You have to undertake chimney cleaning regularly to keep your fireplace in top shape.  One of the main reasons why you should clean it is to get rid of creosote that might have got in your unit. Creosote is the black substance that forms when wood and other fuels burn in your chimney. The material adheres to the chimney damper, firebox, smoke chamber, inside the chimney and any other part of the stack. In addition to the creosote clogging the system, it also puts your home at the risk of catching fire.

Chimney cleaning

You need to clean the chimney to avoid the danger that it comes with. If your chimney is small, you can clean it on your own, but if it’s large and you have stayed for a long time without cleaning it, you should hire a chimney sweep to help you out.

In addition to the contractor cleaning the unit, he/she also inspect it for any defects it might be having. In addition to a functioning chimney accumulating creosote, it also tends to develop issues. For example, the flue might have cracked which puts your chimney at the risk of catching fire. During the inspection, the masonry contractor will identify any faulty areas and fix them before they damage your home.

When to hire a contractor

There are many situations when you should hire a contractor. Some of these situations include:

After one year: If you have been using your chimney for over a year, it must have accumulated a lot of creosote that you need to get rid of as soon as possible. You should hire a contractor to help you with cleaning the creosote.

When moving to a new house: Whether the chimney had been inspected before or not, ask a chimney contractor to check it again. While the new house might look appealing, the chimney might be having some wild animals. It also might have creosote. During the inspection, the expert will inspect the unit and fix any issues that might be there.

Guide to hiring a chimney company

It’s always recommended that you hire a chimney company to help you with the inspection and cleaning of the chimney. The expert should be experienced and certified to work in your local area. To have peace of mind that your chimney will be protected in the event of damage, hire an insured company.