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Getting the flue truly clean in Elder Springs

How we plan a chimney cleaning at your Elder Springs home, from the drop cloths to the walk-through.

Smoldering fires and heavy buildup

Burn Wise also recommends hot fires and says a smoldering fire is neither safe nor efficient in most appliances. A fire starved of air or left to smolder for hours sends cooler, smokier exhaust up the chimney, which is how deposits build quickly.

The same guidance lists things never to burn, including household trash, cardboard, plastics, painted or pressure-treated wood, plywood and particle board. When a flue shows unusual deposits or residue, we mention what tends to cause it without any lecture. Better burning habits keep your chimney cleaner between visits, and they cost nothing to adopt. A short, hot fire leaves a cleaner flue than a long, cool one, which is worth remembering on mild evenings.

Cleaning with a fireplace insert in place

A wood-burning insert sits inside the fireplace and usually vents through a liner running up the chimney. Cleaning it well depends on how it was installed and whether the liner connects directly to the insert collar.

NFPA 211 expects an insert to be removed when needed to examine and clean the venting, though removal is not required when the venting can be cleaned thoroughly with it in place. We look at your setup, tell you which applies and explain any extra time before starting, so the price you approved is the price you pay. Reinstalling the insert is part of the same visit. If the insert does need to come out, we protect the hearth and surround before sliding it forward.

Handling ashes between cleanings

Ashes can hold live embers long after a fire looks dead. The National Fire Protection Association's heating safety tips put it simply: wait for ashes to cool, carry them out in a metal container, and set that container well away from the house.

A metal can with a lid, set outside on bare ground away from walls, decks and the woodpile, is a simple habit that prevents a lot of trouble. A thin bed of ash can stay in the firebox, but clear the rest regularly so it does not crowd the grate or the air feeding the fire. Our sweeps can show you what to keep and what to remove. If you are unsure whether the ash is cold, leave it another day before moving it.