Clean Sweep

A chimney damper is a relatively inexpensive part of the inside of your chimney, but it is crucial to the operation of the fireplace. The damper is a door, usually metal, near the top of the chimney that controls the flow of air to the fire.

Using the yellow or blue flame gas logs in your fireplace is a popular option for many. If you're using these kinds of logs in lieu of wood, don't forget that they can still cause deposits in your chimney that will require regular cleaning.

Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis isn't a fictional need made up by chimney sweeps. The Environmental Protection Agency, Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Lung Association all agree annual inspection and cleaning is important for your health and safety.

Over time, a layer of soot residue can form on the inside of your chimney. It may completely block your chimney, giving smoke no place to go. Even before it gets to that point, soot build-up can stop your chimney from functioning properly.