Did I have a chimney fire?

How can you tell when you are having a chimney fire? A loud, crackling or popping noise from the chimney flue (imagine the sound of a large bonfire) A lot of dense, thick smoke coming into the fireplace or out of the top of the chimney.

How often do chimney fires occur?

There are more than 25,000 chimney fires incurring $125 million-plus in property damage every year in the United States. That damage is largely due to flames in the lower chimney migrating upward to crack, warp, melt, or otherwise negatively affect the masonry or metal chimney walls.

Will a chimney fire put itself out?

As long as the fire is contained inside the chimney system you will be safe — the chimney fire will burn itself out.

Does a chimney fire damage the chimney?

​Slow-burning chimney fires don’t get enough air or have fuel to be dramatic or visible and they often go undetected until a later chimney inspection, but, the temperatures they reach are very high and can cause as much damage to the chimney structure – and nearby combustible parts of the house – as their more …

Why is a chimney fire dangerous?

The most dangerous consequence of a chimney fire is that it creates pathways for carbon monoxide to enter your home and destroys the defenses that protect against a future house fire. If the damage is not repaired, a stray spark or second chimney fire could easily escalate to a house fire.

What to do if a chimney fire occurs?

It’s always best to call the fire department and evacuate your family or other house occupants. Depending on what type of fireplace you have, you can close the doors, vents, and air inlets to cut off the fire’s oxygen source (just don’t close the damper) after using your chimney fire extinguisher.

Where do most chimney fires start?

Chimney fires occur when creosote buildup or other debris catches fire inside the chimney. Conditions that encourage creosote buildup include burning unseasoned wood, restricted air supply (such as failing to open the damper), overloading the firebox, and cooler than normal chimney temperatures.

How common are chimney fires?

Chimney Fires occur at an alarming rate in our country, over 25,000 chimney fires account for over 120 million dollars in damage to property every year. A common cause of chimney fires is creosote inside the chimney catching fire and burning inside the chimney.

Why are sparks coming out of my chimney?

What happens during a Chimney Fire? The deposits within the flue can be ignited either by a spark or ember travelling up into the flue, or if an appliance is used at too high a temperature. Once the deposits are ignited they will start to burn and often sparks and flames can be seen exiting the top of the chimney.

Is a chimney fire dangerous?

Are small chimney fires dangerous?

When to call a chimney sweep for chimney cleaning?

Signs Your Chimney Needs to be Cleaned. If the scratch reveals that the creosote is paper-thin, no cleaning is needed. If it’s 1/8-inch thick, call a chimney sweep before the end of the season. If the creosote buildup is 1/4-inch thick, clean the chimney before using the fireplace again to avoid the possibility of a chimney fire.

What’s the best way to clean a chimney?

Put on goggles and a disposable dust mask. Shine a bright flashlight up the chimney so you can see what you’re doing. Using a fireplace poker, scratch a groove into the black creosote built up inside the chimney above the fireplace damper.

What should I do Before I light a fire in my fireplace?

If your fireplace has a blower, clean it thoroughly to prevent soot and ash buildup. Inspect the damper, which is the plate or valve that regulates airflow inside the chimney. Make sure it’s operating properly before you light each fire to ensure fumes vent outside, not back into your home.

How often does a chimney fire cause damage?

There are more than 25,000 chimney fires incurring $125 million-plus in property damage every year in the United States. That damage is largely due to flames in the lower chimney migrating upward to crack, warp, melt, or otherwise negatively affect the masonry or metal chimney walls.

When is the best time to clean your chimney?

If you neglected to clean your chimney after the cold season ended last year, you need to have this task performed before your first winter fire. Proper maintenance is critical for avoiding a chimney fire, which could put your home and family at risk.

How often do you need a chimney sweep?

Because many defects that lead to chimney fires, such as a cracked flue liner, aren’t visible to the naked eye, it’s crucial to have a Chimney Safety Institute of America -certified chimney sweep inspect your fireplace or woodstove, chimney, and venting system once a year.

What does it look like when you have a chimney fire?

Creosote is a highly combustible substance that often looks sticky and tar-like. It is produced by burning wood. If there is a large amount of creosote, it can burn for a long period of time and reach extremely high temperatures that can cause severe damage to the chimney system and to your home.