The ChimneyCare Blog
ChimneyCare's chimney sweep blog covers cleaning schedules, creosote dangers, inspection levels, and fireplace care tips for Bettendorf, Iowa homes.
Welcome to the ChimneyCare chimney sweep blog. Short, practical articles for Bettendorf homeowners who burn wood or just want their fireplace ready when winter comes. No jargon, no fluff. Just what you need to know about keeping your chimney in good shape.
How Often Should Your Chimney Really Be Cleaned?
The honest answer depends on how much you burn — here is how to tell.
Can I Clean My Own Chimney?
What DIY can and cannot do, and where a pro earns their keep.
7 Signs Your Chimney Needs Sweeping
Smells, smoke, and soot: the warnings your chimney gives you.
What Is Creosote — and Why Is the Glazed Kind So Dangerous?
The three stages of creosote and why stage 3 keeps sweeps up at night.
Chimney Inspection Levels 1, 2, and 3, Explained
What each NFPA 211 inspection level covers and when you need each one.
Do Chimney Cleaning Logs Actually Work?
What those hardware-store logs do — and what they cannot do.
Should You Get a Chimney Inspection Before Buying a House?
Why a fireplace should be on every home buyer's checklist.
Latest Articles
- How Often Should You Clean Your Chimney. What the NFPA recommends, and how your burning habits change the schedule.
- Can You Clean Your Own Chimney. What a DIY cleaning can and cannot do, and when it is time to call a professional.
- Signs Your Chimney Needs Sweeping. Smoke backup, strong odors, white staining on the masonry, and animal sounds in the flue.
- The Dangers of Creosote Buildup. What creosote is, the 1/8-inch rule, and how chimney fires start.
- Chimney Inspection Levels 1, 2, and 3 Explained. What each level covers and when each one applies to your home.
- Do Chimney Cleaning Logs Work. What these logs actually do, what they leave behind, and why they do not replace brushing.
- Why Get a Chimney Inspection Before Buying a House. Hidden flue damage, liner problems, and what an inspection report gives you before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
How often should my chimney really be cleaned?
Every year if you burn wood regularly — that's the NFPA recommendation. Even occasional use warrants an annual inspection. Our blog post on cleaning frequency walks through the details.
Can I clean my own chimney?
You can loosen light soot with a brush, but proper cleaning needs the right rods, brushes sized to your flue, and a way to inspect what you've done. Most homeowners miss glazed creosote, which is the dangerous kind. We cover the DIY question in depth on the blog.
Do gas fireplaces need chimney maintenance?
Yes — annual inspection at minimum. Gas doesn't make creosote, but vents clog and parts wear. There's a full post on it.
What is creosote and why does everyone warn about it?
It's the flammable residue from wood smoke, and the glazed stage-3 kind is the leading fuel in chimney fires. Our creosote post explains the three stages and what to do about each.
Questions About Your Own Chimney
Reading helps, but nothing beats an actual inspection. Call ChimneyCare at (563) 356-0061 to schedule your chimney sweep in Bettendorf. We serve Bettendorf and the surrounding Quad Cities.
Need a chimney sweep in Bettendorf?
Book your annual chimney sweeping or inspection with ChimneyCare today.