IF YOUR CHIMNEY IS CRYING OUT FOR HELP, CALL US!
TN / 931-967-3595 • AL / 256-285-4895
Did you know all top fire safety experts in the U.S. agree that every chimney should be inspected annually? And did you further know that now is the best time for a chimney inspection? Any legitimate chimney sweep company can verify that it is true. Trusted experts serving Tennessee and Alabama are Certified Chimney Professionals (CCPs) at A-1 Chimney Specialist. Below, find out what they say about the importance of and the right timing for a chimney inspection.
Are Annual Chimney Inspections Essential?It’s great if you think of your fireplace as your favorite source of heat or the coziest spot in winter. But safety should always be consideration #1 when it comes to fireplaces. That’s where chimney inspections come in. The safe use of your fireplace has everything to do with the chimney.
Unfortunately, chimneys are vulnerable structures. Problematic issues with chimneys can put your home and family at risk. A qualified professional has the expertise to spot potential danger and masonry issues that a layperson may not recognize.
The chimney flue, for example, is unsafe and should not be used if it has even a tiny crack in it. The flue liner runs up from just above the hearth to the out-of-doors. Professional chimney sweeps use special video equipment to thoroughly check the flue in a Level 2 chimney inspection.
Some chimney problems would be obvious if you climbed on the roof, removed the chimney cap, and used a flashlight to peer down the chimney flue. Then you could see if creosote build-up is blocking the chimney draft or if there is other debris in the flue, such as animals and their nests, leaves, or branches.
PLEASE NOTE: We do not recommend attempts at do-it-yourself chimney inspections. The main reason is that falls from rooftops happen frequently and have bad outcomes. Also, chimney sweeps get a significant amount of training before they qualify to inspect chimneys.
Schedule a chimney inspection in spring or summer—or you may have cause to regret it. The following are the top reasons not to wait until fireplace season is upon you before scheduling a chimney inspection.
Water intrusion is the biggest of all chimney problems. There are numerous ways in which moisture can get into the masonry. To name a few, the chimney crown may have cracks in it, the chimney flashing could have been installed incorrectly, or the mortar may have expired.
When water has infiltrated the masonry system, each affected brick must be replaced. Why? Because the movement the water creates during the freezing and thawing cycles of winter will eventually lead to the collapse of the bricks.
That leads to a leaning chimney, which is a worst-case scenario.
It takes time to make masonry repairs, and chimney technicians often have tight schedules. Also, masonry repairs require certain temperature and humidity levels, and the ideal environment is usually only created in the spring and summer months.
Every year, thousands of home fires ignite when fireplaces are used for the first time in a new burning season. These dangerous fires usually occur in homes where no chimney inspection has been conducted. Hidden chimney problems can exist without your knowledge, and some of these issues could potentially cause a hazardous fire. Regular inspections are crucial to ensure your fireplace and chimney are safe to use.
Once the cool weather arrives, people finally have their fireplaces on their minds. En mass, they contact chimney professionals for a chimney inspection, chimney cleaning, and any other chimney services required to get their chimney ready for winter. Scheduling usually becomes difficult if you are careful to choose proven, dependable chimney sweeps. Be careful to find trusted professionals for the work. Our unregulated industry is often infiltrated with unscrupulous scammers.
When we stress that now is the time for a chimney inspection, we hope you know it’s because we care about your safety. Give A-1 Chimney Specialist a call today! In Tennessee, call us at 931-967-3595. If you are in Alabama, you can reach us at 256-285-4895. Another option is to complete our online contact form.
