fireplace inspection
Your Fireplace? Avoid Problems With Routine Fireplace Inspections!
Many homeowners value their fireplaces … yet are oblivious of their hazards
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 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 measured in just dollars and cents.
A fireplace and chimney inspection typically uses two hours, at most. It’s a thorough process of several steps. Hiring an experienced company such as Butler Chimneys, a veteran fireplace and chimney cleaner in CITY, STATE, makes certain the job is done correctly.
The process opens with a visual inspection of the fireplace, flue and chimney, to determine if cleaning is required. If so, a specialized cleaning technique 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 multitude 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, operating 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 combustible materials such as wood joists or faced insulation.
A fireplace and chimney inspection concludes 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. 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 allow in 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 detect deterioration in the fireplace system and connecting structure. Early detection helps avert costlier repairs later on.
Wisconsin’s weather doesn’t help. In winter, cold flue tiles are continually assaulted by 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 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 leak 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 necessary repairs are found, the weather is usually manageable to get them done … and to beat the fall rush.
Be certain to have your fireplace and chimney inspected (and maintained) by a qualified fireplace cleaning and inspection company such as Butler Chimneys. All its staff are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Ongoing training prepares them for any challenge.
Ready to take a big step for safety and fireplace performance? Contact Butler Chimneys to book 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.