Nothing is cozier than cuddling up around the fireplace. With solid chimney liners to remove all that smoke, your family can experience all the warmth of the fireplace without any of the mess. But how often should a chimney be cleaned out? In short, regularly. Here are five facts about chimney maintenance to help you enjoy your fireplace better.

1. Historically, the development of the chimney was a tremendous breakthrough for home design. Any house or dwelling with a chimney could have a second floor, which was not possible before. A chimney contains the smoke from a fire inside the home and carries it outside safely away from your family. So, how often should a chimney be cleaned? Ideally, before you start using it heavily in the fall or winter.

2. The Anaconda Smelter Stack in Montana is the largest freestanding brick chimney in the world. Standing at a proud 585 feet, the Anaconda Smelter Stack requires quite a bit of maintenance to ensure its proper operation. Using flue chimney liners to carry the smoke out of your residence helps ensure the continued safety of your household. How often should a chimney be cleaned? If it is nearly 600 feet tall, quite often!

3. Scheduling a chimney inspection once a year can prevent problems from arising in the future, even if you do not regularly use your fireplace. Dirty chimneys can easily cause fires within the home that can damage your property or hurt your family. Cleaning a chimney is an entirely different process, so make sure you have an inspection before you hire professional cleaners. How often should a chimney be cleaned? Always after your chimney gets a proper inspection.

4. Using stainless steel chimney liners is really an investment in home safety. These sturdy steel liners prevent smoke from being released into your home or being deposited into the shoot of your chimney. So how often should a chimney be cleaned? Cleaning your chimney at least once a year is recommended, though it depends on how frequently you use your fireplace.

5. A fireplace kept dirty can lead to serious problems down the road. If you have not used your fireplace in a while, schedule an inspection to check for any animals that may have made a home inside of it. A good cleaning will rid your chimney of hazardous buildup that can cause fires and even carbon monoxide throughout your home. How often should a chimney be cleaned? It depends, but better safe than sorry.