2. A Healthy Chimney
Follow these steps for a
Healthy and Functional
Fireplace
3. 1. Clean Your Chimney Annually
Over time, soot collects in your chimney and can
affect your chimney’s performance.
Too much soot causes poor ventilation and restricts the
air flow of your chimney.
With an increase of soot, small animals are attracted
to your chimney and will often create nests, which
only clogs your chimney even further.
Investing in a chimney cap will prevent any animals
from creating a home inside your chimney.
4. 2. Open a Window
While your fireplace is lit, a column of air rises up
into your chimney and exits through the top.
The air used in this process is from inside your home
and needs to be replaced.
If this problem continues unresolved, your chimney will
burn sluggishly and create a great deal of smoke.
A temporary solution to this is to open a window.
5. 3. Burn the Right Type of Wood
The right kind of firewood greatly influences how well
your chimney performs.
Seasoned wood will help your wood stove or
fireplace burn cleaner and more efficiently.
Wet and green wood can cause odor and smoking
problems, rapid creosote buildup, and chimney
fires, so it is best to stay away from these types of
wood.
6. 4. Know Your Fireplace
A more enjoyable experience comes from a better
understanding of your chimney.
For more information, please read the following blog:
Anatomy of Your Fireplace.
7. 5. Burn Hotter Fires
Fire will generally smolder due to restricted
ventilation from closed doors, vets, and dampers.
This causes a build of creosote on your chimney’s
walls.
To prevent this from happening, try to burn
smaller, hotter fires so that the wood burns
completely.
Opening the vents and damper wide enough to admit
air will help keep the temperature under control of a
hotter fire.
8. Get Flue!
To learn more about your fireplace and
chimney, Schedule a Chimney Inspection with Doctor
Flue, inc.
Visit Us Online: www.DoctorFlue.com
Call Us: 1-800-GET-FLUE