Here is why there is value and it makes good sense to have flues and venting systems attended to in the spring of the year.

 

 

      Warm weather, rain, high humidity tends to increase the strength of the odor.   

      It's always there in your chimney, but you don't usually notice it during the heating

     season. In winter the draft helps carry the smell away and the flue also stays

      drier. But in summer downdrafts (flow reversal of the air in the flue) can send the

     odor into the house. Cleaning out the creosote or soot should eliminate this

     smell, but many sweeps also use a special deodorizer.

 

     Birds, squirrels, raccoons and snakes may be taking shelter there. Migrating

    chimney swifts using your flue as a motel will make a stinking mess. Raccoons’

    can be dangerous and often carry parasites deadly to humans.(Call an animal 

    removal service if the sweep is not equipped or licensed for the job.)

 

     A cap with a spark arrestor will deter birds and animals, as well as prevent sparks

    from flying out onto the roof.

 

 5. Schedule a second visit if your regular appointment time cannot accommodate

    all that may be required. Your sweep can schedule a second visit if he finds that

    your wood heating system needs additional servicing or some of the problems

    mentioned in this article requires his attention.

 

 6. Chimneys should be inspected yearly. Deteriorating mortar and missing or

    broken bricks and missing, broken or cracked flue tiles should be replaced. A

    harmless looking hairline crack in a tile flue-liner will open up under high

    temperatures. Escaping heat and flame could set your house on fire! Sweeps who

    scan flues with a camera can provide photos of damage or defects. (When and if

     needed)

 

 7. Many chimneys need to be relined to be safe. Damage from a chimney fire or

    the deterioration over the years may mandate that your flue needs to be

    completely relined. High quality flexible stainless steel liners are available for this

    purpose through your chimney sweep. Your professional sweep is trained in the

    necessary installation techniques.

 

 8. When insurance may cover the cost of lining a chimney. In case of a chimney

    fire where the date and time of the fire was witnessed or the fire department was

    called and a chimney fire can be determined, your professional sweep can provide

    assistance with an inspection and condition report for the insurance company.

 

 9. Many sweeps work with insurance companies on a regular basis. They are

    accustomed to supplying documentation of the damage, as well as estimates for

    rebuilding, repairing or relining a chimney.

 

10. Many sweeps are overbooked in the fall. They must turn away customers, or

     put them on hold. Don't let this happen to you call early and preferably in the

     spring to be safe and not   disappointed.

     

11. A stove or fireplace insert may have been incorrectly installed. An incorrect

     installation can be like time bomb, ticking away, threatening your home and

    family. The connector pipe may need to be replaced. Sections should be screwed

    together so they cannot rattle apart and spill burning creosote onto the floor if

    there is a chimney fire. Safety standards from the National Fire Protection

    Association require solid-fuel stoves and fireplace inserts to be properly connected

    to a stainless steel flue liner. An oversize chimney will not draw properly and is not

    legal for your insurance or the fire/building code.

 

If you have converted to gas as fuel or replaced your furnace with a high or mid-efficiency gas unit, your chimney should be inspected to insure proper venting as this new appliances create a considerable amount of condensation requiring cleaning to prevent possible damage, blockage or the need for a stainless steel liner.

 

It will also need proper vent pipe installed, something service companies often neglect to do. A gas furnace should never vent into an unlined masonry chimney. Excessive moisture and acids in the flue gases can destroy it in a few short years. In addition, sluggish draft in an oversize flue can cause poisonous carbon monoxide fumes to spill into the house. The installation of a gas furnace should not he left to amateurs or to behind-the-times professionals.