New Haven’s Trusted Chimney Sweep Company – Total Chimney Care
Homeowners in New Haven trust Total Chimney Care for comprehensive chimney and fireplace services. From chimney sweeping and inspections to relining, repairs, and more, our skilled technicians are dedicated to keeping your fireplace in tip-top shape. Make us the go-to choice for fireplace and venting services near you – we can’t wait to help. Reach out now.
Your Full-Service Solution for Fireplace & Venting Services Near You
If you’re in West Haven, East Haven, Hamden, North Haven, Branford, Orange, Woodbridge, Milford, Bethany, Guilford, or somewhere nearby, book your next chimney sweep, fireplace inspection, or masonry repair with us today. Our full list of services includes:
- Chimney & Fireplace Sweeping
- Oil, Gas & Propane Utility Flue Cleaning
- Chimney & Fireplace Inspections
- Chimney & Fireplace Repairs & Installs
- Firebox Repairs
- Chimney Relining
- Chimney Damper Replacement
- Chimney Cap Installation
- Chase Cover Replacement
- Chimney Leak Repair
- Chimney Waterproofing
- Flashing Repair
Scheduling with us is easy. Simply reach out by phone or fill out our contact form today.
How Often Should I Have My Chimney Cleaned?
Chimney sweeping (cleaning) is an essential part of home maintenance, no matter what type of appliance you use or fuel you burn. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends having your chimney inspected and swept (cleaned) at least once a year.
That said, there are factors that may cause you to need two – or even three – sweepings per year:
- If you use your fireplace several times per week in the winter, or if you use it year round.
- If you burn wood on a regular basis, you may have more buildup and need multiple sweepings.
- If your chimney is older or has bends, it may develop buildup quicker.
Regardless of when your last sweeping was, be sure to book one if you notice strong smoky smells in your fireplace, excess creosote deposits, smoke crawling back into your living space, or animal noises.
Sweepings and inspections are the best way to avoid fire risks, gas leaks, poor indoor air quality, chimney breakdowns, expensive fireplace repairs, and more.
Can a Dirty Chimney Cause a Fire?
Yes – actually, a dirty chimney is one of the leading causes of chimney fires
What is a chimney fire? It’s essentially a fire that’s contained to the flue and typically occurs when combustible materials – mainly creosote, but also soot, animal nests, outside debris, etc. – build up inside the flue walls and ignite.
During a chimney fire, temperatures inside the flue can exceed 2,000°F, which can crack bricks, melt metal liners, and even spread flames into walls and ceilings. That said, these are not always (or even often) loud and obvious events. Most chimney fires go undetected because they smolder quietly, damaging without noise or incident.
This makes them especially dangerous – and emphasizes the need for annual inspections – as you could be using a fireplace that’s damaged without knowing it. Using a fireplace that has had a chimney fires makes your home a lot more vulnerable to fires and gas leaks, so this isn’t something to downplay.
So, what are the best ways to prevent chimney fires from occurring?
- Have your chimney inspected and cleaned at least once a year.
- Burn only seasoned hardwoods (avoiding green or soft woods), as these produce less creosote.
- Have a chimney cap installed to prevent debris and animals from entering.
- Use your fireplace or stove properly, avoiding overloading or excessive airflow restriction.
- If you spot damage, have it repaired immediately, as cracks, rusted dampers, or loose flue tiles can make fires more likely or dangerous.
Chimney Sweeping Near Me: What Is Creosote?
Creosote is a dark, oily, sometimes tar-like, substance that forms inside your chimney when wood burns. It’s one of the most common byproducts of wood combustion…and a major cause of chimney fires. In addition, it’s corrosive to your chimney components, can cause odors to creep into your home, and will even restrict airflow if too much forms.
How is creosote formed? When wood is burned, it produces smoke filled with water vapor, unburned gases, and other particles. As this smoke rises through the cooler chimney flue, it condenses and forms into a sticky black or brown residue that clings to the chimney’s inner walls. This residue is creosote.
There are three stages of creosote:
- Stage 1: This type is flaky or dusty and typically easy to clean with proper chimney sweeping tools.
- Stage 2: This type is stickier and tar-like, and it requires more aggressive cleaning, often with specialized tools.
- Stage 3 (Glazed): This type forms as a hardened layer that’s extremely difficult to remove, and will require professional-grade mechanical or chemical treatment.
Now, creosote is not unavoidable, but you can slow the rate at which it forms. Be sure to burn only dry and well-seasoned wood, ensure proper airflow, keep the damper fully open when the fire is burning, build hot (faster-burning) fires, and have your chimney cleaned and inspected regularly.
Serving New Haven With Exceptional Chimney & Fireplace Services
New Haven, CT is a coastal city best known as the home of Yale University. Its walkable downtown, deep colonial roots, and exciting food scenes make it a popular spot to visit!
Another fun fact? New Haven lays claim to inventing the hamburger! That said, it’s truly world-famous for New Haven-style apizza (that’s not a typo). Apizza is a thin, coal-fired, chewy crusted pie – get it from legendary spots like Frank Pepe’s, Sally’s Apizza, and Modern Apizza.
What are fun ways to spend your day in New Haven?
- Explore Yale’s museums, like the Yale Art Gallery, Yale Center for British Art, and Peabody Museum.
- See a show at the Shubert Theater (which helped launch Broadway hits like Oklahoma! and My Fair Lady).
- Walk the Green, a classic New England town green at the city’s heart.
- Visit East Rock or West Rock Parks for hiking and checking out beautiful skyline views.
- Take a stroll through the Ninth Square for galleries, shops, and nightlife
Whether you’re a foodie, a student, an artist, or a history lover, New Haven has something for you.
New Haven Chimney Company: Total Chimney Care Is Here for You
When it comes to keeping your chimney and fireplace safer, cleaner, and operating at its best, New Haven homeowners trust Total Chimney Care. With decades of experience, certified technicians, and a commitment to quality service, we’re proud to be the area’s go-to chimney sweep company.
Contact us today and see why so many in New Haven turn to our team of experts year after year.
Our service area is exhaustive, ensuring folks in New Haven, Fairfield, Hamden, and more get the chimney and fireplace services they need.