fireplace inspection
Your Fireplace? Prevent Problems With Routine Fireplace Inspections!
Many homeowners value their fireplaces … yet are ignorant of their dangers 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 buildup (from burning wood) or flue blockages. Nearly all could be prevented by a fireplace inspection and cleaning – an investment whose ROI can’t be determined in just dollars and cents.
A fireplace and chimney inspection typically takes two hours, at most. It’s a thorough process of several steps. Hiring an experienced company such as Butler Chimneys, a knowledgeable fireplace and chimney cleaner in CITY, STATE, ensures the job is done right.
The process opens with a visual inspection of the fireplace, flue and chimney, to determine if cleaning is needed. If so, a specialized cleaning procedure using 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 multitude of factors – the worst being a hostile chimney fire. These voids, or patches of missing mortar, are areas where smoke and dangerous 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 properly. In the attic, an inspector will seek out structural voids 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 ends 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 gather 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.
Routine fireplace and chimney inspections are about more than averting fires. They also spot deterioration in the fireplace system and connecting structure. Early detection helps prevent costlier repairs in the future.
Wisconsin’s weather 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 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 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 advised by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), particularly for homes with wood-burning appliances. Late spring is ideal. If needed repairs are identified, 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 plan 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.