When winter lays its hand on the landscape, a cozy fire transforms cold nights into warm, inviting experiences. But imagine that, as you enjoy the crackling flames and cozy ambiance, the thought flits across your mind: When was the last time I had the chimney swept?
Many homeowners are familiar with the rule of thumb that a chimney needs to be professionally swept about once a year. Most often, this sweeping is scheduled for before the heating season kicks in. The benefit of this is the assurance that the system is green-lighted for fall and winter use.
However, if you’ve forgotten to schedule this important appointment, or if you’ve heavily used your fireplace or encountered any issues, a mid-winter chimney sweep might be necessary.
Why Does My Chimney Need Swept?
Understanding when to sweep your chimney is aided by knowing why you have to have it swept in the first place.
The job of your chimney is facilitating the passage of combustion byproducts – like smoke and gases – safely out of your home and into the great outdoors. As these warmed gases rise, they create a vacuum that draws air into the fireplace to feed the fire.
So, why does it matter if your chimney is dirty? Well, cleanliness for its own sake isn’t the issue. With use, soot and creosote can build up inside the chimney. Creosote is a dark, tarry, combustible substance, and it’s a double threat to chimney owners – first, because a large amount of it can prevent proper airflow, and second, because it increases the risk of chimney fires.
Even a chimney that’s used infrequently can slowly accumulate creosote, and other debris can find its way into a chimney flue too. This is especially the case if your chimney has a missing or damaged chimney cap or is damaged in some way. Chimneys can be appealing places for local wildlife to find shelter – and nesting materials, leaves, twigs, and other debris can find its way in and obstruct ventilation.
Annual inspections by a qualified professional are a vital part of chimney maintenance, and sweepings should occur annually during these overviews. A good sweeping ensures that any creosote, soot, or debris that’s built up is removed, making your chimney safer and more efficient.
Why Might I Need a Mid-Winter Chimney Sweep?
First of all, you might need a sweep during the burning season if you simply haven’t gotten around to having it swept for the year yet. Fortunately, scheduling a sweeping shouldn’t significantly impact your use of your fireplace. After you get it swept, you can also get an early start to scheduling your next sweeping – well in advance of the next burning season.
Whether you’ve had an inspection yet or not, there are signs that another sweeping may be in order. Smoke backing up in your room, for example. Remember that the chimney’s job is to channel smoke and gases out – if combustion byproducts are coming into your living space, something’s out of whack with your ventilation.
If this happens, don’t wait until spring to call a chimney sweep. A blockage can lead to dangerous conditions, like chimney fires or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Bad smells coming from the chimney are also cause for calling your sweep. Chimney odors can be caused by wet or decaying creosote – and moisture trapped in your chimney can cause rust, corrosion, and other deterioration. Bad smells can also mean there are birds or other animals in your flue. Long story short, if you notice an unusual smell, your chimney needs a good look-over and cleaning.
Using your chimney more than normal can make additional sweeping necessary too. It’s kind of like your car – the oil may need to be changed sooner if you’re in a period of greater use. Likewise, lots of fires can accelerate wear, tear, and buildup. So the more you light up the nights, the more you may need to consider another sweeping.
Is Winter a Suitable Time For Sweeping?
You may wonder if cold weather will affect the process of chimney sweeping. But don’t worry – cold temperatures won’t stop a professional sweep! Trained professionals are equipped to handle the task in almost any weather.
Extreme weather can present some challenges, though, especially if the chimney is damp or needs additional, external repairs. But most repairs, especially those involving the chimney’s interior, can still be completed during cold months.
Even if you’re worried that a particular repair won’t be manageable in winter, it’s important to reach out to your chimney technician promptly. We’ll be able to make a plan to best get at the issues you’re facing. After all, helping customers find chimney solutions that work is quite literally our business. On the other hand, unaddressed problems can become worse and be more challenging (and costly) if left untouched until spring.
Don’t Hesitate To Reach Out
So if you’ve noticed signs that something might be amiss, or if you simply forgot to get your sweeping in before burning season started, don’t panic. We’re certified, licensed, insured, and fully equipped to help meet all your chimney needs – in any season.
Call or book online today.