fireplace inspection
Your Fireplace? Avoid Problems With Regular 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 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 calculated in just dollars and cents.
A fireplace and chimney inspection typically lasts two hours, at most. 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, makes certain the job is done right.
The process starts with a visual inspection of the fireplace, flue and chimney, to decide if cleaning is required. If so, a specialized cleaning method 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 expose 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 places where smoke and dangerous 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, functioning correctly. In the attic, an inspector will look for structural gaps that can permit 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 allow water seepage. If interior-exterior joints aren’t sealed, water can pool and freeze, or soak into drywall. Ten years of hairline cracks can allow in enough water to topple the top 15 layers of brick on a chimney.
Routine fireplace and chimney inspections are about more than preventing fires. They also detect deterioration in the fireplace system and connecting structure. Early diagnosis helps prevent 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 waits 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 certain to have your fireplace and chimney inspected (and maintained) by a qualified fireplace cleaning and inspection company such as Butler Chimneys. All its professionals are certified by the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). Consistent 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.