How Often Does A Chimney Need To Be Cleaned?

Spring and Summer are the best times to call for a chimney cleaning, when you are not using your heat. If you do not use your chimney you should still have it inspected because there could still be damage that occurs.

If you do not clean your chimney properly it can fill your house with smoke. And, yes you do need to have your oil-fired furnace chimney cleaned. Fuel oil is a dirty burning fuel so you should have that chimney inspected every year and cleaned due to the by-products of combustion.

Creosote is the by-product of incomplete combustion of any fossil fuel such as wood, oil, or coal. When creosote builds up it can ignite and cause a fire within the chimney and your property.

A smoke-filled house or a chimney fire will cost you a lot more than having your chimney inspected or cleaned annually. Be pro-active and call an expert like Waldoboro Chimney to help keep your family and home safe.

Chimney Services

Waldoboro Chimney 207-832-4667

Why I do not like Poured Liners for Oil Furnaces

Why I do not like poured liners for oil furnaces

   Poured liners are made of a masonry like product that is poured around an inflated tube that is put down the chimney. If the tube is not properly inflated it is inconstant, meaning if it is a 7” tube it can go from 7” to 6” or less. I have seen it all the way down to 3”.

   Moisture is a natural byproduct of combustion, the more efficient the unit the more moisture is produced, that moisture is transferred to the chimney. Poured liners are very susceptible to moisture and I have seen many wore right down to the brick making them totally useless. The stainless liners I use are guaranteed forever when installed properly.

   I have also seen poured liners that when I went to clean them big pieces were falling out because it had not been mixed properly, you do not have these problems with stainless liners and they are consistent all the way down.

   These high efficiency heating units that these companies are putting in, they are supposed to be telling their customers they need to put a stainless liner in the chimney, many of them are not doing this. I don’t know if it is a lack of knowledge or that they are primarily interested in selling the unit or don’t want to bother with the extra work. Either way they are leaving their customers short.

   These high efficiency units can destroy clay tile lined chimneys rather fast. They cause spalling which is a flacking of the tile on the inside of the flue and they can also cause what is called thermal cracking. In any event buyer beware if you are purchasing a highly efficient burner call us and we will install a stainless liner that you will never have to worry about any of these issues ever again.

Click here to see a videos of a poured liner vs Stainless Liner

The Three Levels Of Chimney Inspections

Provided by The Chimney Safety Institute of America https://www.csia.org/inspections.html

Level 1
If your appliance or your venting system has not changed and you plan to use your system as you have in the past, then a Level 1 inspection is a minimum requirement. A Level 1 inspection is recommended for a chimney under continued service, under the same conditions, and with the continued use of the same appliance. 


​In a Level 1 inspection, your chimney service technician should examine the readily accessible**portions of the chimney exterior, interior and accessible* portions of the appliance and the chimney connection. Your technician will be looking for the basic soundness of the chimney structure and flue as well as the basic appliance installation and connections. The technician will also verify the chimney is free of obstruction and combustible deposits.


Level 2 
A Level 2 inspection is required when any changes are made to the system. Changes can include a change in the fuel type, changes to the shape of, or material in, the flue (i.e. relining), or the replacement or addition of an appliance of a dissimilar type, input rating or efficiency. Additionally, a Level 2 inspection is required upon the sale or transfer of a property or after an operation malfunction or external event that is likely to have caused damage to the chimney. Building fires, chimney fires, seismic events as well as weather events are all indicators that this level of inspection is warranted.

There are no specialty tools (i.e. demolition equipment) required to open doors, panels or coverings in performing a Level 2 inspection. A Level 2 inspection shall also include a visual inspection by video scanning or other means in order to examine the internal surfaces and joints of all flue liners incorporated within the chimney. No removal or destruction of permanently attached portions of the chimney or building structure or finish shall be required by a Level 2 inspection.

When a Level 1 or Level 2 inspection suggests a hidden hazard and the evaluation cannot be performed without special tools to access concealed areas of the chimney or flue, a Level 3 inspection is recommended. A Level 3 inspection addresses the proper construction and the condition of concealed portions of the chimney structure and the flue. Removal or destruction, as necessary, of permanently attached portions of the chimney or building structure will be required for the completion of a Level 3 inspection. A Level 2 inspection includes everything in a Level 1 inspection, plus the accessible* portions of the chimney exterior and interior including attics, crawl spaces and basements. It will address proper clearances from combustibles in accessible locations. 


Level 3
A Level 3 inspection includes all the areas and items checked in a Level 1 and a Level 2 inspection, as well as the removal of certain components of the building or chimney where necessary.

Removal of components (i.e., chimney crown, interior chimney wall) shall be required only when necessary to gain access to areas that are the subject of the inspection. When serious hazards are suspected, a Level 3 inspection may well be required to determine the condition of the chimney system.

* Accessible: May require the use of commonly available tools to remove doors, panels or coverings, but will not damage the chimney or building structure or finish. 

** Readily Accessible: Exposed, or capable of being exposed, for operation, inspection, maintenance or repair without the use of tools to open or remove doors, panels or coverings.

Fireplace Safety

Keep you, your family, and your home safe with these fireplace safety tips.

• Get regular chimney inspections and cleanings. 
• Always have functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home.
• Keep the area around your fireplace clear from objects and combustible material. 
• Do not allow pets and children to play around the fireplace. 
• Keep the proper fire extinguisher handy. 
• Do not leave a burning fire unattended. 
• Clean out the ashes left over from previous fires. 
• Apply a fireplace screen to keep sparks contained. 
• Have a chimney cap installed. 
• Make sure that you are using the most safe and effective fuel for your fireplace. 
• If you have questions or concerns, contact a professional who can help. 

Fireplace Accessories

There are a number of fireplace accessories that can help to improve the appearance, safety, and functionality of your fireplace. Here are some commonly purchased accessories and their purpose.

• Fireplace screens come in various designs. They can be spark guard, flat guard, tri-fold, etc. Not only do they add a touch of elegance to your fireplace, but they also provide a level of protection from the high levels of heat coming from your fireplace. 
• A fireplace insert can burn wood, gas, or pellets and gets inserted in an existing masonry fireplace that is no longer in use. 
• Stove boards/hearth pads come in many different designs and fireproof materials. They protect the floor underneath your stove as well as the wall behind it.
• Fireplace doors and stove doors enhance safety, reduce intensity of heat, add style, and improve efficiency of heat. 
• Hearth rugs add style to your fireplace. They are tough and fire resistant.
• A fireback, or back plate, is a heavy cast iron object positioned up against the back interior of your fireplace. They date back as far as the 15th century AD and what they do is provide a form of protection for that back fireplace wall. 
• Ash buckets make it easy and safe to dispose of ashes from your fireplace. 
• Fireplace and hearth gloves keep your hands protected while you deal with logs, hot materials, etc.
• Fireplace cranes allow you to hang a cast iron pot above your fire for cooking.

CLICK HERE to visit Waldoboro Chimney Service's Online Store

Creosote Or Something Else?

Regular maintenance, inspections, and cleanings are essential for any fireplace in order to keep it safe, functioning properly, and clean. Creosote buildup, also combined with tar and ash, is a common reason why your fireplace may be emitting an odor. The amount of buildup is categorized as either a first, second, or third degree buildup. The third degree buildup, as you can imagine, is the most serious and difficult to clean. Unpleasant odor is not the only thing you may experience with creosote buildup. Allowing it to go untreated will put your family's health and home at risk. Odors coming from your fireplace may also be the result of moisture, animals, or negative air pressure. If you notice an odor coming from your fireplace or you suspect that there may be an issue with your fireplace, we recommend having it inspected by a professional. A professional will know what to look for and how to properly treat it. You deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your fireplace is not a concern for you and your family.

The Protection You Need

A chimney liner, as it sounds, is something that lines your chimney. It serves as a form of protection and is commonly made out of materials such as aluminum, metal, clay tile, and stainless steal. Because of the protection that a chimney liner provides, it is usually mandated by fire codes. So, what does a chimney liner actually do? It protects your home from both heat and combustibles. Did you know that a chimney fire can reach temperatures as high as 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit? By having a properly lined chimney you expand it's life by preventing the fire from deteriorating the inside. You also prevent your chimney from releasing harmful gases such as carbon monoxide into your home. A chimney liner will also help maintain proper venting performance, and possibly even improve the venting performance. If your chimney is without a liner or if that liner has any damage, it should be replaced by a professional who can choose the proper liner for your fireplace and install it correctly.