Begin the New Year with a Chimney Inspection
A licensed chimney inspection is one of the most beneficial services you can schedule for your chimney. If it’s been more than a year since your last inspection, consider making a resolution to have it done before you get too far into the new year.
Dubuque Fireplace & Patio of Dubuque, Iowa, would like to share a little about what happens during a chimney inspection and why each task is important.
What a chimney inspector does
A licensed chimney inspector has the equipment and training to evaluate all readily accessible areas of your chimney system. Here are some of the tasks included in a basic Level 1 chimney inspection.
Check for excess creosote in the flue
Creosote forms when smoke condenses in the chimney flue. The more creosote, the greater the chance of a chimney fire. In fact, creosote starts most of the chimney fires reported in the Dubuque, Iowa, area each year.
Inspect the masonry for damage
Bricks with cracks and crumbling mortar can set the stage for major water intrusion into your chimney system. A chimney inspector will look for masonry defects and determine whether internal damage has occurred.
See if there is debris in the flue
Debris from nearby trees and small animals can narrow the flue passage, allowing smoke and dangerous carbon monoxide to back up into your home. Animal debris includes the nests they build, the food they store, and the occasional dead animal.
Look at the chimney’s parts and components
A Level 1 chimney inspection will assess the following parts and components:
- Chimney cap
- Chase top
- Chimney liner
- Concrete chimney crown
- Chimney flashing
- Fireplace damper or top-mount damper
Your inspector will be able to uncover early signs of damage and resolve problems before they get out of hand.
Other types of chimney inspections
A Level 1 chimney inspection covers the basics and should be scheduled annually. There are two other chimney inspection levels that your chimney may require at one point.
Level 2 chimney inspection
This inspection includes a video scan and is called for when:
- A chimney fire has occurred, and you need to find out where it happened and how much damage has occurred.
- You just bought your home and aren’t sure of the chimney’s condition.
- You’re selling your home.
- You’re planning to add a new appliance to your chimney system or make other modifications.
Level 3 chimney inspection
This inspection is performed when significant damage is known to exist. It often requires dismantling parts of the chimney structure or the home to reach the core of the problem.
Who should perform your chimney inspection?
The only person who should inspect your chimney is a licensed chimney technician. These individuals have training and hands-on experience with a wide range of chimney systems and know how to spot problems that the average person might overlook.
Schedule your chimney inspection
If it’s time to have your chimney inspected, it’s time to call Dubuque Fireplace & Patio. Start the new year right by giving us a call or using our contact form.
