The importance of yearly chimney inspections and sweepings cannot be understated, as they are the one true way to minimize the likelihood of a chimney fire sparking in the first place. The fact is that clean chimneys simply don’t catch fire.

1. Prevent Chimney Fires
2. Protect Your Health
   Breathing the fumes from gas or solid fuel fires can be dangerous—or even fatal.
3. Avoid Smoke Damage
   If a chimney is not cleaned regularly, soot will accumulate around the flue. This makes it difficult for the flue to draw the smoke upwards and can cause the smoke to enter your room. This soot will leave a black film around your hearth and soil any furniture, carpeting, or nearby decor. Smoke can also leave black stains around your chimney, which can be difficult or sometimes impossible to remove.

A buildup of creosote is the main reason why it’s important to have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually, but did you know that there are three degrees, or stages, of creosote?

Soot: While not dangerous, soot is flammable and spreads easily, leaving dirt stains in your home and potentially causing respiratory illnesses.

Creosote flakes: If soot isn’t addressed in a timely manner, over time it can morph into larger flakes, which are highly flammable and more difficult to remove.

Tar creosote: Severe disrepair. At this stage, the creosote coalesces to form a thick, extremely flammable paste along the walls of the chimney. The tar releases gasses, which remain in the chimney flue until a fire is lit. At that point, the gasses as well as the tar will catch fire almost immediately.

Factors that increase risk of chimney fires include:

1. Failing to have your chimney swept often enough, which can lead to soot buildup
2. Blockages such as soot buildup, animal nests, or bits of foliage in your chimney that can restrict air flow
3. Burning wet or unseasoned wood, which increases the production of creosote