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You should have your chimney inspected every year by a chimney professional. The inspection will determine if there is enough creosote buildup to warrant a cleaning, if you have structural problems such as loose brick or mortar damage, and if the chimney itself is in safe working order.

Most chimneys should be cleaned after a cord of wood has been burned. Of course, there are several other factors that could necessitate a different cleaning schedule: How often you burn, how you manage your fire, the wood you burn, how well seasoned the wood is, and the weather.

Creosote is a combination of unburned gases and unburned tar-like liquids. When these come in contact with a cooler surface, they condense on that surface. In your chimney, it can appear as a black or brown coating. It can be sooty, dry and flaky, sticky, or hard and shiny. These deposits can reduce draft and…

You should have your chimney inspected every year by a chimney professional. The inspection will determine if there is enough creosote buildup to warrant a cleaning, if you have structural problems such as loose brick or mortar damage, and if the chimney itself is in safe working order.