There is plenty a Joliet homeowner can do to keep a fireplace running well between professional visits — and a few things that are best left to a technician. This guide covers the safe, useful maintenance you can handle yourself, plus the warning signs that mean it is time to call Indigo Chimney Sweep. Doing the simple things well makes your annual sweep and inspection go smoothly and keeps your home safer all winter.
What you can safely do yourself
- Burn the right wood. Use only seasoned hardwood that has dried for at least six months and reads under 20% moisture on a cheap meter. Wet or green wood is the single biggest cause of fast creosote buildup.
- Build hotter, cleaner fires. A brisk fire burns more completely and leaves less residue than a smoldering one. Never burn cardboard, trash, wrapping paper, or treated lumber.
- Keep the damper and hearth clear. Make sure the damper opens fully before you light a fire, and keep rugs, furniture, and decorations at least three feet from the firebox.
- Empty ashes safely. Wait until ashes are completely cold — at least 24 hours — then store them in a metal container with a lid, kept outside and away from the house. Ashes can hold live embers far longer than you would expect.
- Look and listen. Glance up the flue with a flashlight for obvious buildup or nests, and pay attention to smells and drafts. You do not need to reach inside — just notice changes.
- Test your alarms. Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly during burning season and replace batteries twice a year.
What to leave to a professional
Climbing on the roof, brushing the full flue, sealing crowns, and any masonry or liner work carry real risks — both to your safety and to the chimney. A professional sweep also includes an inspection that catches cracked liners, failing crowns, and hidden blockages that a homeowner simply cannot see. Store-bought chimney brushes remove some surface soot but cannot reach the smoke chamber or evaluate structural problems.
Warning signs to call for help
Stop using the fireplace and schedule service if you notice smoke spilling into the room, a strong campfire smell when the fireplace is cold, black tar-like glaze on the flue walls, falling bits of masonry or white staining on the brick, or water in the firebox. These point to buildup, blockage, or structural damage that needs a trained eye.
Handle the basics yourself, and let us handle the annual sweep, inspection, and anything up on the roof. We serve Joliet and the surrounding towns and always give you a price up front.
Ready for your annual chimney check? Call (815) 296-9565 or book online.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if my firewood is dry enough?
Seasoned hardwood should be split, stored under cover for at least six months, and read below 20% on an inexpensive moisture meter. Dry wood is lighter, darker on the ends, and often has cracks radiating from the center.
Is it safe to clean my own chimney?
You can safely handle basic upkeep like burning dry wood and clearing the hearth, but brushing the full flue and any roof or masonry work should be left to a professional who can also inspect for hidden damage.
How do I dispose of fireplace ashes safely?
Wait at least 24 hours until the ashes are completely cold, then transfer them to a covered metal container stored outdoors away from the house. Ashes can hide live embers for days.
What kind of wood should I never burn?
Never burn wet or green wood, cardboard, trash, wrapping paper, painted or pressure-treated lumber, or driftwood. These create excess creosote or release harmful chemicals.
Why does my house smell smoky when the fireplace is off?
A campfire odor from a cold fireplace usually means creosote buildup in the flue, often worse in humid weather. It is a sign the chimney needs sweeping and inspection.
Can I use a chimney cleaning log instead of a sweep?
Creosote-sweeping logs may loosen some deposits, but they do not remove buildup from the flue or replace a professional sweep and inspection. Treat them as a supplement at most, not a substitute.
How often should I check my smoke and carbon monoxide detectors?
Test them monthly during the heating season and replace the batteries at least twice a year. Working detectors are your last line of defense against a venting problem.
When should I stop using my fireplace and call a pro?
Stop and call if you see smoke entering the room, smell strong odors from a cold fireplace, spot glazed creosote, notice falling masonry, or find water in the firebox. Call us at (815) 296-9565.
Written by Jamie Reed, operations manager at Indigo Chimney Sweep.