- PENSACOLA SHOWROOM: 7555 Highway 98 West, Suite A, Pensacola, FL 32506
- DESTIN SHOWROOM: 36054 Emerald Coast Pkwy #100, Destin, FL 32541
You look at your chimney every day; maybe you even watch smoke rise from it during the winter months. It’s something you don’t consider but is an integral part of your home. If there are issues with your chimney, it can affect more than the quality of your fire. That underscores the importance of yearly chimney inspections. A qualified chimney sweep service can find and eliminate the problem long before you have to pay a sizeable sum to rebuild your chimney. Let’s take a look at the importance of annual chimney inspections.
Three Kinds of Chimney InspectionsThere are three levels of chimney inspections; here’s how they work.
Level one is an essential kind of inspection appropriate for chimneys that are used frequently under normal conditions. It includes visual examinations by inspectors who will inspect easily reachable areas of the chimney, both interior and exterior, seeking any obstructions or deposits. This level of inspection doesn’t require any special equipment.
A level two inspection is advised when the fireplace and chimney have been modified, like a difference in fuel type, or if there has been an occurrence, such as a chimney fire or the shifting of the ground beneath the chimney. Level two inspections have everything in level one, plus more areas to be investigated, such as crawl spaces, attics, and basements. It also employs a specialized camera to exhaustively examine the inside of your chimney’s flue, assuring no deterioration or blockages are overlooked.
Level three inspections are the most sweeping type of inspection, usually reserved for when a level one or level two inspection implies more drastic issues. The inspection’s immediate goal is to analyze hidden hazards that aren’t accessible with the other two types of inspection. Access may mandate opening or removing a wall.
Potential hazards exist in your chimney, ranging from creosote buildups—a flammable substance that can easily ignite—to blockages such as wildlife nests or a cluster of leaves and trash that can force smoke and carbon monoxide back into your house. These examinations help catch and fix possible threats.
When a qualified chimney sweep conducts an inspection and identifies cracks, decaying bricks, or impaired liners before they become a problem, then inspections can prolong the lifespan of your chimney and diminish the risk of expensive repairs down the road.
Annual inspections ensure your chimney will function efficiently and thwart problems such as chimney fires or reduced heating capacity.
Many municipalities require yearly chimney inspections, particularly for rental properties. Insurance companies may also require yearly inspections by qualified chimney sweeps.
When a professional chimney sweep confirms that everything is in good order, you can rest easy knowing your chimney is secure and functional.
To Sum UpIf you want to ensure your chimney is in good shape, it should be inspected at least once a year, ideally in the spring or summer, before you need your fireplace and when demand for inspections is low. If it’s been some time since your chimney has been inspected, you shouldn’t wait any longer.
If it has been over a year since your fireplace and chimney were inspected, and you live in the Destin or Pensacola areas, contact us today. We will send a team of professional chimney inspectors to examine your chimney so you can be sure it will work when you need it. Don’t wait until the weather gets cold and demand is up; get in touch now.
