I bought a 20 year old house about 3 years ago. I haven't really used the fireplace, because I don't know if the chimney is clean. You cannot look down it from the roof because there's a cap on it, and you cannot see past the flu from inside. Any ideas?
2007-11-23 17:08:02 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It needs to be cleaned once each year if you are using it and before you use it if it has set unused more than a year. Creosote buildup in the chimney can catch fire and literally burn down your house. Birds, insects and rodents will build nests in the chimney if they can get in to do it. To be safe, have it cleaned before you try to light a fire in it. It cost me less than $100 to get both of my chimneys swept the last time I had it done.
Bert
2007-11-23 17:35:19 · answer #1 · answered by Bert C 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you have to ask, then it is a great idea to go ahead and have it cleaned. You have no idea what has been going on there for the last 17 years so spend a couple hundred dollars and sleep better. Sometimes you may not be able to see up a clean chimney. That will depend on if when the fireplace was installed if the installer had to install an elbow in the pipe to miss an obstruction. Clean it and be safe. Just remember to NEVER burn starter logs like Dura-flame. Chimney fires suck.
2007-11-24 10:41:34 · answer #2 · answered by pvm3@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must be able to open something and look up the chimney. I thought you could open the flue. If you get it open, take a mirror and look for creosote (sp) build up.
Just so you know this ... if you ever have a chimney fire, take fire extinguisher and release up the chimney. Will put fire out right away.
If you're not sure about chimney, don't take chances. Either get equipment and do it yourself or call a professional.
If you use fireplace a lot, should have cleaned yearly.
2007-11-24 01:40:13 · answer #3 · answered by Eagles Fly 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you lite you fire place and smoke fills the room, your chimney needs to be cleaned. That's the only thing I know. Sorry.
2007-11-24 01:16:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
If Santa comes out all sooty it needs to be cleaned.
2007-11-24 08:09:09 · answer #5 · answered by snowman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are going to use it you will need to remove the cap otherwise don't bother with cleaning it.
2007-11-24 02:14:10 · answer #6 · answered by brainstorm 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋