Winter Is Peak Chimney Fire Season: The One Inspection Homeowners Shouldn’t Skip

There’s nothing better than a cozy fire and cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day. 

Without proper chimney maintenance, however, a peaceful moment can quickly escalate into a dangerous situation.

By knowing what causes chimney fires and what you can do to prevent them, you can avoid this risk, protect your home, and thoroughly enjoy your fireplace all winter long.

Causes of chimney fires

Chimney fires usually appear after unsafe or improper materials get burned in a fireplace. “Common examples include unseasoned or wet wood, cardboard, and paper products,” says Tracy Zarriello, owner at Queen Sweep Chimney Plumbing & Heating in Brick Township, NJ.

When these materials are burned, they create creosote—which initially looks like a light powder. Over time, this powder turns into a thick, sticky, and extremely flammable tar. If you light a fire and the heat ignites this tar or causes it to drip downward, a fire is bound to occur.

“Without proper maintenance and cleaning, wood stoves also create chimney fires because they burn a lot hotter than traditional fireplaces,” explains Zarriello. 

Surprisingly, chimney fires may occur in prefabricated fireplaces as well.

In most cases, the only thing behind their internal panels is a metal firebox and combustible materials such as wood framing or sheetrock. If the metal firebox warps from extreme heat, the chimney piping connected to it can separate. 

“When this happens, heat or flames can reach the combustible materials surrounding the fireplace and ignite a chimney fire,” adds Zarriello.

How to inspect and clean your chimney

According to Glenn Gault, CEO of Gault Heating & Cooling in Hubbard, OH, a fire won’t start in a chimney that gets cleaned at least once a year because there isn’t enough flammable material to burn.

Therefore, it’s important to prioritize routine chimney inspections and cleanings.

“You can check your chimney yourself with the help of a flashlight and a small mirror but be sure to hire a professional at least every two years. Look for creosote buildup, cracks in the flue liner, blockages like leaves or debris, and rusted components” says Gault.

If you find any issues, stop using the fireplace and call a chimney pro. In the event there’s minor creosote buildup, you can follow these DIY cleaning tips:

Do the prep work

First, seal the fireplace opening with something, such as painter’s plastic. This will prevent soot from getting everywhere. Then, make sure you have goggles or a dust mask on to protect yourself from falling creosote particles. 

Use a liquid creosote remover and drop cloth

You can remove newly formed creosote, which tends to be light to dark brown, with a liquid creosote remover and a drop cloth. “Attach the cloth to an extension rod for better reach so you can remove creosote along the flue liner, which is the heat-resistant pipe in the chimney interior,” explains Courtney Klosterman, home insights expert at Hippo in San Jose, CA.

If the creosote layer is glazed and hardened, it’ll be impossible to remove it on your own. In this case, you need a pro who uses rotary chains or a mechanical creosote remover.

Brush the smoke chamber separately 

While this is a forgotten step, it’s vital for chimney fire prevention. “This is the No. 1 place where chimney fires start,” says Gault. Use a nylon or poly brush to do this. 

To prevent new creosote from layering and hardening, Gault recommends you burn a hot, clean fire for 10 to 15 minutes at least once a week— even if you aren’t using the fireplace regularly. “This is kind of the maintenance burn that chimney pros do to slow down creosote formation,” explains Gault.

Why a pro might be worth it

Chimney professionals use tools you may not have, inspect areas you simply can’t reach, and recognize red flags you might not be able to on your own.

According to Gault, most chimney fire dangers are sneaky: they hide high up in the flue, inside the smoke chamber above the damper, or in bends and offsets. 

Even if you regularly brush the flue, you might not reach these spots and in turn, increase the risk of chimney fires.

 “That’s why it's fine to do everything yourself one year and hire a professional every other year,” explains Gault. 

Of course, anytime you suspect major issues, such as excessive creosote buildup or water damage, a pro is worthwhile.