Scheduling Your Chimney Inspection: Be Proactive Not Reactive

Of all the areas within your home that need periodic repair, maintenance or professional evaluation, your chimney is one of the areas where it pays big to be proactive rather than reactive. Here’s why.

Waiting for something to go wrong with your chimney – a failure of one of the components, bricks beginning to fall away, a dangerous chimney fire – will cost you much more in the long run than a chimney inspection from a certified chimney professional each year.

What’s the purpose of a chimney inspection?

A thorough chimney inspection will look for two things:

1. Damage to any part of the chimney’s masonry and its components (chimney cap, flashing, crown, damper, etc.)
2. A potentially dangerous accumulation of creosote and/or debris inside the flue

Common types of damage uncovered by chimney inspections

As chimneys and their components age, damage can begin to occur. The idea is to spot the damage early so it can be fixed before it becomes an expensive repair project. Common types of chimney damage include:

• Brick spalling (loose/falling bricks)
• Water damage to the masonry or other areas
• Damaged chimney liner as the result of a chimney fire or old age
• Cracks in the chimney crown – which can lead to severe water damage
• Improperly fitted or damaged chimney cap
• Warped flashing that seals the gap between the roof and the chimney
• Smoke chamber surfaces that have become rough and don’t allow for smooth drafting of smoke
• Rusted or warped damper

A chimney technician who is certified through the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fireplace Institute will find these and any other problems and recommend the right repair services to get them fixed quickly. Repairs could include component replacement, general chimney repair, chimney rebuilding, masonry work, tuck-pointing, waterproofing and chimney cleaning.

An inspection will determine if the chimney needs cleaning

Another very important element of a professional chimney inspection is assessing the buildup of creosote and outside debris within the flue.

Creosote removal: Creosote is a flammable substance that forms every time a wood fire is burned. The more creosote inside the chimney, the more chance of a chimney fire. Certified chimney techs use special tools to remove built-up creosote and restore safety to your chimney and your home.

Removing debris: Over time – especially if you don’t have a chimney cap – various debris can enter the chimney. Leaves, twigs, dust, small-animal nests and dead small animals all can serve to hamper the drafting of smoke from your fireplace. A serious obstruction can cause smoke and deadly carbon monoxide to back up into your home.

As you can see, a chimney inspection covers many areas with the singular goal of keeping your chimney safe to use. A chimney that is clean and free of damage is the only kind of chimney that you can operate with peace of mind.

Get some of that peace of mind yourself by calling Chimney Solutions of Alpharetta, GA. We provide expert chimney inspection, chimney sweep and chimney repair services throughout the Atlanta region. Call us at 770-255-1300 to schedule your next chimney inspection.