Fireplaces & Chimneys: How Often to Clean ‘Em

There’s something magical about the first cold night of fall — the kind where you think, “Yeah, tonight’s the night. Let’s fire up the old fireplace.” 

You grab some logs, strike a match, sit back with your cocoa… and two minutes later, the whole living room smells like a campfire. Not the nice kind — the “uh-oh, open a window” kind.

That’s when it hits you: maybe it’s been a while since you had that chimney cleaned. Quite a while... Like maybe... Never.

Here’s the deal — fireplaces and chimneys aren’t just decorative holes in your wall. They’re working systems that move smoke, heat, and gases safely out of your home. And like any system, they need regular attention, especially if you plan on using them this winter.

The Once-a-Year Rule (and Why It’s Not Optional)

You’ll hear pros say: “Once a year, before heating season.” That’s not marketing talk — that’s survival advice. 

Even if you barely use the fireplace, creosote (that sticky, flammable gunk that coats the inside of your chimney) builds up slowly over time. One good fire, one spark in the wrong spot, and suddenly your relaxing evening turns into a visit from the fire department.

If you burn wood regularly — say a few times a week through winter — it’s smart to do a cleaning every year.

If you’re more of an “occasional fire on holidays” person, every two years might be fine, but only if the chimney cap, liner, and damper are in good shape and you’ve had a proper inspection confirming it.

What Actually Gets Cleaned (and Why You Care)

A full cleaning isn’t just sweeping out soot like a cartoon chimney sweep. It’s checking:

• Creosote buildup (that black tar-like stuff that loves to ignite).

• Animal nests — birds, squirrels, raccoons. I’ve seen it all. One time, I found a tennis ball and half a sandwich. Don’t ask.

• Chimney caps and crowns for cracks (because rain + soot = interior wall stains).

• Brickwork and mortar for damage. Small cracks can leak carbon monoxide or let in water. Both are bad news.

And for gas fireplaces, don’t assume you’re off the hook — vents still need checking, and spiders love to build webs inside pilot assemblies (don’t ask me why, they just do).

The Pre-Winter Inspection Routine

Before you light that first log, have the whole system inspected — even if you cleaned it last year. I can’t count how many people skip this and end up calling me mid-January with smoke stains above their mantle. That inspection can catch early signs of damage or blockage before they turn into chimney fires or smoke leaks.

So, if it’s been more than a year since your last cleaning, or if you can’t even remember when it was — that’s your answer right there. Get it done before the snow flies.

Go ahead, get that fireplace ready, roast your marshmallows, and enjoy the season — just make sure your chimney’s not plotting against you first.

Or alternatively...

Just tune in to a youtube video like the one below, put it on your TV, and turn the heat up in your home to create the illusion that you have a cozy fireplace. Less hassle, less to worry about.