Chimney Inspection Keeps Your Home Safe

Many people who own fireplaces rarely if ever use them, so why spend money on a chimney inspection? Unless you’ve fully sealed your fireplace and have had it checked out by a proper inspector, you aren’t off the hook for having a regular inspection performed to ensure it is up to proper fire safety and building standards. Even if you have a cap placed on the outer opening, there are many things that can get caught or buildup inside the flue, leaving your home more susceptible to fires, damage, and pest inhabitation.

Self Chimney Inspection

Between professional visits, you’ll want to keep your fireplace regularly swept and clean as well as give it checks for minor damages or problems that can arise. You don’t have to go climbing up into it and getting all sooty, but paying some attention to the visible areas can be quite helpful in spotting potential issues. A vacuum with a detachable hose and various brushes can be very helpful in cleaning the first few feet of the flue from your home. After sweeping away any large debris, use the vacuum to suction up the dust and take advantage of any curving brush heads that can help you really reach into difficult spaces. You will want to wear something you don’t mind getting a little dusty and be sure to cover the first few feet of floor with a protective surface before getting started. For those who use their fireplace more regularly, you might want to invest in a long-handled brush to help you reach all the way to the top rather than having to have professional sweeps regularly.

Annual Chimney Inspection

Until you’ve sealed off the fireplace, most people recommend an annual chimney inspection to make sure everything is in working order as well as to keep your home and family safe. One common problem that people overlook is that animals and other pests can build their home in the flue, leaving their fecal matter behind or even passing away, which isn’t the most pleasant thing to have stuck halfway up your home, especially in the summer. If you have large trees that arch near the opening on the roof, twigs, leaves, and other items can fall and stop up parts of the flue as well, which can be very dangerous.

If you’re a regular user of your home fireplace, then regular chimney inspection is a must for fire prevention. Too much build up of soot can be a fire hazard and before you know it a cozy night by the fire could end up with your home blazing too. Over time, the structure of the flue itself can become damaged from weather or ageing. Having the assistance of a professional is strongly recommended and they can catch any problems so you can have it properly repaired to avoid a costly and dangerous collapse. Your inspector can recommend upgrades and repairs as necessary such as caps, new lining, and changes of material to ensure it continues to work properly for many more years.