New England winters mean a lot of fires in the fireplace and a lot of hours for the furnace or boiler. Before the cold sets in, it's worth checking for these signs.
1. A strong smoky or campfire smell
Creosote has a sharp, smoky odor that gets worse on humid days or when the air conditioning runs and pulls air down the flue.
2. Black flakes in the firebox
Flakes or chunks falling into the fireplace mean creosote is building up inside the flue and starting to break loose.
3. Smoke comes back into the room
A partly blocked flue can't carry smoke up and out. It may be buildup, a nest, or a damper problem.
4. Fires are hard to start or keep going
Poor draft starves the fire of air. A clean flue drafts better.
5. Animal sounds or debris
Birds, squirrels and raccoons nest in uncapped chimneys. A cap keeps them out once the chimney is cleared.
6. White staining or crumbling brick outside
White, chalky deposits (efflorescence) and flaking brick mean water is getting into the masonry. That's a repair issue, and it gets worse with every freeze and thaw.
7. It's been more than a year
The National Fire Protection Association's standard, NFPA 211, calls for chimneys, fireplaces and vents to be inspected once a year. Whether you need a sweep depends on how much you burn, but the inspection is yearly.
What to do next
Book a chimney cleaning and inspection before your first fire of the season. At HQ Vent every sweep includes a camera check and photos, so you know the condition of your flue.
Need help? Learn about our chimney cleaning in Woburn or call (339) 927-1909.