been burned.

The importance of annual inspections.

There are very few homeowners who are brave enough to climb onto their roofs; likewise, most chimneys are difficult – if not impossible – to see completely from street level. Due to this, chimney damage can go unnoticed for long periods of time. Chimney inspections are the best way to stay apprised of the condition of your chimney – without the risk of climbing on your own roof!

“A chimney inspection is like an annual dental check-up,” says Ashley Eldridge, Director of Education for the CSIA. “It’s preventative maintenance that helps minimize potential hazards.”

Chimney inspections are an important part of your chimney maintenance – no matter how often you use your fireplace. Since chimney damage can occur whether you use your fireplace one or 100 times during the year, all homeowners should have an annual inspection done.

Inspections are often the first line of defense in identifying chimney damage. Minor damage such as small masonry cracks or shifting chimney caps can often be quickly and easily repaired, protecting your chimney from further damage and saving you money on costly future repairs.

Schedule your appointment today!

On long and hot summer days, using your fireplace may be the furthest thing from your mind. However, scheduling annual chimney maintenance now will ensure your fireplace system is safe and ready to use this fall. To schedule your next chimney sweeping and inspection, contact the experts at Clean Sweeps of Michigan today!