Chimney Inspection: An Annual Event?

yes, of course you should inspect the chimney yearly. Homeowners can inspect a chimney, look for loose or warped parts, make sure everything is still properly connected, etc

whether it needs a cleaning is another issue.....

If you intend to continue running the wood stove next season, I suggest you learn how to clean and inspect the chimney. You will sleep better knowing it's condition. As you said you burned not so good wood last season. Doing that, and not brushing it down, you don't know what the buildup is. It needs to be done before burning again. Then a regular cleaning so you can determine the interval you need to do it. Most of us get away with once a year

There are a few different ways and equipment to clean it. It depends on the chimney location and configuration. There's no better place than here for suggestions how to do it. Just explain what your chimney setup is.

I agree with Xman23, and bholler. I dont do it professionally but I do my inspections and cleanings myself. Whenever I get a bit uneasy I plan a nice day for that particular season and do a scrub and inspection which takes me maybe 3/4 of an hour. I do this 2-3 times a year even though I often find I didnt need to do it. This makes me sleep better. As far as Ive been able to tell Im one of the few in the neighborhood who hasn't had a chimney fire. Part of this is due to regular inspections and partly because Im anal about moisture content of my firewood. I guess it comes from years ago when I was programmed to do clean multiple times a year when I was less knowledgeable (prior to my hearth.com awakening). Some scrub and inspect once a year, some less and some more and some hire the job out or do it themselves. It will come down to your personal preference and after youve done it a few times and record your findings you will get tuned in to how your stove performs.

Inspect & clean annually, no brainer.

Not to pile on per se, but I agree with the above. I ran 18-22% wood two years ago, 12-16% wood last winter, I sweep my own chimney every cord, and I still have a pro in with a video camera every two years.

I am burning 8-12 cords annually, for me it is very cheap compared to.

I would suggest maybe get an inspection now, sweep every cord or two over this coming season, have the pro in again next summer, and then maybe drop back to having the pro in every two years as long as there is no change in your sweeping schedule or the crud coming out of your stack. If your swept ashes go through a big sudden change in appearance, by all means bring the pro out right away.

Having the pro in is kinda costly compared to what you might be saving on your oil bill, but compared to having a totaled house from a chimney fire sweeps are inexpensive, just a question of point of view.