How would you be able to tell if your chimney needs cleaning?

Question

What would you have to look for? Our house is over 50 years old and hubby says we never use the fireplace enough for any buildup to occur. I'm not so sure and would like other opinions.

Answer 1

if it is 50 years old and never cleaned, clean it.

if you use it only  a couple times per season, clean it every 2-3 years.

chimney fires can be very bad. we had one that resulted in no damage but scared the excrement out of me.

a cheap flue cleaner can be made from a wire brush and pvc pipe. the brush size should be close to the size of the flue. you do have to visit the roof and take any cap/screen off.

open any damper and brush each side of the chimney a couple of times.

Answer 2

Look up the flue or down the chimney. If you see

a crusty buildup on the walls of the flue pipe, your

chimney needs cleaning. This buildup is from the

combusted byproducts released when burning wood.

Don't put this off,doing so can cause big problems.

Now if your going to get it  cleaned, call a certified

chimney sweep, they know how to protect you and

your family from damage and possible health issues.

Have the sweep do a  visual inspection and have

him make sure all operating mechanicals are

working properly.

Answer 3

When you see the dust falling back if you fire it up.

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Answer 4

The only true safe way is visual inspection. Look for black tarry deposits and loose ash on the walls of the chimney, while looking you can check for loose mortar as well. every fire creates creosote,short burning small fires will create much more deposits than long burning hot fires. If the fireplace is that old an inspection is way past due. Repointing may be necessary also.

Answer 5

When the smoke won't go up it is time to have the chimney cleaned.

Or, when the room fills with smoke, like the damper is closed, only it isn't, it is time.  

Answer 6

Opinions are cheap and you run the risk of death or serious injury seeking 'opinions'. You should check out the website www.csia.org and see what professionals say. Many of whom are in the fire protection and construction industry. It is recommended that home heat and hot water flues be swept annually and it's inexpensive for most people to do so. 50 year old wood burning fireplaces should not be used at all, unless inspected by a Pro who can certify it as safe to use - not your hubby.

No disrespect to the man, I'm sure he's right about some things. He's just lucky enough to never have experienced a a smoky flame filled house and alas - ignorance is bliss!

If he is a real do-it -yourselfer, then send him to the CSIA in Indiana to become certified and see if he still thinks as he does.

Good -luck  

Answer 7

As long as you do not heat your house (or at least not with oil, gas, etc.) you might get away with it. But if you heat the house the chimney is used to get rid of those pesky things like carbon monoxide (deadly poison) and other combustion byproducts. After 50 years I would definitely get it checked! A gas water heater can also use the chimney.