fireplace inspection
Your Fireplace? Prevent Problems With Routine Fireplace Inspections!
Many homeowners value their fireplaces … yet are oblivious of their dangers if not properly kept up. More than 25,000 house fires in chimneys and fireplaces occur every year in the U.S.
Most of these fires are (caused by|linked to} creosote accumulation (from burning wood) or flue blockages. Nearly all could be prevented by a fireplace inspection and cleaning – an investment whose payback can’t be figured in just dollars and cents.
A fireplace and chimney inspection typically uses two hours, at most. It’s a detailed process of several steps. Hiring an experienced company such as Butler Chimneys, a knowledgeable fireplace and chimney cleaner in CITY, STATE, makes certain the job is done correctly.
The process begins with a visual examination of the fireplace, flue and chimney, to determine if cleaning is required. If so, a specialized cleaning procedure employing flexible rods, a drill and whip head is used to aggressively remove creosote deposits from the surface of the flue system.
A video scan of the fireplace, and into the flue, can reveal structural cracks and gaps connected with a variety of factors – the worst being a hostile chimney fire. These voids, or patches of missing mortar, are spots where smoke and hazardous creosote can leak from the flue system – an unwanted situation in any home.
Are other appliances venting into the chimney? A chimney inspection confirms if they are and, if so, working correctly. In the attic, an inspector will seek out structural gaps that can permit deadly carbon monoxide into a home. They will also check for proper clearance from flammable materials such as wood joists or faced insulation.
A fireplace and chimney inspection ends on the roof. Parts of the rooftop chimney structure – caps, rain guards, flashing, tiles or bricks – are checked for structural integrity, and potential for water penetration into a home.
All are barriers against the outdoor elements. Flaws such as a crack in the crown can allow water seepage. If interior-exterior joints aren’t sealed, water can pool and freeze, or soak into drywall. Ten years of hairline cracks can leak enough water to topple the top 15 courses of brick on a chimney.
Regular fireplace and chimney inspections are about more than preventing fires. They also catch deterioration in the fireplace system and connecting structure. Early detection helps prevent costlier repairs later on.
Wisconsin’s climate doesn’t help. In winter, cold flue tiles are continually assaulted by heat from fires, potentially causing) stress cracks. A fireplace inspection closely {examines the flue system to ensure tiles are properly aligned, with no voids or imperfections. Creosote often waits in the chamber beyond, making it imperative that heat be channeled properly.
Similarly, the brick structure of the smoke chamber should have a refractory coating to keep smoke moving along and out. Masonry gaps here can allow smoke and embers to escape into places they’re not welcome, leading to a high risk of structure fires.
Annual fireplace inspection and cleaning is endorsed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), particularly for homes with wood-burning appliances. Late spring is ideal. If needed repairs are found, the weather is usually manageable to get them done … and to beat the fall rush.
Be sure to have your fireplace and chimney inspected (and maintained) by a qualified fireplace cleaning and inspection company such as Butler Chimneys. All its personnel are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Consistent training prepares them for any challenge.
Ready to take a big step for safety and fireplace performance? Contact Butler Chimneys to schedule a chimney and fireplace inspection and cleaning. A fireplace is easy to love – and even more so when one doesn’t have to fear risks or dangers.