How Often Should I Have My Chimney Swept?
Kern County Chimney Sweeping values the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). According to the NFPA Standard 211, "Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom of deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs shall be done if necessary."
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This is a national safety standard, and considers that although you may not use your chimney much, or at all, animals could build nests in the flue or there may be other types of deterioration that could make the chimney unsafe.
I Heat with Gas. Should This Chimney Be Checked, Too?
Absolutely! Although gas is generally a clean-burning fuel, the chimney can become non-functional from bird nests or other debris blocking the flue. Modern furnaces can also have many problems when they are vented through average flues intended for older furnaces. It is imperative that you schedule annual inspections for all of your chimneys - gas furnaces included.​
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My Fireplace Stinks, Especially in the Summer. What Can I Do?
The smell is from creosote deposits (a natural byproduct of woodburning) in the chimney. The odor is usually worse in the summer when humidity is high and air conditioner is turned on. ​
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In order to eliminate the smell, a thorough chimney sweeping will help, but won't solve the problem completely. It is known that baking soda or even cat litter placed in the fireplace absorbs the odor well (after a chimney sweeping).