When should you clean your chimney before winter? The definitive guide

The best time to clean your chimney is between June and September, before lighting it in autumn. If you wait until October or November, you will most likely struggle to get an appointment — it is peak season for chimney sweeps in Catalonia and schedules fill up quickly.

The rule is simple: clean the chimney when you are not using it, not when you need it.

Why summer is the best time

In summer, the flue has been unused for months. The soot and creosote are dry and compact, making cleaning more efficient and cleaner. In the middle of the season, when the soot is still impregnated with residual moisture from recent fires, the work is more laborious.

In addition, if the inspection reveals a problem — a crack in the flue, a damaged seal or a partial blockage — you have the whole summer to resolve it before lighting the fireplace. If you discover it in October when it is already cold, the urgency makes everything more difficult.

There is another practical reason: chimney sweeps have more availability in summer. In September and October, schedules fill up within days. In June or July, you can choose the day and time that suits you.

What if it is already October or November?

Do not panic. If the fireplace has only gone one year without inspection and you use it moderately, the priority is simply to have it checked before lighting it, even if time is short.

What you should not do is light it without an inspection if: it has not been cleaned for more than two years, you have noticed smoke entering the room, or you burned a lot of damp firewood last season. In any of these cases, call before lighting it.

How often should it be cleaned?

Once a year is the general recommendation for any regularly used fireplace. However, there are nuances depending on usage:

• If you use it rarely (fewer than 30 days a year): every two years may be sufficient, although an annual inspection is always safer.
• If you use it frequently (more than 60 days): once a year is essential.
• If you burn damp firewood: you may need two inspections a year. Damp wood produces twice as much creosote as dry wood.

Signs that you cannot wait until next season

There are signs that indicate the chimney needs an immediate inspection, regardless of when it was last checked:

• Smoke enters the room when you light the fireplace.
• You notice a burning smell in the room even when the fireplace is not in use.
• The draught is clearly weaker than before.
• You have had an incident where flames were visible outside the flue or on the roof.
• The chimney has not been inspected for more than two years.

Annual maintenance: the solution so you do not have to remember

The most convenient option is to arrange a fixed annual inspection, always at the same time of year. We can remind you when the date approaches. That way, you do not have to remember when the last inspection was or whether it is due.

It is the option chosen by more and more customers who do not want to think about when it is due — they simply want to light the fireplace in October and have it work.

---

Frequently asked questions