fireplace inspection
Your Fireplace? Prevent Problems With Regular Fireplace Inspections!
Many homeowners adore their fireplaces … yet are oblivious of their risks if not properly maintained. More than 25,000 house fires in chimneys and fireplaces occur annually in the U.S.
Most of these blazes are (caused by|linked to} creosote buildup (from burning wood) or flue blockages. Nearly all could be avoided by a fireplace inspection and cleaning – an investment whose return can’t be measured in just dollars and cents.
A fireplace and chimney inspection generally uses two hours, tops. It’s a thorough process of several steps. Hiring an experienced company such as Butler Chimneys, a longtime fireplace and chimney cleaner in CITY, STATE, ensures the job is done right.
The process starts with a visual analysis of the fireplace, flue and chimney, to determine if cleaning is necessary. If so, a specialized cleaning method 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 discover structural cracks and gaps caused by a variety of factors – the worst being a hostile chimney fire. These voids, or sections of missing mortar, are areas where smoke and dangerous creosote can escape the flue system – an uninvited situation in any home.
Are other appliances venting into the chimney? A chimney inspection identifies if they are and, if so, operating properly. In the attic, an inspector will look for structural gaps that can leak 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 winds up on the roof. Elements of the rooftop chimney structure – caps, rain guards, flashing, tiles or bricks – are analyzed 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 collect 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.
Planned fireplace and chimney inspections are about more than averting fires. They also catch deterioration in the fireplace system and connecting structure. Early diagnosis helps avoid costlier repairs in the future.
Wisconsin’s weather doesn’t help. In winter, cold flue tiles are continually exposed to heat from fires, leading to the flue system to ensure tiles are correctly aligned, with no voids or imperfections. Creosote often lurks in the chamber beyond, making it vital that heat be channeled properly.
Likewise, the brick structure of the smoke chamber should have a refractory layer to keep smoke moving along and out. Masonry voids 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 advised by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), especially 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 professionals 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.