fireplace inspection
Your Fireplace? Avoid Problems With Routine Fireplace Inspections!
Many homeowners relish their fireplaces … yet are ignorant of their dangers if not properly maintained. 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 buildup (from burning wood) or flue obstructions. Nearly all could be avoided by a fireplace inspection and cleaning – an investment whose payback can’t be figured 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 practiced fireplace and chimney cleaner in CITY, STATE, ensures the job is done right.
The process starts with a visual examination of the fireplace, flue and chimney, to determine if cleaning is required. 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 divulge structural cracks and gaps caused by a range of factors – the worst being a hostile chimney fire. These voids, or sections of missing mortar, are places where smoke and hazardous creosote can escape 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 properly. In the attic, an inspector will look for structural voids 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 finishes 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 permit 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 sufficient 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 spot deterioration in the fireplace system and connecting structure. Early diagnosis helps avert costlier repairs down the road.
Wisconsin’s weather doesn’t help. In winter, cold flue tiles are continually assaulted by heat from fires, looks at the flue system to ensure tiles are correctly aligned, with no voids or imperfections. Creosote often lurks in the chamber beyond, making it imperative 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 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 spotted, 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). Ongoing training prepares them for any challenge.
Ready to take a major step for safety and fireplace performance? Contact Butler Chimneys to plan a chimney and fireplace inspection and cleaning. A fireplace is easy to love – and even more so when one doesn’t have to be concerned about risks or dangers.