How Often Are You Supposed To Clean Your Chimney

Of all the chores you scramble to stay on top of in your home (cleaning brass, cleaning grout, cleaning up mold, regular cleaning), chances are, cleaning the chimney is not at the top of your list. While you're cozied up in front of the fireplace gazing into the crackling flames, sooty buildup and flammable residue aren't exactly romantic things to think about (out of sight, out of mind, right?). And yes—we said flammable. Do we have your attention now?

Before you light up the fireplace this season, you should do your due diligence by having your chimney both cleaned and properly inspected. Avoiding important routine chimney maintenance can cause big (and costly) problems down the road. (An estimated 25,000 home fires a year start in the chimney.) You can perform this home maintenance yourself, but most homeowners enlist the help of a chimney sweeping service. It's a potentially dangerous and very dirty job and better left to the professionals in most cases. (If you're having visions of Dick Van Dyke as Bert the chimney sweep in Mary Poppins, you're not alone—but this is serious stuff!)

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Find out how to clean your chimney here, how often you (or a professional) should be doing so, and more chimney maintenance 101.

Why should you clean your chimney?

One word: safety.

Keeping your chimney clean helps prevent home fires—it's as simple as that. When you burn a fire in your fireplace, two things happen: Chimney soot builds up, as well as creosote, which is a heavy, thick, oily residue similar to tar that's a byproduct of burning wood. While soot is more easily removable, creosote sticks to the chimney lining, which can be dangerous because it's extremely flammable. To sum it up, the more creosote, the higher risk of fire.

How often should a chimney be cleaned?

Once a year. Annual maintenance, which includes cleaning and inspection, is recommended.

Can you clean your own chimney?

Yes and no.

If you want to save some cash, you can remove chimney soot yourself. But safety comes first: This isn't just any ol' DIY—you'll be on the roof, after all. To save yourself the time of cleaning up a mess later, take proper steps to protect the inside of your home (think: drop cloths and plastic tarps to seal off the area from all the dust), protect yourself with the appropriate gear (protective goggles, a dust mask, a sturdy ladder), and purchase the right types of chimney brushes for the job. Consult step-by-step instructions before you begin to ensure a thorough and safe cleaning.

Hire a professional chimney sweep service to inspect and clean your chimney annually.

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If creosote is present, it's best to hire a professional to clean your chimney.

How do you clean the inside of a chimney?

Chimney brushes are the tools of choice for cleaning chimney soot. But it's not that simple, since there's a slew of necessary supplies for the inside and outside of your home to consider before tackling this task.

How much does it cost to get your chimney cleaned?

It depends on where you live, but in general, getting your chimney professionally cleaned will cost you anywhere from $125 to $300. This fee should include both an inspection (for overall safety evaluation) and a full cleaning, or sweep. Heavy creosote removal will likely cost you more, and if you have critters (dead or alive—yikes!) in your chimney or significant repairs, expect to cough up a little extra.

Do experts recommend creosote sweeping logs, and do they really work?

Yes and yes, but you should have realistic expectations. And most importantly, burning a sweeping log should not replace an annual chimney cleaning! When you burn a sweeping log, the creosote dries up into a flaky consistency. This makes a professional chimney sweep's job much easier, but still necessary.

Does the chimney of a gas fireplace need to be cleaned?

Yes. Same as a wood-burning setup, gas fireplace chimneys should be inspected and cleaned once a year. It's not so much the creosote to worry about as a bird's nest might need to be removed.

Is cleaning a fireplace chimney the same as cleaning a wood stove chimney?

Yes and no. The same issues (creosote and soot buildup) occur in wood stove chimneys as well as regular fireplace chimneys. Cleaning should occur annually, but the process for cleaning a wood stove pipe is on a smaller scale. First, consult your owner's manual. There should be specific instructions as well as a recommendation for a cleaning kit and/or supplies. Burning creosote cleaning logs first can make the job easier, and consulting a professional or the local fire department is also a smart option. Remember, safety first!

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