It’s summertime. The temperatures are warm, people are taking vacations, and the beaches are full of people. Chances are, you’re not thinking about your chimney at all—but you should be! Most people start thinking about servicing their chimney during the fall and winter; right before they start using it for the season. That makes fall and winter our busiest seasons. If you want to avoid the rush and secure an appointment with us, it’s best to act sooner rather than later.
Regular chimney inspections are incredibly important. You should have a professional inspect your chimney every year before you begin using it again. A visual inspection done on your own isn’t enough. There are many things that could be wrong with your chimney or fireplace that you are not aware of. There could be:
- Cracks in the flue pipe
- Damage caused by a chimney fire
- Blockages or obstructions in the flue
- Broken or missing flue pipe sections or
- Hidden breaches in the chimney
A trained professional will be able to identify and correct these issues. Here at Mr. Smokestack, we offer three levels of chimney inspection in line with the guidelines provided by the Chimney Safety Institute of America.
Level One
A level one inspection is ideal for chimneys that have been in regular use with no problems. In this inspection, all readily accessible parts of the chimney and attached appliances are checked.
Level Two
A level two inspection is appropriate if you have purchased a new home heating appliance, made a change to an existing appliance that is vented through your chimney, or suspect that there is damage to your chimney. This inspection includes the same things involved in a level one inspection, and accessible areas of the attic, crawl spaces, chimney interior and exterior, appliances, and chimney connections. It may also include a video inspection of the flue interior.
Level Three
A level three inspection is usually performed when there has been damage to the chimney or building structure. It includes everything involved in the level one and two inspections and an investigation of the concealed areas to examine known or suspected problems.
Even though you should ideally get your chimney inspected every year, not everyone does. If you have not had your chimney inspected you should do so and also watch for some tell-tale signs that your chimney is experiencing problems.
- Smoke is backfilling into a room
- You have difficulty starting a fire in the fire box
- There is water o moisture in the fire box
- There are bad smells (dead animals) or wet smoke smells
- You hear dripping noises inside the chimney
- You see bricks flaking or coming apart
If you notice any of these signs, call a chimney professional immediately. Your fireplace may not be safe to use.
Whether you need your annual chimney inspection or a specific problem addressed now is the time to call Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service! Don’t wait until everyone else does to get your chimney serviced. Contact us or ask questions or to schedule an appointment. We’ll be more than happy to help you with all of your chimney, vent, and fireplace needs!
