- Do I really need to have my chimney cleaned?
- How often should I have my chimney cleaned?
- Why is a chimney sweep so important?
- When is the best time of year to schedule a chimney sweep?
- I heat with gas. Should this chimney be cleaned?
- I heat with oil. Should this chimney be cleaned?
- Chimney fires don't have to happen.
- What to do if I have a chimney fire?
- Why do chimney sweeps work alone?
- Do you have any wood burning tips?
- Why do fireplaces work and some don't?
- When I open the door of my appliance, smoke rolls out, why?
- How do I dispose of ashes from my fireplace?
- How can I remove the black smoke marks on the face front brick of my fireplace?
1.
 If you have any doubt, call a professional chimney sweep for record files or advice on the particular address.
(Most sweep files are filed by address because people do move, the address don't.)
- If there is 2mm or more creosote build up in the chimney flue, there is the potential for a chimney fire. Some types
of creosote require even less to be a chimney fire danger.
- Dirty chimneys can cause chimney fires, which damage structures, destroy homes and injure or kill people.
- Nests in chimneys, or blockage of any kind can cause smoking problems, chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
- In order to maintain your chimney in peak operating conditions which means free from debris, nest and creosote.
- If your chimney does not need to be cleaned during the scheduled appointment the chimney gets inspected only and you pay for a service call only.
top
of page
2.
 In our opinion, if you use your wood appliance over the heating season it requires a minimum of once a year and sometime two or three times depending on how and what you burn.
- If you use your fireplace every now and again (meaning one or twice a month), you can let it go for a period of two years, but no more than two.
- Best option is to have it swept and inspected once a year due to birds, animals, deterioration and for the unknown factors. Creosote left in the flue pipes and appliance can mix with humid air in the summer to form a very corrosive mixture. You can avoid off season corrosion problems by thoroughly cleaning the system after the last fire of the heating season.
- Every wood burning system has a different rate of creosote build up. Some need cleaning once a month; others only need cleaning once a year. Inspect frequently and clean when necessary.
top
of page
3.
- The gradual accumulation of soot can seriously affect the way your chimney performs. Thick layers of soot of course
can physically restrict the flue so there is no longer enough free area to vent the appliance properly.
- In order to maintain the peak operating conditions which means free from debris, nest, birds, animals and creosote.
- If the chimney is swept on a regular basis at the end of each season the build up can be prevented. If however you are at the point where the build up has turned into a graze, a special type of cleaning will be necessary above and beyond a regular sweep.
top
of page
4.
 We are always pleased to clean your chimney at any time. The best time for the chimney its self is in the spring of the year, or as soon as you're finished burning for the season. The autumn of the year is our busiest because of last minute people and usually booking appointments are three to five days in advance.
- The best time to clean the chimney is in the spring of the year. If soot remains in the chimney during the summer months the acidic creosote eats away at the chimney and creates an odour. Odour is mostly created with a mixture of moisture and creosote.
top
of page
5.
- In most cases no, for cleaning and without a doubt at least have it inspected.
- Although gas is generally a clean burning fuel, the chimney can become non functional from birds nests or debris blocking the flue.
- Incomplete combustion of gas is relatively rare but can occur in some circumstances. Insufficient oxygen is one cause of improper combustion. Have your furnace inspected by a certified gas technician.
top
of page
6.
 Without a doubt! Oil fuel is considered and treated as solid fuel. Fuel deposits will accumulate in the flue pipe as well as the chimney. They should be swept at least once a year sometimes more frequent depending on the furnace operation. The furnace it self also should be cleaned by a certified oil mechanic.
- Oil furnace chimneys should be treated the same as wood burning appliances.
- Birds and animals love chimneys and the chimney can become non functional from bird nests or other debris blocking the flue.
- Improperly tuned oil burners can produce a large quantity of soot in venting systems. These can ignite in some circumstances and produce a chimney fire with enough intensity to damage the chimney, home or residences.
top
of page
7.
- Use season woods only.
- Build smaller, hotter fires that burn more completely and produce less smoke.
- Never burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper or trash.
- Have the chimney swept and inspected on a regular basis.
- The chimney is a critical component of your wood or oil heating system and clean chimneys don't catch fire.
top
of page
8.
 If a chimney fire occurs, close the draft control on the appliance completely to quench the supply of oxygen. Get out of the house, call the fire brigade immediately. Make sure the chimney is swept and inspected afterward.
- a) Get everyone out of the house, including yourself.
b) Call the fire brigade.
c) If you can do so without risk to yourself, these additional steps may help save your home.
Remember, that homes are replaceable, but lives are not.
Put out the fire in the appliance with a fire extinguisher.
Close the glass doors on the fireplace or close the air inlets on the wood stove or furnace.
Use a garden hose to spray down the roof (not the chimney).
top
of page
9.
- Most chimney sweeps work alone unless they're training staff.
- Chimney sweeps rely on their experiences and judgement during every day work. The learning process never ends for a chimney sweep.
- Each sweep develops a particular set of tools and procedures after being in the business for a short time. Some sweeps develops particulars above and beyond the regular routine when working for a company or self employed.
- Most sweeps work alone due to their role as maintenance expertise identifying problems and giving valuable advice to home owners with out wondering what the other guy is doing and not feel rushed.
- Many sweeps work alone to keep costs down because of the competitive market.
top
of page
10.
 If your firewood bubbles, hisses with steam out of the ends as it heats up on the fire, the wood is wet or green, and needs to be seasoned longer before burning.
- Never try to make a load of fuel burn longer than 6 to 8 hours. Many air tights can burn long extended periods, resulting in heavy creosote deposits.
- Operate air tights with their draft control wide open for approximately 20 to 25 minutes periodically each time firewood is added, or until the fresh load is totally engulfed in flames. This will heat up the flue to help solidify the liquid creosote deposited by the previous load.
- Never try to clean a chimney by deliberately starting a chimney fire. Have the chimney professionally cleaned at least once a year.
top
of page
11.
- Fireplaces work mainly because hot air rises. The air inside the chimney becomes warmer and less dense than the air outside. As the air rises, cooler air from the room flows into the firebox fanning the air creating more heat in an ongoing cycle.
- There must be at least 101 reasons why your fireplace may not function properly. The basics obvious solutions are as followed.
a. Is your damper fully open?
b. Is your firewood green or wet from rain? (see FAQ # 10c)
c. Is your chimney tall enough?
d. Is your chimney dirty? (when was the last time it was swept? (see FAQ # 1 & FAQ #2)
e. Is your flue large enough for the appliance opening?
f. Is your home too air tight? (do you have a fresh air intake coming into the house?)
g. Is your house too loose? (do you have windows open on the upper level?)
top
of page
12.
- Many appliance and chimney problems can be traced to excessive cooling of the chimney inner liner. Some common indications of cold liners includes, excessive creosote and water vapour condensation, slow build up of draft when a fire is started, smoke roll out when the loading door is opened and greater likelihood of flow reversal or back drafting.
- Many contributors to smoke roll out is traced to the chimney to large for the appliance. Another is most likely negative pressure through out the house.
top
of page
13.
- Ashes must be removed before they impair the operation of the wood appliance. Once removed, they should be placed in a metal container and stored outside on a non-combustible surface.
- Ashes removed and cooled off can be used in small quantities in a vegetable garden to reduce soil acidity. Ideally, wood ash in small quantities can be beneficial to flower gardens and some house plants.
- Never remove ashes even when you think they're cooled off with a paper bag, plastic bag, cardboard box or plastic containers. Ashes retains a lot of hidden coals and can re-ignite once air has been introduced.
top
of page
14.
- There are many chemicals on the market you can purchase to remove the black smoke.
Follow the instructions carefully, they do work.
- We have discovered the cheapest and most affective way to remove the black smoke marks with the use of any type of laundry detergent. Add a little bit of detergent in a bowl with a little water, make a paste and scrub it on the brick surface (it will take some elbow grease) and then rise with cold water, you may need to do this a few times, but it will work without a chemical odour.
top
of page
|
