You may think that observing the fireplace and chimney yourself is enough to find any damage, but it’s not. There are many hidden damages and obstructions inside your chimney that only professional chimney inspectors can detect. They have specialized tools, video cameras, and techniques to perform the required inspection.
Keep reading to learn why professional chimney inspections are essential.
1. Detects Creosote Buildup
You feel comfortable and cozy after lighting the fireplace without realizing the dangerous things happening within. The burning wood creates harmful byproducts such as vapor, smoke and gases, and unburned wood pieces. This unburned wood moves from the furnace to the cooler chimney, forming a sticky black coating on flue liners called creosote.
Creosote is a highly combustible substance, and over time it forms a thick film on flue liners that needs cleaning. Otherwise, the higher temperatures inside the chimney can cause a fire. This fire can damage the brickwork, surrounding areas of the chimney, and even the house.
Chimney inspections will let you know if there’s a creosote buildup that needs removal. If the creosote is present in excess quantity, they might replace some components such as flue liners or dampers to eliminate any risks and offer adequate ventilation.
2. Prevents Water Damage
Rain and storm during summer and snow during winter can cause water damage. Moisture is the enemy of mortar joints in the masonry, and during this weather, there are greater chances of moisture retention.
At first, you may not notice any visible damage, but if you don’t get a chimney inspection, this moisture can cause holes, cracks, and other structural damage. Fixing water damage can save you from future problems and the expenses of rebuilding.
3. Check for Any Harmful Obstructions
Since you don’t use the chimney during warmer days, birds build nests and make chimneys their home. The windy weather also sends debris like leaves and twigs inside the chimney flue.
The blockade in the chimney opening prevents the escape of smoke and vapors from the fireplace to the outdoors. It can send carbon monoxide into the house and cause a lot of breathing and health issues for people inside the home. Carbon monoxide is odorless, invisible, and highly lethal; you wouldn’t notice its leakage unless it gets worse. A routine chimney inspection will help you detect and remove any obstructions that can cause a problem.
4. Discovers Hidden Problems
Chimney has many parts; some of them are hidden inside that you can’t observe. For example, flue liners, chimney crowns, and internal masonry are not readily accessible for observation. Masonry can expand or contract with temperature, and flue liners and crowns get damaged from water. Even minor damage shortens the chimney’s lifespan. Chimney inspectors use video scanning and other tools to assess the internal surface for any damage.
5. Required Proof for Insurance
Chimney inspections and cleaning are a mandatory requirement for many homeowners insurance policies in various regions. If there are any chimney fires in the future, you can claim insurance by proving that you’ve maintained the chimney through professional sweeping and inspections with the help of chimney sweeps milton fl. The chimney cleaning company will provide you with documents after services.
Types of Chimney Inspections
The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) has described three levels of inspections depending on the chimney conditions:
Level 1 Inspection
For this level, the professionals check the readily accessible parts of the chimney, fireplace, and burner. This inspection is suited when you had a chimney inspection within the last year, didn’t experience any water damage, or there’s no change in flue shape, fuel type, or other chimney components since the last inspection. Level 1 inspection is less expensive and extensive than other inspections.
Level 2 Inspection
This inspection involves video scanning of the chimney’s internal structure. It’s well suited for those who:
- Want to sell their home
- Have experienced fire, earthquake, or other damage to the chimney
- Changed their fuel type and material or shape of the flue
The video scanning lets you know the internal damage in the chimney so you can get the appropriate chimney repairs.
Level 3 Inspection
This combines the process of both level 1 and 2 inspections and includes partial chimney tear-down to check for severe damage. Professional inspectors only perform such inspections if there are any signs of hazards from initial level inspections, and they need to assess the root cause. It’s only required in severe cases and older chimneys where video scanning isn’t enough to reveal hidden problems. If you’re wondering who offers Charleston chimney inspection services that other companies cannot compare with, Clean Sweep Chimney Service should be the first name on your list.
Conclusion
Chimney inspections can identify the signs of damage that you often miss. The first step tochimney repair mobile al is professional inspections followed by chimney cleaning. They prevent hazards and help you avoid repairs and rebuilding expenses.
Enjoy peace of mind by scheduling a chimney inspection today from Creative Masonry & Chimney. They are leading chimney repair experts in Litchfield, CT, who follow the guidelines from the National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG) and Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA). They also offer routine chimney cleaning for optimal performance and safety.
