fireplace inspection
Your Fireplace? Prevent Problems With Regular Fireplace Inspections!
Many homeowners value their fireplaces … yet are unaware of their risks if not properly kept up. 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 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 figured in just dollars and cents.
A fireplace and chimney inspection generally takes two hours, tops. 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, ensures the job is done right.
The process begins with a visual examination of the fireplace, flue and chimney, to decide if cleaning is advisable. If so, a specialized cleaning technique 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 divulge structural cracks and gaps connected with a variety of factors – the worst being a hostile chimney fire. These voids, or sections of missing mortar, are spots where smoke and hazardous creosote can leak from the flue system – an unwelcome situation in any home.
Are other appliances venting into the chimney? A chimney inspection identifies if they are and, if so, operating properly. In the attic, an inspector will seek out structural voids that can leak 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 winds up 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. Deficiencies such as a crack in the crown can allow 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.
Regular fireplace and chimney inspections are about more than averting fires. They also spot deterioration in the fireplace system and connecting structure. Early diagnosis helps avert costlier repairs in the future.
Wisconsin’s climate doesn’t help. In winter, cold flue tiles are continually exposed to heat from fires, leading to the flue system to ensure tiles are properly aligned, with no voids or imperfections. Creosote often lurks in the chamber beyond, making it critical that heat be channeled properly.
Similarly, the brick structure of the smoke chamber should have a refractory covering 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), particularly for homes with wood-burning appliances. Late spring is ideal. If necessary repairs are discovered, 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). Regular training prepares them for any challenge.
Ready to take a big 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.