A Missouri Homeowner’s Chimney Maintenance Calendar
What to check on your chimney in each season, which jobs you can do yourself, and which ones need a sweep.
Spring: look for winter damage
Missouri winters swing above and below freezing again and again, and each swing works on any water in the masonry. Spring is when the damage shows.
- From the ground, with binoculars: look for a missing or tilted cap, cracks in the crown, bricks with their faces flaking off, and gaps in the mortar.
- Inside: check the ceiling and walls around the chimney for water stains after a heavy rain.
- In the firebox: look for pieces of clay tile or mortar that have fallen from above.
- Book the yearly inspection now. Schedules are open, and anything found can be repaired over the summer.
Summer: repair season
Mortar, crown repairs and sealants all need warm, dry conditions to cure, so masonry work belongs in summer.
- Have crown, flashing, tuckpointing and liner repairs done.
- If the fireplace smells in humid weather, the flue has creosote in it. A cleaning and a damper that seals will help.
- Buy or cut firewood now so it has time to dry. Stack it off the ground, top covered, sides open.
- Keep the damper closed while the air conditioning is running.
Fall: get ready before the first fire
In fall, make sure the chimney has been inspected, the flue is clear, the alarms work and the firewood is dry before you light the first fire.
- If you did not have the chimney inspected in spring, do it now, and book early. September and October are the busiest months of the year for sweeps.
- Open the damper and look up with a flashlight. You should see daylight or the underside of the cap, not a nest.
- Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms and replace the batteries.
- Check that the firewood is dry: cracked ends, light for its size, a hollow sound when two pieces are knocked together.
- Clear leaves and branches away from the top of the chimney.
Winter: burn well and watch for warning signs
In winter, the homeowner’s job is to burn dry wood in small hot fires, handle ashes safely, and stop using the fireplace at the first warning sign.
- Burn only dry, seasoned hardwood. Never burn trash, cardboard, painted or treated wood.
- Build smaller, hotter fires. A smoldering fire makes far more creosote than a bright one.
- Leave about an inch of ash in the firebox to help the next fire start, and remove the rest.
- Put ashes in a metal container with a lid and keep it outside, away from the house.
- After an ice storm or high wind, look at the cap and the top of the chimney from the ground.
Stop using the fireplace and call a sweep if you notice
Smoke coming into the room, a loud roaring from the chimney, a strong tar smell, black flakes or tile pieces in the firebox, or a carbon monoxide alarm sounding. If you think the chimney is on fire, get out and call 911.
What you can do yourself, and what you should not
A homeowner can safely look, test and clean up from ground level and inside the house. Anything on the roof, inside the flue, or involving repair is a job for a sweep.
| Homeowner jobs | Jobs for a sweep |
|---|---|
| Looking over the chimney from the ground | Anything that involves going on the roof |
| Checking the damper opens and closes | Sweeping the flue and smoke chamber |
| Removing ashes | Inspecting the inside of the flue |
| Testing alarms | Removing glazed creosote |
| Buying and storing dry wood | Cap, crown, flashing, liner and masonry repairs |
When it is time for the professional part, we handle inspections, cleaning and repairs across Independence and the surrounding towns.
Sources
- National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 211, on annual inspection of chimneys, fireplaces and vents.
- Chimney Safety Institute of America, The Three Levels of Chimney Inspections.
Common questions
What month should I schedule a chimney inspection in Missouri?
April through August is ideal. The burning season is over, appointments are easier to get, and repairs can be completed in warm weather before you need the fireplace again. September and October are the busiest months for sweeps, so leaving it until fall means a longer wait.
How long does firewood need to dry before burning?
Six months to a year for most hardwoods, split and stacked off the ground with the top covered. Oak can take longer. Dry wood has cracked ends and sounds hollow when two pieces are knocked together. Burning wood that is not dry produces much more creosote and less heat.
Should the damper be open or closed in summer?
Closed. An open damper lets cooled air escape up the chimney and lets humid outside air and chimney odors come down into the house. If the damper is rusted or will not seal, a top-sealing damper at the chimney cap does the same job better.
How can I tell if my firewood is dry enough to burn?
Dry firewood has cracks in the ends, feels light for its size, and makes a hollow knock when two pieces are struck together. Bark that comes away easily is another sign. Wet wood hisses, smokes and leaves far more creosote in the flue.
What should I check on my chimney after a storm?
From the ground, look for a missing or tilted cap, loose or fallen bricks, and flashing that has lifted where the chimney meets the roof. Inside, check the ceiling near the chimney for new water stains. Call a sweep for anything that needs a closer look from the roof.