Chimney inspection takes top priority, especially if you have a house with an active fireplace. It is even more important that you get this inspection undertaken in the warmer months, as these are the times your chimney is liable to be congested. This is mainly due to the leaves and twigs getting blown into your chimney. Apart from these nuisances, birds and other animals may make your chimney their temporary shelter. So summer is the ideal time to get these obstacles removed, once and for all.
In the winter months, the problems are of a different nature. Since the fireplace is being used constantly, there is bound to be a buildup of creosote. You just can’t afford creosote to build up as it blocks the escape route of water vapor, smoke and other semi burnt particles. Structural damage, also needs to be looked into from time to time. Having said that, most of these grey areas are not visible to the naked eye, and need closer inspection. There are three ways to go about this check up.
A level one inspection is needed for a chimney in a relatively good condition. Since the fireplace is being in regular use, only the easily visible and accessible parts will be inspected. If your fireplace has been replaced, then it will call for an inspection at the second stage. This is undertaken by checking the inside of the flues through video scanning. A third level inspection is required when there are major problems with the fireplace. As this involves active demonstration, it is adopted as a last resort.
Chimney Inspection
An annual chimney inspection has many uses. First and foremost it can save your house from a potential house fire, due to the creosote deposits. Creosote is an extremely inflammable substance, which if for some reason does not escape from the chimney chute, then it can spread to set fire to your home. Secondly, an annual chimney inspection by a trained expert can detect flaws that you may not notice. He may detect some points that over a period of time can lead to costly repairs.
One must ensure that your fireplace is clear from all dust particles and debris. The vents and other moving parts should be kept clean to keep them running without a hitch. It is estimated that nearly 30% of home fire casualties, are as a result of failure to keep the chimney clean.
A thorough chimney inspection involves checking of all the vital points like liners, smoke chamber, outer chimney and the fire box. A reputable chimney sweep will check your fireplace and suggest all that is needed in a basic checkup. You must expect to pay more money if there is excessive creosote buildup, as it needs special equipment and chemicals for proper cleaning. When replacing materials, keep one thing in mind that the procurement company provides a lifetime warranty on the replaced parts.
