If you have a fireplace or wood stove, chances are you’ve heard about chimney cleanings and inspections. But what’s the actual difference between the two? Are they basically the same thing? And do you really need both, or is one enough?

Here’s what you need to know.

Chimney Cleaning = Removing Gunk

Chimney cleaning (also called chimney sweeping) is all about getting rid of the buildup inside the flue. Over time, as you burn wood or use gas appliances, stuff like creosote, soot, and ash sticks to the chimney’s interior walls.

Creosote is especially nasty—it’s a sticky, highly flammable byproduct of burning wood. If too much builds up, it can catch fire and cause a dangerous chimney or house fire.

A professional chimney sweep uses brushes, vacuums, and even special cameras to remove this gunk safely.

When do you need a cleaning?

• If you burn wood regularly, once a year is the rule of thumb.
• If you smell something smoky when your fireplace isn’t in use, that’s a sign it needs a good cleaning.
• And if you see black, flaky buildup (or a tar-like sludge), you’re overdue.

Chimney Inspection = Taking a Thorough Look

A chimney inspection is more of a check-up. It’s about looking for damage or problems, whether you’ve used the chimney a lot or not. There are three levels of chimney inspections, and the level depends on what’s going on.

• Level 1 is the most basic lookover. This is what you get during a routine cleaning if nothing seems wrong.
• Level 2 is more detailed. It’s needed if you’ve had a chimney fire, made changes to your fireplace, or are selling the house. It usually includes a camera inspection.
• Level 3 means something serious is wrong, and parts of the chimney (like walls or bricks) might need to be removed to get a full picture of what’s going on.

When do you need an inspection?

• Every year, even if you don’t use the fireplace often.
• After a storm, earthquake, or lightning strike.
• If you notice weird smells, poor ventilation, or draft problems.
• Before buying or selling a home with a fireplace.

Why You Need Both

Here’s where many people get confused: a chimney cleaning is not a substitute for an inspection, and vice versa.

A clean chimney is a more efficient and safer chimney. You could have a crack in the flue liner, a damaged crown, or even nesting animals up there, and you’d never know unless someone checks. Without an inspection, these issues could go unnoticed and potentially lead to a chimney fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.

On the flip side, a chimney may look fine on the outside but have dangerous creosote buildup inside. So, if you skip the cleaning, you’re rolling the dice every time you start a fire.

Think of it like this:

• Cleaning = brushing your teeth
• Inspection = going to the dentist

The Best Plan

If you use the fireplace regularly, the best approach is to schedule a cleaning and an inspection once a year by a certified chimney professional, ideally before the burning season starts in the fall. That way, you’re not scrambling in November when it gets cold, and the chimney companies are booked solid.

For occasional fireplace users (like just a few fires around the holidays), you might get by with an annual inspection and cleanings when needed. A professional chimney sweep will tell you if your flue actually needs cleaning during their inspection.

A roaring fire is one of the best parts about winter—but only if your chimney’s up to the task. Cleaning keeps the gunk out. Inspections make sure nothing’s broken, blocked, or dangerous.

Call Keystone’s Fireplace and Stove in Mechanicsburg, PA, today to schedule a professional chimney inspection or cleaning to ensure your chimney and fireplace are ready to go when Old Man Winter arrives.