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Monaco Installation and Operation Manual
5.2 Chimney and Chimney Liner Maintenance
5.2.1 Why Chimney Cleaning is Necessary
Wood smoke can condense inside the chimney liner and chimney, forming a combustible
deposit called creosote. If creosote is allowed to build up in the venting system it can ignite
when a hot fire is burned in the fireplace and a very hot fire can progress to the top of the
chimney. Severe chimney fires can damage even the best chimneys. Smouldering, smoky
fires can quickly cause a thick layer of creosote to form. When you avoid smouldering so
the exhaust from the chimney is mostly clear, creosote builds up more slowly. Your new
fireplace has the right characteristics to help you to burn clean fires with little or no smoke,
resulting in less creosote in the chimney.
5.2.2 How Often Should You Clean the Chimney?
It is not possible to predict how much or how quickly creosote will form in your chimney. It
is important, therefore, to check the build-up in your chimney monthly when getting used to
the new fireplace until you determine the rate of creosote formation. Even if creosote forms
slowly in your system, the chimney should be cleaned and inspected at least once each
year. Do not allow more than 1/8 (3 mm) creosote buildup in the chimney.
It is recommended to clean thoroughly the chimney system at the end of every heating
season. During summer, the air is damper and with minimal air circulation within the stove
or furnace, it can mix with creosote and/or sooth deposits in the chimney system to form
an acid that could accelerate the corrosion process and induce premature decay of the
steel. Corrosion damages are not covered under warranty. Have your chimney system
cleaned by a professional chimney sweep. Use a plastic or steel brush.
Contact your local municipal or provincial fire authority for information on how to handle a
chimney fire. Have a clearly understood plan to handle a chimney fire.
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