Wood, Pellet, Gas Stoves Need to Be Inspected Before Heating Season

A black rain cap installed by Lancaster Chimney Sweeps.

As the weather starts to cool, fast approaching is the winter heating bill. For those with a heating stove (gas, pellet, wood or charcoal), that means now is the time for stove inspections and cleaning.

Stove inspections check the entire structure, from the stove itself up through the chimney, to make sure it is sound. Inspectors will also check that the rain cap is in place and that there is an 18-inch, or otherwise specified, clearance around the stove, according to Becky Cole, receptionist of Lancaster Chimney Sweeps and wife of owner Brett Cole.

Brett, left, and son Zachary stand in front of a Lancaster Chimney Sweeps van. Submitted Aug. 21, 2023

Level I cleanings are done visually and take about a half hour. An inspector will look at, in and down the system.

A Level II cleaning involves a camera to better study the inside of the chimney. These take about an hour, Becky said.

Stoves that haven’t been inspected for a while (over a year) should get a Level II check, Becky said. Before starting an idle stove again, a thorough inspection also should be done.

This ensures there aren’t any problems, including animals nesting in the chimney or another form of blockage forming.

For regularly used wood stoves, cleanings should occur once a year or for every cord of wood that is burned, Becky said. This inspection can be done anytime in the off-season.

“We like when people call in the summer because it’s easier to get scheduling done because fall is our busy time because that’s when people think of it,” Becky said.

Gas stoves burn cleaner, so they can probably get by with a cleaning every other year, Becky said.

Homeowners who notice smoke coming back into the house, noticeable buildup of creosote (similar to soot) or black smoke out of the chimney, should call for an inspection immediately, Becky said.

Once stoves hit 10 to 20 years of age, they need to start being inspected for deterioration. Signs include rusting of the stove or its pipe, warping or excessive smoking, Becky said.

A Lancaster Chimney Sweeps employee finishes repairs of a chimney's brick structure. Submitted Aug. 21, 2023

Deterioration may require replacement of parts or installation of a new stove.

To extend the time between cleanings, Becky recommended using seasoned hardwood in wood stoves. Burning trash and other wood creates more creosote.

She also recommends cleaning any glass doors with Windex and a razor blade as needed.

Lancaster Chimney was started in the 1990s. Brett wanted to own his own business and found an interest in chimneys.

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Rebecca Schweitzer is the special sections editor at Lancaster Farming. She can be reached at [email protected]