fireplace inspection
Your Fireplace? Avoid Problems With Routine Fireplace Inspections!
Many homeowners love their fireplaces … yet are ignorant of their risks if not properly kept up. More than 25,000 house fires in chimneys and fireplaces occur every year in the U.S.
Most of these blazes are (caused by|linked to} creosote accrual (from burning wood) or flue blockages. Nearly all could be prevented 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 takes two hours, at most. It’s a detailed process of several steps. Hiring an experienced company such as Butler Chimneys, a longtime fireplace and chimney cleaner in CITY, STATE, makes certain the job is done right.
The process begins with a visual inspection of the fireplace, flue and chimney, to determine if cleaning is required. If so, a specialized cleaning procedure 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 reveal structural cracks and gaps caused by a range of factors – the worst being a hostile chimney fire. These voids, or patches of missing mortar, are spots where smoke and hazardous creosote can escape the flue system – an unwelcome 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. Parts 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 allow in 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 catch deterioration in the fireplace system and connecting structure. Early detection helps prevent costlier repairs in the future.
Wisconsin’s climate 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 vital that heat be channeled properly.
Likewise, the brick structure of the smoke chamber should have a refractory covering to keep smoke moving along and out. Masonry voids 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), particularly for homes with wood-burning appliances. Late spring is ideal. If necessary repairs are identified, 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 personnel 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 worry about risks or dangers.