FAQs

• Remove soot
• Eliminate blockages
• Lessen built-up creosote
• Clean you firebox and damper
• Increase efficiency
• Create a safer home

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission states wood stoves, fireplaces, and chimney assemblies are estimated to account for more than 100,000 residential fires each year, resulting in 200 deaths.

The root cause of most of these losses is that most U.S. homeowners are unaware that chimneys require regular inspection and maintenance. Most homeowners are unaware of their chimney condition or maintenance. The fact that problems are rarely visible to the casual observer complicates the situation.

The National Fire Protection Association Standard 211 says, “Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents shall be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintaining, and repairing shall be done, if necessary.”

This is the national safety standard and is the correct way to approach the problem. It takes into account the possibility that even if you don’t use your fireplace much, bird or animals may build nests in the flue or there may be other types of deterioration that could make the chimney unsafe to use.

We recommend that you have your chimney cleaned annually or about every cord of wood burned. If you notice an odor or if your fireplace is not drafting properly, please call us to inspect it before continuing to use it.

The primary job of a chimney service professional is to inspect your chimney, clean and maintain your chimney, and to recommend changes to improve its performance and safety.

It is basically excess fuel that gathers in the form of black powder, flakes, or a baked-on glaze, depending on the various degrees of buildup. The cause is burning materials, such as wood or firelogs in your fireplace. There is no way to prevent the buildup of creosote in your chimney.

Creosote is one of the main causes of chimney fires. When there is excess buildup of creosote and temperatures rise, soot can ignite and a fire may start. This can lead to further damage as sparks shoot out the top of the chimney.

Conditions that encourage the buildup of creosote:

• Restricted air supply
• Burning unseasoned wood
• Cooler than normal chimney temperatures

Only well-seasoned wood is safe to burn. Do not burn wrapping paper, a pizza box, foam packaging, or other material that does not designate safety in fireplaces.

We recommend booking your annual chimney inspection 4 to 8 weeks before Thanksgiving or Christmas. The holiday season is our busiest time in the Shreveport area, and scheduling early (ideally in October or early November) ensures you get your preferred date and your fireplace is ready for safe use.

A standard chimney cleaning and Level 1 inspection typically takes between 1 to 1.5 hours (60 to 90 minutes) for a single flue chimney. This allows our professional technicians to thoroughly clean the system and complete a detailed safety inspection.

Common signs of a damaged chimney liner include cracked or missing flue tiles visible during an inspection, smoke filling the room (instead of going up the chimney), or deterioration of the masonry on the exterior of the chimney. A damaged liner is a major fire hazard and requires prompt repair or replacement.

The chimney crown is the protective concrete slab on top of your chimney. Signs it is cracked or damaged include visible cracks in the concrete, pieces of the crown breaking off and falling onto the roof or ground, or water stains appearing on the interior walls of the chimney or fireplace.

Red River Chimney Service specializes in the installation of Gas Logs to provide the ambiance and warmth of a fire without the hassle of wood burning. While we perform extensive repair, maintenance, and cleaning on all types of fireplaces and wood stoves, our new installation service focuses specifically on professional Gas Log installation.

Yes, absolutely. Increased and prolonged use of your fireplace or wood stove during the cold holiday season leads to more smoke production. If you burn damp wood or let the fire consistently smolder, this dramatically speeds up the buildup of creosote, which is the leading cause of chimney fires.

Our standard working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For severe issues like active blockages, furnace flue problems, or structural damage, we advise you to call our office immediately. We assess emergency needs on a case-by-case basis during our operating hours, especially when safety is a concern.

If it is already December, there is a chance our holiday schedule is already full. While we cannot guarantee an inspection on short notice, we strongly advise you to call us right away. We will do our very best to fit you in or place you on a cancellation list so you can safely enjoy your Christmas Eve fire.

Yes, absolutely. During a standard chimney inspection and sweeping, our certified technicians are trained to check for and safely remove bird nests, squirrels, and other animal blockages. We also offer and recommend Animal Guard installation to prevent wildlife from entering your chimney in the first place.

For fire safety, stockings should never be hung directly over the fireplace opening while a fire is burning. The safest place is on a mantel or hook well away from the heat and flames. Flammable materials must be kept a minimum of three feet (about one meter) away from the firebox opening.

Yes, it is generally safe to hang approved outdoor-rated LED lights on the chimney exterior. However, you must never nail or screw into the chimney masonry, as this creates holes that will allow water to leak into the structure. Use non-damaging clips or methods for hanging.

We recommend scheduling your post-holiday cleaning in January or February. This allows you to safely use your fireplace through New Year’s and ensures that the heavy creosote and soot buildup from peak season use is promptly removed, preparing your chimney for the rest of winter or storing it away safely until next fall.

Yes. Water damage is one of the most common issues we inspect for, especially after harsh winter weather. Our technicians can perform a detailed inspection to identify leaks, diagnose damage to the chimney crown, mortar, or masonry, and recommend necessary repairs, including our specialized chimney waterproofing service.