Question 1

Why should I clean my chimney?

Accepted Answer

A proper chimney cleaning reduces the potential for chimney fires by removing dangerous, flammable creosote and soot from the chimney.

Question 2

How can I tell if my chimney needs cleaning?

Accepted Answer

Chimneys should be cleaned when creosote buildup reaches between 1/8 and 1/4 inch in the fireplace throat or the interior pipe of your woodstove. Other signs that your chimney may need cleaning include difficulty starting or maintaining a fire, smoke entering the room, or strong odours.

Question 3

How often should my chimney be cleaned?

Accepted Answer

If you are using your woodstove or fireplace on a regular basis, as a general rule, have it cleaned and inspected once a year.

Question 4

How can I be sure my chimney is safe to operate?

Accepted Answer

Older fireplaces and woodstoves should be inspected by a Wood Energy Technical Transfer (WETT) certified chimney sweep. They can tell you if the chimney is in good working order.

Question 5

My fireplace smokes. What is the reason for this?

Accepted Answer

There are a number of reasons for a smoky fireplace: 
The opening of fireplace is too large. 
The chimney is too short.
There is improper air flow over the top of the chimney. 
The house is too airtight.
There are competing appliances (dryer, furnace, kitchen stove, exhaust fan).

Question 6

When I build a fire in my upstairs fireplace, I get smoke from the basement fireplace.

Accepted Answer

Hot air exiting from the fireplace being used is now creating a negative pressure in the home. Smoke entering the other fireplace or furnace chimney from the top has now become a fresh air return, sucking down smoke from the other flue.

Question 7

Using Your Fireplace Safely

Accepted Answer

A glowing fireplace brings warmth and comfort to any room, creating the perfect spot to relax or spend time with loved ones. To keep that cozy feeling safe, it’s important to follow a few simple precautions. Here are some key tips for enjoying your fireplace responsibly:

Have your chimney cleaned/inspected regularly. 
Ensure the damper is open before lighting and the chimney has sufficient draw. 
Turn off all exhaust fans when lighting the fire. 
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing, operating, and maintaining your fireplace or stove. 
Keep all flammable materials a safe distance away from the wood burning appliance. 
Begin fires with paper and small pieces of kindling.
Never use flammable liquids like gasoline or kerosene to start a fire.
Empty the ashes from your wood burning appliance when required, storing them in a covered metal container placed safely away from your home and other structures. 
Check your fire/CO alarms on a regular basis and replace fire extinguishers as needed.

Question 8

Choosing The Right Firewood

Accepted Answer

Use a dry seasoned wood: Seasoned wood has usually been dried for six to twelve months to eliminate excess moisture, allowing it to burn hotter, cleaner, and more efficiently. 
Hardwoods: Hardwoods like oak, maple, and ash are dense, which makes them burn longer and generate more heat. They provide steady warmth and leave behind hot coals that keep your fire going. 
Softwoods: Softwoods like pine and spruce are lighter and ignite quickly, but they burn fast and produce less heat. They work best as kindling to get a fire started but once the fire is going, hardwoods provide long-lasting, efficient heat. 
Storing your firewood: Keep the firewood off the ground and covered on top but open on the sides for airflow. Store away from heat sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chimney Cleaning

Why should I clean my chimney?

How can I tell if my chimney needs cleaning?

How often should my chimney be cleaned?

How can I be sure my chimney is safe to operate?

My fireplace smokes. What is the reason for this?

When I build a fire in my upstairs fireplace, I get smoke from the basement fireplace.

Using Your Fireplace Safely

Choosing The Right Firewood

WETT Inspections

What is a WETT inspection?

What is a WETT certificate?

What are the types of WETT Inspections?

What kind of report will I receive?

For what reasons would a WETT inspection be requested?

How long is a WETT inspection valid for?

Eavestrough Cleaning

How often should I clean my eavestroughs?

How do I know if my gutters are clogged?

What happens if I do not regularly maintain my eavestroughs?

What are eavestrough covers?