New Year’s Resolution: Schedule Your Annual Chimney Inspection

The holidays are over, and the tearing down of decorations has begun. We have all been thinking about a New Year’s resolution. I should eat better, go to the gym more, and go to bed earlier… The list goes on and on. 

One thing that you don’t usually have listed in your long lineup of resolutions is the maintenance of your fireplace and chimney. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Now is the perfect time to consider an annual Chimney inspection and sweep.

The snow hasn’t fallen yet, and Northeastern Chimney is still taking appointments for inspections and cleanings. Now is the perfect time to stop putting it off and call us for your chimney maintenance.

What Your Resolution Of a Well-Maintained Chimney Will Bring

• Peace of Mind. Caring for your chimney will bring you the peace of mind that you have done everything in your power to keep your family and friends safe. When you own a fireplace, safety is always first.

• Combat Creosote. A highly flammable byproduct of burning wood. Creosote forms as smoke cools and condenses inside your chimney. This is the leading cause of chimney fires. An annual chimney sweep will clean out that creosote and keep it at bay. 
  • Tips to combat creosote.
    • Burn only seasoned wood.
    • Avoid burning cardboard, paper, or trash in the fireplace.
    • Build hotter fires by using hardwood such as oak, maple, and hickory.

• Common repairs. Throughout the year, your chimney takes a lot of abuse. Here are some of the common issues we see year to year.
  • Cracked or crumbling mortar joints. Tuckpointing may be needed to repair deteriorated mortar. This process is when the damaged mortar is removed and replaced with new mortar.
  • Spalling bricks. Bricks that have flaking, chipping, or breaking apart.
  • Loose and missing bricks.
  • Cracked clay tiles in the lining.
  • Metal liners have corroded. 
  • Leaking chimney.
  • Freeze-thaw effect. This is one of the most damaging forces affecting chimneys in the winter. Water gets into small cracks in the bricks, freezing with cold temperatures, which makes the cracks expand. The cycle repeats as the temperatures fluctuate.
  • Crown and cap damage.
  • Blockage. Often, small animals make their way into your chimney, bringing in their twigs and leaves to make nests. This may cause an obstruction. Starting a fire with an obstruction will not allow the smoke to exit the chimney, causing a negative airflow where the smoke comes down into your home.

As we turn the calendar to 2026, take into consideration your fireplace maintenance as a resolution. Continue the winter with a safe fireplace that gives you the most efficiency. Now is the time to schedule your professional inspection. Start the New Year right with a call to Northeastern Chimney.

Schedule your inspection or cleaning soon by calling Northeastern Chimney. We service all of Hartford, Tolland, and Litchfield Counties. All our chimney technicians are trained and qualified. We are active in the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG).

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