It’s time for a public service announcement for everyone that either uses their fireplaces or has an oil burning furnace – now is the time to think about scheduling your annual chimney cleaning.
What, you said you don’t have your chimney cleaned every year?
Fortunately, it’s never too late to start this important home maintenance activity! Burning wood or oil creates residual chemicals in the exhaust that stick to the inside of chimneys. They build up over time, and if not regularly cleaned out, can become a fire hazard themselves. A quick internet search/survey shows that most organizations recommend annual chimney cleanings and inspections to make sure that creosote and soot levels are kept at low levels. There are results from fireplace companies, chimney sweep associations, the US government, and DIY websites – here are two from eHow about furnace and fireplace chimneys.
Chimney sweeps sometimes offer a discount to forward thinking homeowners that schedule their cleanings in the slower spring months. The company we use just sent a postcard offering $25 off if we schedule in April or May. Last year we waited until October to get it done and lost out on this little benefit. We won’t make the same mistake again this year.