fireplace inspection
Your Fireplace? Avert Problems With Regular Fireplace Inspections!
Many homeowners relish their fireplaces … yet are unaware of their risks if not properly maintained. More than 25,000 house fires in chimneys and fireplaces happen annually 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 return can’t be figured in just dollars and cents.
A fireplace and chimney inspection generally lasts 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 inspection of the fireplace, flue and chimney, to determine if cleaning is needed. 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 show 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 unwanted situation in any home.
Are other appliances venting into the chimney? A chimney inspection finds if they are and, if so, operating correctly. In the attic, an inspector will look for structural gaps that can permit deadly carbon monoxide into a home. They will also check for proper clearance from combustible materials such as wood joists or faced insulation.
A fireplace and chimney inspection finishes on the roof. Elements 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. Shortcomings such as a crack in the crown can permit 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 sufficient water to topple the top 15 layers of brick on a chimney.
Routine fireplace and chimney inspections are about more than averting fires. They also catch deterioration in the fireplace system and connecting structure. Early detection helps avoid costlier repairs in the future.
Wisconsin’s climate doesn’t help. In winter, cold flue tiles are continually assaulted by heat from fires, looks at the flue system to ensure tiles are properly aligned, with no voids or imperfections. Creosote often lurks in the chamber beyond, making it vital that heat be channeled properly.
Similarly, the brick structure of the smoke chamber should have a refractory layer to keep smoke moving along and out. Masonry gaps here can permit 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), 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 personnel are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Consistent training prepares them for any challenge.
Ready to take a huge 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 worry about risks or dangers.