According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),  "Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from creosote deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance and repairs shall be done as necessary".

Nationwide, Certified Chimney Sweeps are trained and very much involved with providing this important inspection and maintenance service. Left alone, chimneys and pipes can accumulate dangerous amounts of creosote (the flammable residue of incomplete combustion).

When ignited by high temperatures from the heating appliance, creosote can quickly fuel an uncontrolled fire. This high heat fire can ignite wood framing members near the chimney which can ultimately burn your entire house to the ground. Every year 100's of people died in chimney related fires.

Even chimneys venting oil or gas equipment need routine inspections to ensure efficient operation and to prevent dangerous carbon monoxide from collecting indoors.

Chimney sweeps are continually working to reduce losses (and all too frequently, tragedy) from unsafe chimney and heating systems. United States fire damage due to solid fuel heating systems (according to the Consumer Product Safety Division's 1991 report), exceeds 41,000 fires annually, costing over $200 million.

With those losses, and the hundreds of fire-related injuries and deaths, our work is cut out for us. We are dedicated to seeing a drop in the numbers of these statistics.