- PENSACOLA SHOWROOM: 7555 Highway 98 West, Suite A, Pensacola, FL 32506
- DESTIN SHOWROOM: 36054 Emerald Coast Pkwy #100, Destin, FL 32541
It’s one of those brisk, dreary winter days in Northwest Florida, and you’re relaxing at home. The gentle heat and roaring flames of your fireplace are crackling in the background. Everything seems to be going smoothly. Then, suddenly your living room is filling up with plumes of irritating smoke, and soot and hot embers are shooting out of the fireplace. It’s a scary flue obstruction event that unfolds countless times throughout the winter when the chimney and fireplace are not appropriately maintained. Here are five reasons why chimney & fireplace inspections are so necessary.
Prevent a Chimney FireMore than 1 out of 4 residential house fires are caused by creosote buildup due to the failure to clean the chimney and wood-burning fireplace properly. It is the leading cause of house fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Not surprisingly, chimney fires typically occur between December and February. A burning ember or the intense heat in the fireplace can ignite flammable creosote in the chimney that can spread to combustible materials throughout your house. Excessive creosote is one of the many things a Certified Chimney Sweep® looks for when inspecting the chimney and fireplace. It is the best way to help prevent a chimney fire.
In addition to checking for creosote buildup, a chimney & fireplace inspection is essential for ensuring toxic gases, including carbon monoxide, aren’t leaking into your home. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas. It can be deadly for those who don’t recognize symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, such as headache, nausea, vomiting, and confusion.
There are several ways dangerous fumes can leak into your home through the chimney and fireplace. For example, leaves, twigs, animal nests, and other debris can obstruct the flue vent. When the gases can’t be expelled from the chimney, a dangerous backdraft can occur that forces smoke and fumes into your living space through the fireplace. Excessive creosote, flue liner cracks, and masonry damage can also increase the risk of exposure to carbon monoxide.
Checking the chimney and firebox for signs of moisture intrusion is another critical reason for annual inspections. Although here in Pensacola, Florida, we don’t get the bitterly cold weather in other parts of the country, our humid climate and rainy weather are still problematic for masonry chimneys. Over time, the moisture absorption will cause the porous brick and mortar to decay, exposing gaps in the mortar joints. In addition, stormy weather can damage the flashing, chimney cap, and chimney crown allowing rain to leak inside your fireplace and chimney. Moisture inside the chimney can cause widespread damage to the masonry and internal components resulting in extensive chimney repairs. It can also promote the growth of mold, algae, and other bacteria that can be harmful to your health.
Annual chimney inspections can also help avoid costly chimney repairs due to excessive creosote, masonry damage, broken or missing chimney caps, flue obstructions, and wood rot, common chimney problems in Florida. Therefore, a chimney inspection is vital to detecting minor issues before more severe damage occurs.
Most homeowner’s insurance policies require fireplace owners to have annual chimney inspections to ensure the chimney and fireplace are correctly maintained. Suppose your chimney or fireplace is damaged in a storm, chimney fire, or other covered events. In that case, your insurance carrier will likely ask you to submit your latest chimney inspection report. Failure to properly maintain your chimney with annual inspections and necessary cleaning could result in the denial of your insurance claim. In addition, the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) of your Homeowner’s Association (HOA) may also require annual chimney inspections.
At Doodblebuggers®, your safety is our number one priority. Although your chimney and gas or wood-burning fireplace may appear to be in good working order, there may be “hidden” problems lurking inside that are difficult to spot without specialized tools and equipment. Our certified chimney sweeps perform chimney & fireplace inspections in Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola, and communities throughout Northwest Florida. Call 850-477-1151 or contact us HERE to schedule a service call today!
