fireplace inspection
Your Fireplace? Avert Problems With Regular Fireplace Inspections!
Many homeowners value their fireplaces … yet are unaware 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 blazes are (caused by|linked to} creosote accrual (from burning wood) or flue obstructions. Nearly all could be prevented by a fireplace inspection and cleaning – an investment whose payback can’t be determined in just dollars and cents.
A fireplace and chimney inspection generally uses two hours, tops. 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, ensures the job is done right.
The process starts with a visual analysis of the fireplace, flue and chimney, to determine 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 range of factors – the worst being a hostile chimney fire. These voids, or sections of missing mortar, are areas where smoke and dangerous creosote can escape the flue system – an uninvited situation in any home.
Are other appliances venting into the chimney? A chimney inspection identifies if they are and, if so, operating correctly. In the attic, an inspector will look for structural voids that can allow 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 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 leak sufficient water to topple the top 15 courses of brick on a chimney.
Regular fireplace and chimney inspections are about more than avoiding fires. They also spot deterioration in the fireplace system and connecting structure. Early detection helps prevent costlier repairs later on.
Wisconsin’s weather doesn’t help. In winter, cold flue tiles are continually assaulted by heat from fires, looks at the flue system to ensure tiles are properly 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 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 advised by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), especially 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 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). Ongoing training prepares them for any challenge.
Ready to take a huge step for safety and fireplace performance? Contact Butler Chimneys to schedule 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.