A chimney sweep isn’t just about removing soot, it’s about catching hidden dangers like thick creosote buildup, cracked flue liners, or blocked caps before they spark a fire. In Lakewood’s dry, windy conditions, even a small oversight can turn your fireplace into a tinderbox. Book a certified chimney sweep before winter hits to avoid these 5 preventable mistakes.
Mistake #1: Waiting Until You See Soot: But Creosote Is the Real Fire Hazard
A chimney inspection is a thorough evaluation of your flue, liner, damper, and chimney structure to spot issues before they become emergencies. The Chimney Safety Institute of America CSIA warns that 90% of chimney fires start from creosote, a sticky, flammable tar that builds up when wood burns inefficiently. In Lakewood, where homes often have older masonry chimneys and dry mountain air, creosote forms faster. You won’t see it until it’s a fire risk.
How to fix it: Schedule a chimney sweep Lakewood service twice a year, once before fall heating season and again after Christmas (when many homeowners overuse fireplaces). If your chimney hasn’t been swept in over a year, book an emergency inspection. Pro tip: Use seasoned hardwood like oak or maple, softwoods like pine burn hotter and create more creosote faster.
Mistake #2: Burning ‘Any Wood’: Lakewood’s Dry Climate Demands the Right Fuel
Many homeowners assume all wood burns the same, but green, resinous, or treated wood creates more creosote and toxic gases. The EPA’s Burn Wise program EPA recommends burning only seasoned hardwood (moisture content below 20%) to reduce creosote buildup. In Lakewood’s high-altitude dry air, unseasoned wood burns inefficiently, leaving a glossy, flammable creosote layer on your flue.
How to fix it: - Store firewood covered and elevated (at least 30 feet from your home) to prevent moisture absorption. - Burn only dry, split hardwood (avoid pressure-treated lumber, painted wood, or driftwood). - Keep fires hot and clean, burn only small, dry logs and avoid smoldering. If you’re unsure, ask a Lakewood chimney sweep to inspect your woodpile and flue before your first fire.
Pro move: Invest in a moisture meter (under $50) to test your wood, anything over 20% moisture is a fire hazard.
Mistake #3: Skipping the Chimney Cap: Lakewood’s Wind and Wildlife Are Silent Threats
A chimney cap isn’t just for looks, it’s your first line of defense against debris, animals, and downdrafts. In Lakewood, where squirrels, birds, and even raccoons nest in chimneys, a missing or damaged cap lets critters block your flue with leaves, twigs, or, worst of all, their own nests. The National Fire Protection Association NFPA reports that blocked flues cause 25% of chimney fires. Even without animals, Lakewood’s prevailing westerly winds can push embers down your flue if the cap is loose.
How to fix it: - Install a stainless steel mesh cap (not just a single plate, animals can still get in). - Check your cap annually for rust or gaps. Need a pro to install or repair one? Lakewood chimney sweeps offer caps with warranties. - Never use a cap with a spark arrestor if you burn softwood, it can clog and force toxic gases into your home.
Mistake #4: Ignoring the Damper: Your Chimney’s ‘Off’ Switch Is Often Stuck
A damper is a metal or masonry valve that opens to let smoke out and closes to keep heat in. But in older Lakewood homes (especially those built in the 1970s–90s), dampers rust, warp, or get coated in soot, leaving them partially open or stuck shut. A stuck-open damper lets cold air in, reducing efficiency by 30–50%, but a stuck-closed damper traps carbon monoxide and forces smoke into your home. The CSIA estimates 40% of chimney fires start because of damper failures.
How to fix it: - Test your damper before each fire season: Light a small fire, then close the damper. If smoke leaks into the room, it’s faulty. - Lubricate metal dampers with high-temperature silicone spray (never WD-40, it’s flammable). - If your damper is brick or masonry, it may need professional cleaning or replacement. A Lakewood chimney sweep can inspect and repair dampers during your sweep.
Warning: Never use a fireplace with a damper that doesn’t close completely, it’s a carbon monoxide risk.
Mistake #5: DIY ‘Cleaning’ with a Brush: Why Most Homeowners Get It Wrong
Grab a brush and a vacuum, right? Wrong. Improper DIY chimney cleaning can push creosote deeper into the flue, scratch flue liners, or even disrupt the chimney’s draft. The NFPA’s Standard 211 NFPA explicitly states that only certified chimney sweeps should clean chimneys taller than 15 feet or with complex bends. In Lakewood, where many homes have multi-story chimneys with tight turns, a DIY job often misses creosote in hard-to-reach spots, like the smoke chamber or flue bends, where fires start.
How to fix it: - Stop brushing if your chimney is over 15 feet or has any bends. - Use a professional for Level 2 inspections (required if you’ve had a chimney fire, use gas, or have a masonry chimney over 50 years old). - Ask for a video inspection, many Lakewood chimney sweeps use cameras to show you exactly what’s in your flue. See our certified crews in action.
Cost note: A Lakewood chimney sweep averages $120–$250 for a standard sweep, but it’s far cheaper than a chimney fire repair (which can run $5,000–$15,000 if the fire damages your roof or home).
Bonus: Lakewood-Specific Red Flags: When to Call a Chimney Sweep Now
Not all chimney issues are obvious. Here’s what Lakewood homeowners miss until it’s too late:
1. A ‘whooshing’ sound when the damper opens, means negative pressure (common in tight homes near Belmar or Sunnyside) pushing smoke back. 2. White smoke lingering in your room after lighting a fire, sign of blocked flue or poor draft (common in older homes with single-wall pipes). 3. Rust stains on the fireplace hearth, corrosion from creosote acids eating through your masonry. 4. Animals nesting (you hear scratching or see droppings), squirrels love Lakewood chimneys and block flues with debris.
Act now: If you spot any of these, schedule an emergency chimney inspection in Lakewood. Winter is coming fast, don’t wait until you smell gas or see flames.
| Task | Frequency | Cost Range | Local Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chimney Sweep | Twice yearly (fall & spring) | $120–$250 | Book early: Lakewood sweeps get busy in October! |
| Creosote Check | After every 6–8 cords of wood | Free (visual) | Thick, tarry buildup? Schedule a sweep now. |
| Damper Test | Before each fire season | $0 (DIY) or $50–$100 (pro) | Stuck dampers are common in older homes near Belmar. |
| Chimney Cap Inspection | Annually | $0 (DIY) or $100–$200 (install) | Animals love Lakewood chimneys, check for nests! |
| Flue Liner Inspection | Every 2–3 years or after a fire | $150–$300 | Cracked liners are a hidden fire risk in masonry chimneys. |
| Woodpile Audit | Before first fire | $0 | Burn only seasoned hardwood, softwoods = more creosote. |
Frequently Asked Questions
My chimney hasn’t been swept since last winter, is it safe to use this fall?
No. Creosote builds up fast in Lakewood’s dry air, and a chimney unused for a year can have dangerous buildup. Book a chimney sweep Lakewood service before your first fire. If it’s been over 2 years, get a Level 2 inspection, some sweeps offer free estimates to check for hidden damage. Pro tip: Use a certified sweep near you to avoid scams.
Why does my Lakewood fireplace smoke even when the damper is open?
Smoke in an open damper usually means blocked flue, poor draft, or wrong wood. In Lakewood’s high-altitude homes, old masonry or a cracked liner can disrupt airflow. Fix it: Burn only dry hardwood, check for animal nests, and have a chimney sweep test your draft. If the issue persists, you may need a flue liner repair, common in homes near Crested Butte Parkway with older chimneys.
Can I burn pine or other ‘cheap’ wood in my Lakewood fireplace?
Avoid it. Pine and softwoods burn hotter, create more creosote, and release toxic gases, especially in Lakewood’s dry climate. Stick to seasoned oak, maple, or ash. If you must burn pine, keep fires small and hot to minimize creosote. Need wood recommendations? Ask your Lakewood chimney sweep, they’ll show you the best (and worst) fuels for your chimney.
How do I know if my chimney cap is doing its job?
A good cap should prevent debris, animals, and downdrafts. Check for: - No gaps (hold a flashlight inside, light should shine through mesh, not gaps). - No rust (corrosion weakens metal). - No nests (look for twigs or droppings). If your cap is older than 5 years or has holes, replace it. Lakewood chimney sweeps install caps with warranties, ask about stainless steel options for longevity.