Chimney Inspections Needed Annually According To Local Expert

Now is the time to make sure you chimney is ready for the coldest of the winter months, with a chimney inspection needed annually.

Local Fireplace Dealer Bob Marengo said excessive smoke is a telltale sign that a chimney needs to be cleaned.

“A chimney fire is an uncontrolled fire,” Marengo said. “And it can get up to 2000 degrees inside that chimney, and it gets very hot outside.”

Marengo said failure to regularly clean a chimney will result in a large amount of creosote, a residue from smoke that gets deposited on the walls of the chimney. Experts say you can clean your chimney unless you find 1/8 inch of buildup or more. At that point, it is a job for a professional.

“Sometimes it means that the chimney cap is clogged,” Marengo said. “I’ve seen it several times where the chimney cap is clogged, but the flue itself is clean.”

Dry hardwoods burn cleaner than wet or green wood. That impacts how often you should clean your chimney.

“It’s highly flammable and it can catch fire, and cause what is appropriately called a chimney fire.”

Marengo is Co-Owner of Custom Fireplaces and More.