This is the number one question chimney sweeps are asked, especially in Jacksonville, FL, northeast Florida and southeast Georgia where we don't use our fireplaces as much as colder climates.  Additionally here in GA and FL we sometimes can't remember how often we burned last year, so we let it go and burn again.  The Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fire Protection Association both say you should have a chimney sweep clean your chimney and inspect it once a year or more depending on use.  In fact the Consumer Product Safety Commission's statistics show an average of 25,100 chimney fires responsible for 30 deaths and $126.1 million in property damage each year.  The industry standard is that when a pre-fab flue has a sooty build
 up that is 1/8 inch thick it is time for a sweep.  A masonry chimney can go a little longer, but needs to be cleaned at 1/4 inch thick sooty build up.   Here in Jacksonville, FL, northeast FL, and southeast GA our chimney sweeps follow this standard. Therefore a pre-fab chimney should have a chimney sweep every 7-10 fires and a masonry chimney needs to have a chimney sweep every 15-18 fires.  Of course that estimate depends on how long you burn, what type of fuel you use and several other factors.  In Jacksonville, FL, northeast Florida and southeast Geaorgia we see lots of homes where they burn pine which needs to be cleaned more often.  For safety's sake if you're in doubt have your chimney checked by a chimney sweep before you light a fire in the fireplace. Remember if it doesn't need a chimney sweep we'll only charge you for the chimney inspection. 

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