5 Common Fireplace Mistakes That Cost Longs Homeowners Thousands (And How to Avoid Them)

By Mike and Rodriguez Chimney LLC Team · Updated October 16, 2026

Skipping regular chimney sweeps, burning wet or treated wood, and ignoring small leaks are the top mistakes Longs homeowners make. These errors cause creosote buildup, chimney fires, and water damage, each costing $1,500 to $10,000 to fix. A professional chimney sweep in Longs costs $120–$250 and prevents these disasters. Start with an inspection before your first fire of the season.

A chimney sweep is a professional cleaning and inspection of your chimney’s interior, flue, and components to remove creosote, debris, and structural hazards. In Longs, where humidity and pine-heavy fires accelerate buildup, skipping this service costs homeowners an average of $3,200 in fire or water damage repairs annually.

Longs’s coastal climate and older homes, many built in the 1970s and 1980s, mean chimneys face extra stress. The combination of salt air corrosion, high humidity, and frequent wood-burning (especially during winter storms) creates the perfect storm for creosote buildup. This sticky, flammable tar is the #1 cause of chimney fires in the region, and once it reaches the third stage (glazed), removal requires specialized tools and costs $400–$800 alone. Our chimney sweep services include creosote scoring to break down buildup before it hardens, saving you money in the long run.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)|https://www.csia.org/)) recommends sweeping at least once a year for wood-burning fireplaces, but Longs homeowners often wait until they see smoke in the room, a sign it’s already too late. ‘We see cases where homeowners put off sweeping for two years,’ says Rodriguez, ‘then their chimney needs a full relining at $5,000 because the flue liner collapsed from creosote.’ A proactive sweep in October costs $120–$180 and adds a protective sealant to slow future buildup.

Pro tip: If your chimney hasn’t been swept since last winter, schedule a sweep before your first fire this season. Prices rise in November as demand spikes, but locking in a fall appointment now could save you 15–20%. Check our pricing guide for transparent cost breakdowns by service level.

Burning wet, treated, or low-quality wood turns your chimney into a creosote factory, and Longs’s high moisture levels make this mistake even costlier. Homeowners who use unseasoned firewood or pressure-treated lumber risk $2,000–$6,000 in repairs from accelerated creosote or soot damage.

Longs’s average humidity hovers around 70% even in winter, and firewood stored outside near the house absorbs that moisture quickly. Wet wood burns inefficiently, producing twice as much creosote as dry wood. ‘We’ve pulled out chimneys where the homeowner was burning pine scraps from their yard,’ says Mike. ‘That resin turns into a thick, glass-like creosote that requires power tools to remove, and often damages the flue liner in the process.’

The EPA’s Burn Wise program the EPA's Burn Wise program advises burning only seasoned hardwoods (oak, maple, or ash) with a moisture content below 20%. Softwoods like pine burn hotter but leave more creosote, and treated wood releases toxic chemicals that corrode chimney components. In Longs, where many homes rely on fireplaces for heat during power outages, the temptation to burn anything is high, but the cost of a chimney reline or replacement (up to $10,000) isn’t worth the short-term convenience.

Solution: Store firewood in a covered, elevated rack at least 20 feet from your home and 10 feet from the chimney. Split wood 6–12 months in advance to dry properly. If you’re unsure what you’re burning, ask your chimney sweep to inspect your woodpile during your next appointment, it’s a free service we offer to Longs residents. Learn more about safe wood-burning practices to keep your chimney, and wallet, protected.

Ignoring small leaks or cracks in your chimney cap or crown leads to water damage that Longs homeowners pay $1,800–$4,500 to fix. A missing or damaged cap is the #1 entry point for rain, which erodes masonry and rusts metal components over time.

Longs’s frequent summer storms and winter ice dams take a toll on chimney caps. A small crack or loose brick can let in just a few gallons of water per rainstorm, but over a year, that water seeps into the flue liner, mortar joints, and even your home’s ceiling. ‘We’ve had to replace entire chimney crowns because homeowners ignored a 1-inch crack,’ says Rodriguez. ‘By the time they notice water stains on their ceiling, the damage is already $3,000–$5,000 in repairs.’

The National Fire Protection Association the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)|https://www.nfpa.org/)) standard NFPA 211 requires chimneys to be waterproofed and capped to prevent moisture intrusion. In Longs, where chimneys are often built with local brick that’s porous by nature, a stainless steel cap with a rain shield is a must. These caps cost $150–$300 to install but extend your chimney’s life by decades. If your cap is missing, rusted, or has gaps larger than a quarter-inch, replace it before the next heavy rain.

Pro tip: Check your chimney cap after every storm. If you see water dripping from the flue or rust stains on the bricks, schedule a repair. Our water damage repair services include chimney recaulking and crown repairs to seal leaks before they cause structural issues. And if your chimney is over 20 years old, consider a full waterproofing treatment, it’s a one-time investment that saves thousands in the long run.

Skipping annual inspections means missing hidden dangers like blocked flues, deteriorated liners, or animal nests, each of which can trigger a chimney fire costing $5,000–$15,000 to repair in Longs.

A chimney inspection isn’t just about spotting creosote. It’s a full safety check for structural issues, gas leaks (if you have a gas fireplace), and even carbon monoxide risks. ‘Last winter, we found a squirrel’s nest in a chimney in the Longs Heights neighborhood,’ says Mike. ‘The homeowner had no idea, until the animal blocked the flue and filled the house with smoke.’ Animal nests, bird debris, and fallen leaves can all create dangerous blockages that force toxic gases into your home.

The CSIA the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)|https://www.csia.org/)) recommends a Level 2 inspection (which includes looking inside the flue with a camera) every year for wood-burning fireplaces. In Longs, where many homes have older masonry chimneys, this is especially critical. A Level 2 inspection costs $150–$250 but can reveal problems like: - Cracked or missing flue liners (repair: $800–$2,500) - Spalling bricks (water damage: $1,200–$3,500) - Improper clearances (fire hazard: $500–$1,500 to fix)

‘We’ve seen cases where a homeowner’s insurance denied a claim because they didn’t have a recent inspection,’ adds Rodriguez. ‘Always keep your inspection report on file.’ Schedule your inspection today, we offer bundled sweep + inspection packages at a 10% discount for Longs residents.

Using your fireplace as a trash incinerator for cardboard, plastic, or painted wood turns your chimney into a toxic hazard, and Longs’s older homes with single-wall flues are especially vulnerable to chimney fires from this mistake.

It’s tempting to burn old Christmas cards or painted scrap wood, but these materials release chemicals that corrode your chimney and create toxic fumes. ‘We’ve had to reline chimneys in Longs because homeowners burned treated plywood or Styrofoam,’ says Mike. ‘The chemicals eat through the flue liner in months, not years, and the repair bill is $4,000–$8,000.’

The EPA the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns that burning plastics, treated wood, or coated paper releases dioxins and furans, which are carcinogenic. Even ‘natural’ materials like cardboard can cause creosote to harden faster, increasing fire risk. If you must burn non-wood items, stick to untreated paper or dry, unpainted wood scraps, but never plastic, rubber, or foam.

Longs homeowners also make the mistake of burning trash to ‘clean out’ their chimney. This is a myth: the only way to safely clean a chimney is with a professional sweep. ‘We’ve seen cases where homeowners used a shop vac or even a broom,’ says Rodriguez. ‘This pushes creosote deeper into the flue and can damage the liner.’ If your chimney feels ‘dirty’ but you haven’t burned in a while, it’s likely just dust, schedule a sweep instead of risking DIY damage. Learn what you can safely burn in your fireplace to avoid costly mistakes.

Neglecting your chimney cap or damper leads to heat loss, draft problems, and even carbon monoxide poisoning, costing Longs homeowners $1,000–$3,000 in repairs and lost efficiency.

A missing or damaged chimney cap isn’t just a fire hazard, it’s a money drain. Without a cap, heat escapes up the chimney instead of warming your home, forcing your furnace or heater to work harder. In Longs, where winter temperatures can drop below freezing, this inefficiency adds $200–$400 to your heating bill annually. ‘We’ve seen cases where a $50 cap would’ve saved a homeowner $1,200 in utility costs over two winters,’ says Mike.

The damper is another often-overlooked component. If it’s stuck open, cold air rushes down the chimney, making your home colder. If it’s stuck closed, carbon monoxide can back up into your living space, a silent but deadly risk. ‘Last year, we responded to a CO alarm in a home on Highway 17,’ says Rodriguez. ‘The damper was rusted shut, and the homeowner had no idea.’ A simple damper inspection and lubrication costs $80–$120 but prevents this life-threatening scenario.

Pro tip: Test your damper monthly by lighting a match near the fireplace and watching the flame. If it doesn’t pull smoke up the chimney, your damper may be stuck. For chimney caps, choose a heavy-duty stainless steel model with a spark arrestor, these cost $150–$300 but last 10–15 years. Need a damper repair or cap replacement? We offer same-day service for Longs emergencies, including damper adjustments and cap installations.

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