Regular chimney cleaning is essential if you use your fireplace frequently. It’s the only way to ensure the health of your chimney — and the safety of your home and family. All too often, however, homeowners make mistakes with this vital task. Here are a few common issues that you should avoid.

Skip These Common Chimney Cleaning Mistakes

1. Waiting Until Next Year

All chimneys should be cleaned and inspected at least once annually. If fireplace season starts in earnest and you still haven’t hired a chimney sweep to assess its condition, don’t put it off until the following year — this is a risky move that could threaten your home’s safety. Although you won’t have to wait long for an appointment if you schedule it in the spring or summer, you shouldn’t delay if it’s fall or winter. You’ll feel a lot more at ease using your fireplace, too.

2. Trusting Sweeping Products

You may spot “sweeping logs” that promise to reduce the amount of creosote that builds up in the chimney and reduces what is already there. While these and other similar products may be helpful for eliminating some of the harmful substance, they don’t replace the value and safety that a chimney cleaning professional provides. The logs are designed to dry the creosote, which makes soot very easy to clean. But your chimney sweep will perform a complete inspection to check for other contaminants, like branches and animals, to make sure the fireplace is completely safe to use.

3. Cleaning It Yourself

Some homeowners may attempt to clean out the chimney on their own using nothing but a flashlight, a long brush, and a cloth. It may be possible, but it’s generally not safe. If you haven’t hired a chimney cleaning expert in a while, for example, it’s likely that there’s a heavy amount of creosote built up inside. For that, you’ll need a chimney sweep to handle the job. They’re equipped to perform this task safely and to identify other issues that might pose a threat or require further attention.

Is it time to schedule a chimney cleaning appointment? Turn to the professionals at Abbey Road Chimney Sweeps. Proudly serving customers throughout Dayton, OH, since 1982, the locally-owned and family-operated company takes pride in offering a wide range of comprehensive services. You can trust these chimney sweeps with everything from standard inspections and thorough repairs to fireplace cleaning. Visit them online for more information, or call them at (937) 833-0505.