Is Your Chimney and Fireplace Ready for the Cooler Weather?
When the heat of summer is still bearing down and autumn is on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to prepare your fireplace and chimney for the cooler temperatures to come. As early as September but definitely by October, appointments with reputable chimney sweeps like the experts at Northeastern Chimney fill up quickly. Schedule an appointment for a chimney inspection for safety’s sake, but that’s not the only reason. You don’t want to miss that first glorious opportunity to light a cozy fire in your fireplace as the cold weather arrives.
How Important is a Chimney Inspection?
A chimney inspection should be conducted annually, according to virtually all the leading fire safety experts. The purpose is to ensure that your fireplace and chimney will operate properly and safely. Each year, thousands of home fires occur when a fireplace is first lit in fall or winter. Lack of chimney maintenance is the primary cause. Circumstances such as obstructions in the chimney and flammable material in the chimney lining are among the culprits.
Your Part in a Chimney Inspection
Our uniformed experts at Northeastern Chimney arrive in a company vehicle to perform a thorough inspection of your chimney. For your part, we ask that you prepare the area where we’ll be working. We’re careful but would hate for our work to cause a treasured item to be broken. Remove décor and any other loose items in and around the fireplace.
Also, be prepared to answer some questions. We’ll want to know about your chimney system and how your fireplace has been working in the past. If you’re unfamiliar with the fireplace, no problem. We’ll make a full assessment of its condition during the inspection.
What’s Involved in a Chimney Inspection?
There are three levels of chimney inspections, and the details of each are outlined by the Chimney Safety Institute of America ().
Level 1
Basically, a Level 1 inspection is recommended for a chimney under continued use with the same appliance as in the previous inspection. All parts of the chimney interior and exterior that are readily accessible are inspected. The chimney technician checks for obstructions, soundness of the flue lining, chimney structure, and appliance connections and installation. Creosote deposits are a matter of concern, as well. Creosote is a tar-like substance made from deposits of combustion materials from wood fires. It is highly flammable and continues to build up inside the flue in layers until the chimney is cleaned.
Level 2
A Level 2 inspection is a requirement when a home is sold or the property is transferred to another person. This type of inspection encompasses everything in Level 1 and includes the use of video inspection. A special camera is used that checks the flue lining from top to bottom.
Level 3
If a potential hidden hazard is suggested by a discovery during a Level 1 or 2 inspection, a Level 3 inspection is needed. Some type of tear-down and rebuild of the chimney is typically involved.
Chimney Cleaning
It’s not unusual for a chimney cleaning to be recommended at the same time that an inspection occurs. You don’t need to be concerned that the sooty mess inside the chimney will affect your home, however. We use special equipment plus we lay a drop cloth in front of the fireplace so that your home is protected.
Contact Northeastern Chimney Today
If damage is found during an inspection performed in summer, you’ll have time for repairs to be made before winter comes around. Our qualified chimney sweeps at Northeastern Chimney can provide all chimney services that might be needed. We will also help you choose a new heating appliance from leading manufacturers if you’re ready to add an efficient new heating system to your home. Call today at 860-233-5770.