If you burn wood through the winter, your chimney needs an annual sweep — but the real answer depends on how much and what you burn.
The short answer: once a year
The CSIA and most insurers recommend a chimney sweep and inspection at least once a year, ideally before the first fire of the season.
Annual service clears the creosote and soot that build up every burn season and is the single best way to prevent a chimney fire.
What makes it more often
Burning unseasoned or softwood, frequent fires, or a chimney that smokes back into the room all speed up creosote buildup and can mean a mid-season sweep.
Seasonal and shore homes that sit unused also accumulate moisture and nesting that a pre-season sweep clears.
Signs it's overdue
A strong smoky smell, poor draft, or shiny tar-like deposits in the firebox all point to buildup that needs professional attention.
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